The first things one looks at on taking up Harper's Monthly are the illustrations. In this respect the April number can not fail to satisfy the most exacting. Mr. Closson offers to us the first result of his trip to Europe in his reproduction of part of Murillo's "Immaculate Conception;" all lovers of engraving in wood can not but feel that this picture alone is worth more than the price of the magazing. The other features among the illustrations are the drawings of Mr. Gibson, illustrating Mr. Roe's novel. Mr. Dielman's drawing for the same novel, and the drawing of Howard Pyle on the "Impressment of American Seamen." Mr. Gibson's "Jack Frost's Captive," although portraying a rather startling incident, is one of the best specimens of his work that we have seen. Mr. Abbey's illustration to Mr. Black's novel is hardly in his best manner. Mr. Abbey's picture in the Weekly on the Banishment of the Friends is so very characteristic, that we hope the Harpers will give us an edition de luxe of the number, as the picture is well worth preserving. Prof. Norton; Ernest Ingersoll, Kegan Paul and T. W. Higginson contribute note-worthy articles and the vovels by Mr. Roe and Mr. Black are continued. Mr. Charles Beade's story. "The Picture,' which has aroused so much comment is concluded. The editorial departments of the magazine are up to their usual standard.