y readily be me Son this heat c In the thril W. H. Over t Moore's an enough, we = points of re ➡ondthorpe, the bz If washed outs Hugh Herbert's Inheritance, the first, is a homely story, full of quiet and occasionally vigorous attractiveness, by Caroline Austin. The illustrations are by an old hand at this species of work, C. T. Garland. Little Lady Clare, by Evelyn Everett-Green, runs on lines with which admirers of present-day literature are tolerably familiar. A child is the guiding spirit of the story, and by her attractive ways and honest nature succeeds in righting a long-standing family dispute. The narrative after its kind is equally as absorbing as the more boisterous tales of boyish adventure. In Storied Holidays, by E. S. Brooks, we find a book of different character. The contents consist of a number of short historic tales, pleasantly written and with due regard to general accuracy. Each story is connected with one of the leading holidays of the year,-New Year's Day for instance, St. Valentine's Day, and so on. ability of the author, as distinguishable in his former works dealing with events of the past, is again noticeable in his present volume. We again find a divergence in Jasper's Conquest, ard a light-by Elizabeth J. Lysaght, which appeals rather more forcibly to the spirit of lively adventure which is inherent in every boy. The incidents, of a sufficiently mysterious kind, are skilfully only by strung together, and the entire narrative is related with bright emphasis and vitality. The illustrations are by T. H. Willson. The last of the five volumes is The Brig Audacious,' by Alan Cole. In this a variety of exciting episodes are skilfully grouped together, and the hearts of boy readers are likely to be particularly overjoyed at the tissue of lively adventures laid before them. Again we have the ubiquitous pirate with unabated power of doing harm, the deserted or apparently deserted island, and the shipwrecked survivors reduced almost to the last pangs of starvation. All this, vigorously related, Mr. John Schönberg has aided by the graphic force and dexterity of his illustrations. a convict-shirt From this pa the reader. tically prove mpelled to t nocence is pen nce, and Nec er order that i Mr. G. 4. Fr tributes, as is, a viga of adventure ence; but i sent instance parted somerla The Cat of customs and of the pe in great bar the works d Wilkinson and writers and on the subject i proves notic esting but is as well; andir: ful bors shock a wide cha spirited dispost تو May; or, the tures of a Str the writer old friend, B ceived in M happiest str The plot worked og 2. ensive kind Sarah Doudney's volume takes the form of a charming story of girl life, which is told with great appreciation and womanly skill. The title is Under False Colours, and this originates in the circumstance that one girl persuades another, very much like herself, to visit some aristocratic friends in her name. The friends are delighted with their guest, and one young gentleman even goes so far as to fall heartily in love with her, a feeling that is entirely reciprocated. And then comes out the melancholy fact that she is not what she seems to bethat she is not in reality Cissy Dysart, but plain, humble Cherry Dent. Of course all are horrified at her duplicity; but eventually, the full circumstances of the case becoming known, the lovers are again reconciled, and all ends happily. Another story of infinite charm, that will probably possess greater attraction for the fair than the robust and less sympathetic portion of humanity, is entitled Meg's Friend. It is very tenderly related by Alice Corkran. Perhaps little Meg's doings as a child appeal to the reader with stronger effect than her after experiences in life as companion to her stony grandfather, Sir Malcolm Loftdale; but the entire story, as we have said, is interesting and replete with delicate treatment. In the less expensive editions we find that three new volumes have been added to 'Blackie's Two-shilling Series of Reward Books.' These, admirably written and well adapted for child readers, are Susan, by Amy Walton, in which a little girl, inclined to be proud and think herself superior in goodness to her wild playmate, discovers with due humility her mistake; Linda and the Boys, by Cecilia Selby Lowndes, a capital narrative of an old bachelor who unexpectedly finds himself saddled with the care of three small children, and is amusingly embarrassed thereby; and swiss Stories, translated by Lucy Wheelock from the German of Madame Johanna Spyri. The latter studies are delightfully natural and fresh, and are keenly attractive in juvenile interest. Each of these three volumes, we may add, is appropriately illustrated. The Eighteenpenny Series of Reward Books' has been enriched by four new volumes in The Battlefield Treasure, by F. Bayford Harrison, a story of historic and antiquarian surroundings, so worked up as to show the