A concise monograph,[4] lately translated from the German, is interesting as an argument in favor of gas as against electricity for artificial lighting. The author is impressed with the fact that the triumphs of electric lighting have been overestimated, and that its healthful, legitimate development has been retarded by the hosts of speculators. Dr. Schilling quotes many statistics, from both European and American sources, to show that many of the claims for electric lighting are unfounded, and that gas has been the subject of numerous false assertions as to its danger, etc., simply to glorify the electric light. The author seems disposed to fairness, in general, but when, after admitting that the electric light has a future before it, he declares that "gas will remain in future, as it always has been, the universal means of illumination," he is at least injudicious. "Universal" and "always" are too broad; certainly, as far as the past is concerned, if not the future. Those who are interested in the subject will find it worth while to read this book. The translation has been carefully made, and it is clearly printed. * * * * * Lynn, Mass., has long been famous for its boots and shoes, but from a comfortably sized book[5] in hand, we are led to believe that the town has something interesting about it besides heels and soles. This volume is, according to its name, a series of sketches of the history of the town, well interspersed with anecdotes, most of them from the storehouse of the author's own memory. Although he spent, as he declares, twenty years on the shoemaker's bench, he has not limited his knowledge to his trade. He has evidently been a keen observer; and his command of Anglo-Saxon, together with what may be called the genuine Yankee language, has enabled him to relate his stories and make his comments in a clear and vigorous style. It is, indeed, a very pleasant variation of the regulation town history; a volume of information and good-natured wit; such a book as we imagine every citizen and native of Lynn would delight to read. FOOTNOTES: [2] Scriptures, Hebrew and Christian. Arranged and edited for young readers as an introduction to the study of the Bible. By Edw. T. Bartlett, A.M., and John P. Peters, Ph.D. Vol. I, pp. 545. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. [3] Outlines of Universal History. Designed as a text-book and for private reading. By George Park Fisher, Professor in Yale College, pp. 674. New York: Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co. [4] The Present Condition of Electric Lighting. A report made at Munich, September 26, 1885, by N. H. Schilling, Ph.D. 55 pp. Boston: Cupples, Upham & Co. [5] Sketches of Lynn; or, The Changes of Fifty Years. By David N. Johnson, pp. 490. Lynn; Thomas P. Nichols, printer. INDEX TO MAGAZINE LITERATURE. (_MAY, 1886._)