The Volcano Diggings is the title of a lively story, by a Member of the Bar, illustrating the administration of the law in California. Several scenes, which are evidently taken from the life, are described with a good deal of spirit, and throw a strong, but not altogether flattering light on the condition of society at the placers. (Published by J. S. Redfield).
George P. Putnam has issued The Wing-and-Wing, forming another volume of the Collected Works of J. Fenimore Cooper. In the Preface to this edition, the author remarks, that "he acknowledges a strong paternal feeling in behalf of this book, placing it very high in the estimate of its merits, as compared with other books from the same pen; a species of commendation that need wound no man."
The same publisher has issued a new and revised edition of The Conquest of Florida, by Theodore Irving. The author expresses his gratification in finding his account of De Soto's expedition confirmed by the most recent investigations. His work is justly entitled to the reputation which it has obtained, as a classic authority, on an interesting period of American history.
Phillips, Sampson, and Co. have published a valuable collection of financial essays, entitled The Banker's Commonplace Book, containing Mr. A. B. Johnson's pithy treatise on the Principles of Banking and the Duties of a Banker, Gilbart's Ten Minutes' Advice on Keeping a Bank, with several articles on Bills of Exchange, and a summary of the Banking Laws of Massachusetts. It will prove a useful manual on the subject to which it is devoted.
TWO LEAVES FROM PUNCH.
ENCOURAGEMENT TO BOOK-LENDERS.
"If you please, Sir, Master's sent back the First Volume, and he says will you be so good as to let him 'ave the Second?"