generosity, truth, and courage of the boy hero; Joan's Adventures, by Alice Corkran, a volume deserving of equal praise with the work we have noticed elsewhere, but very different in its general character; Filled with Gold, by Jennie Perrett, in which the old familiar topic of a supposed theft by the poor and innocent hero is so skilfully developed as to awake fresh interest; and Edwy; or, Was he a Coward? by Annette Lyster, to which the answer as afforded by the well-written story is most emphatically 'No.' Then in the Shilling Series for Children' we have new additions by Jennett Humphreys, Emma Leslie, G. Jenner, Penelope, Annie S. Fenn, and Christian Redford; to the Ninepenny Series' Isabel Hornibrook, Emma Leslie, M. Harriett M. Capes, Annie S. Fenn, and Mrs. Musgrave supply fresh novelties; in the 'Sixpenny Series' we notice new volumes by H. Mary Wilson, J. Lockhart, Alice Corkran, L. E. Tiddeman, Cora Langton, Charlotte Wyatt, and Mrs. A. H. Garlick; while to the 'Fourpenny Reward Books' Felicia Melancthon, A. de V. Dawson, L. E. Tiddeman, and J. Lockhart have contributed new stories. We should scarcely be fulfilling our duty if we did not call attention to the extreme suitability and merit of Messrs. Blackie's reward books. A Cassell & Co., Limited. NUMBER of interesting volumes attract attention to deeds of daring and marvellous features of science. The series has aptly received the name of 'The Library of Wonders,' and consists of eight neatly bound volumes. These treat respectively of 'Wonderful Adventures,' 'Wonders of Animal Instinct,' 'Wonders of Architecture,' 'Wonders of Acoustics,' The 'Wonders of Water,' Wonderful Escapes,' 'Wonders of Bodily Strength,' and ' Wonderful Balloon Ascents.' The last volume, in view of the attention lately directed to the subject of ballooning, is especially attractive. One illustration depicts the wreck of the famous balloon 'Géant,' of which a very graphic description is given in the text. The car of this well-known aerial monster took the form of a regular two-story house, and in other ways M. Nadar's balloon was remarkable. The first person, we learn, who undertook the dangerous experiment of descending from a balloon by means of a parachute was Citizen Garnerin. This was on October 22, 1797. At twenty-eight minutes past five, Citizen Garnerin rose in a balloon from the park of Monceau. Silence reigned in the assembly, anxiety and fear being painted on the visages of all. When he had ascended upwards of 2,000 feet he cut the cord that connected his parachute and car with the balloon. The latter exploded, and Garnerin descended in his parachute very rapidly. He made a dreadful lurch in the air, that forced a sudden cry of fear from the whole multitude, and made a number of women faint. Meanwhile Citizen Garnerin descended into the plain of Monceau; he mounted his horse upon the spot, and rode back to the park attended by an immense multitude, who gave vent to their admiration for the skill and talent of the young aeronaut.' All the volumes of this series, we may add, are suitably illustrated, and among the authors who have contributed to their success we may mention F. Marion, Rudolphe Radan, F. Bernard, Guillaume Depping (whose work in each case has been translated from the French), R. Stawell Ball, M.A., and Richard Whiteing. Cassell's Picture Story Books' are well adapted to take the fancy of young people, and both in a pictorial and literary sense are calculated to afford much pleasure. The series in all consists of some fifteen volumes, each containing sixty pages of pictures and stories, arranged page for page. The illustrations we have met with before, in probably more appropriate company, but child readers are little likely to see any incongruity in the surroundings, and we cannot but admire the dexterity with which the stories have been written to accompany the wood-blocks. The titles of these volumes take a fanciful form, such as 'Little Talks,' 'Tiny Tales,' 'Bright Stars,' 'Nursery Toys,' &c. &c. 6 The Quiver has long possessed a high reputation for the interesting and wholesome character of its contents. The numbers for 1888 having now been gathered into one volume, elegantly and strongly bound, present an extremely attractive appearance. The predominating characteristics of the magazine are a plentiful supply of pure, but none the less interesting, fiction and a large number of papers on homely topics, treated for the most part from a Scriptural view. Serial fiction is represented by Not All in Vain,' by Lambert Shields, In Her Own Right,' by the author of 'My Brother Basil'; 'The Beauforts of Beatrice Gardens,' by L. T. Meade; and Wanted a Governess'; but numerous short stories, in the majority of cases by known writers, are also included. Among the articles the series on Great Preachers' claims attention, many of the most prominent and popular men of the day being considered. The volume is especially noticeable as