McClure's Magazine for February takes its first grasp of the reader's attention with eight portraits of Lincoln (several of them very rare), some twenty other Lincoln pictures, and an account, abounding in vivid personal details, of Lincoln's misfortunes as a country merchant; of his entrance into the legislature, and the beginning of his acquaintance with Douglas; of his work as a village postmaster and a deputy county surveyor; of his study of Shakespeare and Burnes and a copy of Blackstone found by chance in a barrel of refuse; and of his romantic courtship of Ann Rutledge, and his affliction at her death shortly before the time appointed for their marriage.

In the same number the well-known editor of the Railway Age, Mr. Harry Perry Robinson, describes in detail "the fastest run ever made"- the recent speed run between Chicago and Buffalo, when 510 miles were traversed at an average speed of 65.07 miles an hour, and a speed as high as 92.3 miles an hour was attained. Mr. Robinson was one of the official time-keepers. Mr. Murat Halstead, long editor of the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette and now editor of the Brooklyn Standard Union, relates the history of Garfield's nomination and administration, giving important conversations with Garfield and interesting personal reminiscences. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, in a chapter of autobiography, gives an interesting picture of a New England girl's school at the beginning of the war; and also records reminiscences of Emerson, a guest in her father's house. The art feature is Mr. Will H. Low's article on the great English painters of the early part of the century, with many splendid engravings of their pictures. To any one interested in art these discriminating articles are invaluable. The illustrations have been chosen with rare taste; they are interesting as pictures, and as examples of the artists, who are critically and biographically presented in the text. The fiction is especially notable, including a charming romance by Anthony Hope, a pathetic and powerful story by Ian Maclaren, and a characteristic tale from the unpublished manuscript of Robert Louis Stevenson, half fairy story and half fable.