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PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE. Comprising Forty-six folio Plates of Plans and Details of Churches, Dwellings, and Stores Constructed by the Authors. Also an Explanation and Illustrations of the French System of Apartment Houses and Dwellings for the Laboring Classes. Together with Copious Text. By Sanford E. Loring, Architect, Chicago, and W. L. B. Jenney, Architect, Chicago, Graduate of the Eeole Centrale Des Arts et Manufactures, Paris. Chicago: Cobb, Pritchard & Co. Cleveland: Cobb, Andrews & Co. Philadelphia : Clax-ton, Remsen & Haffelfinger. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke &Co. This work, though it contains a large number of artistic designs, as its title sets forth, is by no means devoted to this department to the exclusion of full discussion of the fundamental principles of architecture and other important topics connected with the art. The work is a large quarto, of which nearly one-third is devoted to the review of the history of the most important styles of architecture, truth in art,theories of construction, and a most important chapter on modern French architecture, in which the subjects of apartment houses of Paris and workingmen's cottages are elaborately treated. The illustrations are of a most excellent character, and as a speciman of a publication of this kind, the execution is praise -worthy throughout. We have not met with an architectural work more adapted to the wants of building associations than this, and its adaptabil -ity to the wants of young architects is unquestionable. MODERN PRACTICE OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. A Hand -Book for Electricians and Operators. By Frank L. Pope. New York: Russell Brothers, Publishers, 28, 30, and 32 Center street. Mr. Pope, well known as a practical operator and electrician, and for merly connected with the office of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, has given us an octavo of 128 pages, upon the above subject. His qualifications, both theoretical and practical, peculiarly fit him for work of this kind. He lias had a large experience in constructing telegraph lines, and has spent much time in chemical and electrical researches. The book is written with a special regard to the general ignorance which prevails among operators about the theoretical part of their profession. Such knowledge is needed to change their labors from the drudgery of mere mechanical routine, to an intelligent and interesting occupation—one in which the brain may find employment as well as the hand. As a work of reference'the book has one serious fault—it lacks an index. This want is, however, partially supplied by a copious table of contents. The book commences with a discus sion of the various batteries in use for telegraphic purposes, and the gen eration of electric currents, therefrom, from which starting point the subject is amplified in a plain and practical way through all its ramifications. THE ECLECTIC, for June, contains a picture of Alexandria II. Articles —The Physical Basis of Life; Fergusson's Tree and Serpent Worship: Other Inhabited Worlds; Genius in Love : A Whist Reminiscence: Professor Tyndall on Sound: The Northmen, Heathen and Christian: The Mystery of the Grange : Lanf rey's Napoleon I.: He Knew he was Eight, Chaps xxii., xxiii., and xxiv.: Physical Education; A Night Among Wild Fow 1 The Eecluse of Pulo-Penang : A Lunatic Colony: Alexander II., Emperor of Russia. Poetry. Notes on Books. Art. Science. Varieties. Terms of the Eoletic, $5-00 per annum. E. R. Pelton, Publisher 108 Fulton street, New York city. THE ARCHITECTURAL KETIEW AND AMEBICAN" BUILDERS' JOURNAL for May comes to hand with its usual beautiful illustrations and a rich array of reading matter.