being the means of imparting, through the medium of magazine Bible Classes, reading societies, &c., much highly valuable and religious instruction. The illustrations are a marked feature by reason of their excellence and skilful design. The accompanying woodcut is one of many charming engravings that brighten the progress and gracefully illustrate the character of the magazine. Heroes of Every-day Life, by Laura M. Lane, is an unstudied account, touching in its Dec. 6, 1888 very simplicity, of the noble actions by which men, labourers in humble unpretentious walks of life, have earned for themselves a wide reputation for bravery and self-sacrifice. Such a man for instance, was Police-constable Cole, who, at the risk of his life, carried a parcel containing dynamite from Westminster Hall and, in company with another constable, was very nearly killed in the terrific explosion that took place outside. It is of such men and equally brave women that the author writes, and her work, though it can scarcely be called adequate in its size and general appearance, at any rate supplies information touching their courageous deeds that is well worthy of record, and is told sympathetically and with true feeling. Writing of homely life and actions we may in this connection refer to the very popular ballads of the Rev. Frederick Langbridge, under the title of Sent back by the Angels, which is itself one of the most touching of the included contents. The author seems to have very thoroughly studied the life of the poor, and to possess keen sympathy with them in their trials and tribulaMuch of his verse is distinguished by a happy combination of tions, their joys and sorrows. pathos and humour, and not unfrequently by genuine poetic merit. Of The Magazine of Art it is not necessary to say much, for the periodical by the excellence of its engravings and the general interest of its contents has so carved its way into public appreciation that its merits are well known and universally recognised. The volume for 1888 fully maintains the high character of the magazine, and in some respects shows a slight provement. Among the literary contributors (who have admirably shown that in orde write learnedly on art subjects it is not necessary to be heavy and laboured) are Sir J Millais, Bart, R. A., Professor Ruskin, G. F. Watts, R.A., W. P. Frith, R.A., Profe Hodgson, R. A., Walter Crane, Frederick Wedmore, Edmund Gosse, Ford Madox Brown, James D. Linton, P.R.I., Hon. Lewis Wingfield, Cosmo Monkhouse, J. Forbes-Robertson, and the volume, in addition to the numerous illustrations to be found on almost every page, contains twelve etchings and photogravures, the former being from paintings by Seymour Lucas, A.R.A., J. W. Waterhouse, A.R.A., Edward Grutzner, Walter Langley, R.I., J. L. E. Meissonier, and F. A. Bridgman, N.A. Through the courtesy of the publishers we are enabled to reproduce an engraving from its pages. This represents Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, a leading artist in what is known as the School of Barbizon. The illustration accompanies an appreciative article on the painter from the pen of David Croal Thomson. Cassell's Saturday Journal is now so well known, and has so frequently been favourably commented upon in these columns, that further reference to its varied and multitudinous contents would seem almost superfluous. But the introduction of illustrations is, if we mistake not, a new feature, and well deserves mention. In other respects the magazine remains much the same as ever, and should be assured of a hearty welcome in the home circle. The annual volume, which is practically a double one, since it contains two half-yearly volumes, presents a truly formidable mass of reading. To this, serial stories of a vigorous character have been contributed by Geo. Manville Fenn, Julian Hawthorne, and Frank Barrett, while John Strange Winter, Henry Frith, Florence Warden, and the author of 'The Wizard's Tower' amongst others, are responsible for shorter fiction. A series of detective experiences by Chief-Constable William Henderson, and a number of papers on the London poor from the pen of Mr. G. R. Sims, are among the other prominent features of the volume. The attractive characteristics of The Woman's World, so forcibly displayed in the monthly numbers, acquire a quite fascinating effect when concentrated between the handsomely designed boards of the annual volume. In all that interests the great proportion of womankind, this magazine deals with excellent purpose. Under the skilled and tasteful superintendence of the editor, Mr. Oscar Wilde, only those subjects have been selected that possess infinite charm for the feminine mind, and that graphically illustrated shall refine the disposition, and in many cases supply useful information. The list of contributors embraces such wellknown names as Lady Ferguson, the Author of 'John Halifax, Gentleman,' Ouida, Mrs. Campbell