The first number of the American Historical Review has lately appeared. The form and contents of the number are excellently thought out, and need but little comment. The editorial salutatory has been intrusted to Professor William Sloane, whose theme is "History and Democracy." He argues hopefully from the popularity of histories in this country against the notion that democracy is unfavorable to a high order of productiveness in this branch of belles lettres, or that a temporary exhaustion is manifest.

Professor Moses Tyler showes tersely and effectively the unmerical, intellectual, and social weight and legal justification of the Loyalists of our Revolution, by way of deprecating the treament to which they have hitherto been subjected. Mr. Henry C. Lea Contributes an inedited bull of Sixtus IV, from the Vatican archives for its bearing on the alleged hesitancy of that Pope to permit Ferdinand and Isabella to found the Spanish Inquisition.

Mr. Henry Adams tells in an entertaining way, with the aid of new documents from the French Archives, the story of the adventurer who was called in this country "Count Edward de Crillon."

Professor Frederick J. Turner begins a series of papers on "Western Statemaking in the Revolutionary Era."

After the main articles of the number follows the "Documents" department, which is worthily begun with letters of real importance in American history. There are interesting papers by Professor Ashley and Professor Goodwin Smith, and several other well-known students of history. Professor A. B. Hart is one of the editors of the New Magazine.