Hood’s verse, whether serious or comic—­whether serene like a cloudless autumn evening or sparkling with puns like a frosty January midnight with stars—­was ever pregnant with materials for the thought.  Like every author distinguished for true comic humor, there was a deep vein of melancholy pathos running through his mirth, and even when his sun shone brightly its light seemed often reflected as if only over the rim of a cloud.

Well may we say, in the words of Tennyson, “Would he could have stayed with us,” for never could it be more truly recorded of any one—­in the words of Hamlet characterizing Yorick—­that “he was a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.”  D.M.  Moir.

THE ILIAD OF HOMER RENDERED INTO ENGLISH BLANK VERSE.  By EDWARD, EARL OF DERBY.  From the latest London edition, with all the author’s last revisions and corrections, and with a Biographical Sketch of Lord Derby, by R. SHELTON MACKENZIE, D.C.L.  With twelve steel engravings from Flaxman’s celebrated designs. 2 vols., 12mo.  Cloth, extra, bev. boards, gilt top, $3.50; half calf, gilt, marbled edges, $7.00; half Turkey morocco, gilt top, $7.00.

The same.  Popular edition.  Two vols. in one. 12mo.  Cloth, extra, $1.50.

“It must equally be considered a splendid performance; and for the present we have no hesitation in saying that it is by far the best representation of Homer’s Iliad in the English language.”—­London Times.

“The merits of Lord Derby’s translation may be summed up in one word, it is eminently attractive; it is instinct with life; it may be read with fervent interest; it is immeasurably nearer than Pope to the text of the original....  Lord Derby has given a version far more closely allied to the original, and superior to any that has yet been attempted in the blank verse of our language.”—­Edinburg Review.

THE WORKS OF FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS.  Comprising the Antiquities of the Jews; a History of the Jewish Wars, and a Life of Flavius Josephus, written by himself.  Translated from the original Greek, by WILLIAM WHISTON, A.M.  Together with numerous explanatory Notes and seven Dissertations concerning Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, James the Just, God’s command to Abraham, etc., with an Introductory Essay by REV.  H. STEBBING, D.D. 8vo.  Cloth, extra, black and gold, plain edges, $3.00; cloth, red, black and gold, gilt edges, $4.50; sheep, marbled edges, $3.50; Turkey morocco, gilt edges, $8.00.

This is the largest type one volume edition published.

THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE EGYPTIANS, CARTHAGINIANS, ASSYRIANS, BABYLONIANS, MEDES AND PERSIANS, GRECIANS AND MACEDONIANS Including a History of the Arts and Sciences of the Ancients.  By CHARLES ROLLIN.  With a Life of the Author, by JAMES BELL. 2 vols., royal 8vo.  Sheep, marbled edges, per set, $6.00.

COOKERY FROM EXPERIENCE.  A Practical Guide for Housekeepers in the Preparation of Every-day Meals, containing more than One Thousand Domestic Recipes, mostly tested by Personal Experience, with Suggestions for Meals, Lists of Meats and Vegetables in Season, etc.  By Mrs. SARA T. PAUL. 12mo.  Cloth, extra, black and gold, $1.50.