Praed, Lady Pollock, Rosa Mulholland, Emily Faithfull, Lucy M. J. Garnett, Lady Lindsay, Violet Fane, Mrs. Richmond Ritchie, F. Mabel Robinson, A. Mary F. Robinson, Mrs. Fenwick Miller, Lady Archibald Campbell, Lady Dorothy Nevill, and H.R.H. Princess Christian. The accompanying engraving, which sufficiently attests the delicate workmanship of this portion of the contents, is taken from an article on The Lace-Makers of Le Puy,' and represents one of the workers. Mr. Walter Crane's contribution to the publishers' stock of Christmas literature takes the form of a daintily devised volume, entitled Flora's Feast: a Masque of Flowers, both letterpress and coloured illustrations being the work of this well-known artist. The idea has been prettily imagined and is well carried out, but will scarcely excite more than temporary favour. Little Folks, a magazine for the young, deserves its title better than the majority of periodicals avowedly designed for juvenile readers. The present volume evinces great care on the part of both editor and publishers alike, and is full of such pictorial and literary contents as children most dearly like to enjoy. The matter is usefully varied, so as not only to interest the smaller specimens of humanity but their elder brethren as well, and the writers are those who are best qualified by their experience and natural inclinations to enlist the sympathies of small readers. The second volume of The Life and Times of Queen Victoria, by Robert Wilson, brings that interesting chronicle from the commencement of Lord Derby's second administration to the close of the Jubilee Year. The many stirring events that have happened within these acteristics great pro Durpose that graphi in many case! r of John Es 'Ouida, Ma Lady Pand Emby F Violet Fax A. Mary E ristian. I of this port represents limits are related with graphic force, and the numerous illustrations, though occasionally somewhat oddly contrasted in style, are for the most part calculated to emphasise the absorbing interest of the text. In speaking of the first volume we took occasion to refer to Mr. Wilson's tact and discretion in dealing with the political questions that must necessarily form a considerable portion of the work, and which indeed seemed to us one of the greatest difficulties we had to contend with. The same dexterous care and impartiality, we may say, are observable in the volume now lying before us. As a history of a wide, and in some respects peculiarly eventful period, Mr. Robert Wilson's delightful chronicle should meet with well-deserved success. Those who admired 'Q.'s' former story 'Dead Man's Rock' are likely, we fear, to be disappointed in the same writer's Astonishing History of Troy Town. Humour there is some, but it is of the spasmodic order, much of which seems to have been forced, and as a rule it falls flat and laughterless; as for the plot there is really very little in it. Much turns on a successful attempt to import dynamite into this country, and on the ingenious method in which this was managed. Greater interest centres round the head of the hapless Philip Fogo, a slightly imbecile gentleman, who, in consequence of having once been deceived by one of the opposite sex, has a distaste for feminine society, and who now retires to the solitude of a riverside residence (called Kit's House), where he is protected from the annoyance of intruders through the rough and ready vigilance of an eccentric servant, Caleb Trotter. The story markedly suffers from its lack of human interest. The characters are mere puppets, moved about by the author to more or less ridiculous purpose, and the reader finds himself somewhat nauseated with the absurd doings of people in whom, by the idiocy of their actions, he can take little interest. Perhaps the solitary exception is Tamsin Dearlove, and we feel almost regretful when at the close she is married to the simple, absent-minded Mr. Fogo. We sincerely trust that she never had occasion to repent of her bargain, but we do not disguise that we have serious doubts on the matter. the Both in the matter of illustrations and contents Cassell's Family Magazine can well compare with periodicals that make much more pretentious claims to notice. Looking over of the annual volume we have been especially struck by the finish and artistic beauty pages of the engravings; all being excellent, and many, both in conception and workmanship, far above the average. Touching the contents, we find a perfect mass of interesting readingwell written, varied, and selected with great care. Fiction, which now-a-days occupies so important a place in the scope of any ordinary magazine, is absorbingly represented by several serial stories, Monica; or, Stronger than Death,' by Evelyn Everett-Green; By Misadventure,' by Frank Barrett; 'For the Good of the Family,' by Kate Eyre; 'Comrades Once,' by Thomas Keyworth; in addition to a number of shorter tales. The magazine is · |