Under the editorship of Mr. John Austin Stevens we may look for a valuable and permanent publication in the "Magazine of American History, with Notes and Queries," of which A. S. Barnes & Co. are the publishers. The position of the editor as librarian of the New York Historical Society will, or at all events should, be an additional source of strength to the publication. Experience shows that literary undertakings which possess more merit than popularity can derive great advantages from the official countenance of societies pursuing allied subjects of investigation. Properly managed, the two modes of obtaining union in action can be made to help each other materially. This hint will perhaps be considered not amiss since the pamphlet, printed with the neatness characteristic of such works, which lies before us, is but a specimen and preliminary number, which is to be followed by monthly issues in quarto form, at $5 yearly, if sufficient support is obtained. The editor says: "Each number will contain: I. An original article on some point of American history from a recognized and authoritative pen. II. A biographical sketch of some character of historic interest. III. Original documents, diaries, and letters. IV. Reprints of rare documents. V. Notes and queries in the well-known English form. VI. Reports of the proceedings of the New York Historical Society. VII. Notices of historical publications." He also promises to keep it free from sectional prejudices and "from personality and controversy in any form." He has ready for publication a large number of interesting old manuscripts contributed by historians and collectors, and it is to be hoped his attempt to establish a periodical for historical literature will be sustained. BOOKS RECEIVED. "_Materialism and Theology._" JAMES MARTINEAU, LL.D. G. P. Putnam's Sons. "_Waverley Novels_," Riverside Edition, "Heart of Midlothian." Hurd & Houghton. _The Same._ "Bride of Lammermoor." _The Same._ "The Monastery." "_Footsteps of the Master._" HARRIET B. STOWE. J. B. Ford & Co. "_Functions of the Brain._" Illustrated. D. FERRIER, M.D. G. P. Putnam's Sons. "_The Plains of the Great West._" Illustrated. Lieutenant Colonel RICHARD I. DODGE. G. P. Putnam's Sons. "_The Sons of Godwin._" A Tragedy. WILLIAM LEIGHTON, Jr. J. B. Lippincott & Co. "_Personal Relations Between Librarian and Readers._" SAM. S. GREEN. Chas. Hamilton, Worcester, Mass. "_Special Report on Worcester Free Library._" The same. "_Tales from Two Hemispheres._" H. H. BOYESEN. Jas. R. Osgood & Co. "_The Problems of Problems._" CLARK BRADEN. Chase & Hall, Cincinnati. "_Archology_; or, The Science of Government." V. BLAKESLEE. A. Roman & Co. "_Woman as a Musician._" FANNY RAYMOND RITTER. Ed. Schuberth & Co. "_Vivisection._" Copp Clark & Co., Toronto. "_Cholera Facts of the Last Year._" E. MCCLELLAN, M.D. Richmond & Louisville Medical Journal office. "_Art Journal._" Photo-Engraving Co., New York.