upon a big-eyed, empty minded, sensuous girl-face, the counterpart of which may any day be seen in the photograph of a ballet-dancer or comic-opera singer.

An exquisite booklet comes from Macmillan's press in the shape of Tennyson's "Brook," illustrated by A. Woodruff. The illustrations are twenty in number and are printed in colors and delicate tints. The designs, English landscape scenes, are charming, and form a dainty and fitting accompaniment to the poem.

The lessons in " Elementary Flower Painting," published by Cassell, are useful to students who have some knowledge in handling the brush and pencil. They are illustrated by eight colored plates and as many outline drawings, while explicit directions regarding materials and processes materially aid the pupil in the management of lines and tints.

Wholly pleasing in design and execution is the pretty little book called "The Harbingers of Spring" (Stokes & Bro.) There are four colored drawings representing birds among twigs and sprays of flowers. They are lovely compositions, for which the artist, Fidelia Bridges, merits commendation. The poems, which are mere adjuncts to the illustrations, were selected by Susie Barstow Skelding.

"Ringing Ballads" is the appropriate title of a collection of poems by Rose Hartwick Thorpe, the author of the well-known stanzas, "Curfew Must Not Ring To-night." The poems which follow this in the present collection are of a kindred character, stirring recitals of dramatic incidents. It is the deed of adventure which creates the interest in this writer's songs, and not any special ability in the art of versifying. (Lothrop.)

Lee & Shepard have issued the sketch of "Faith's Festivals," by May Lakeman, in a holiday dress as pure in color as it is in character. The structure of the story is slight, but there is a delicate touch in the moulding of it, and it leaves on the mind a serious and gracious impression.

A selection of devout utterances taken by Louise S. Houghton from the works of Thomas à Kempis, Madame Guyon, and other religious writers, is tastefully bound in white illuminated paper covers, bearing the title Words of Peace and Rest." (Stokes & Bro.)

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Eight new Calendars for 1888 are issued by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. They are named after the eight authors, Browning, Emerson, Hawthorne, Holmes, Longfellow, Lowell, Whittier, Whitney. These calendars have some marked improvements over those of last year. The selections from the writings of the several authors are bound, so that when the last leaf has been turned they form little books of the choicest literary quality, which can be permanently preserved. The calendars are printed in colors and mounted on attractive decorated cards. All except the Whitney calendar have portraits and other artistic designs drawn from the authors' residences, or from characters or incidents in their writings.

BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.

Boyesen's "The Modern Vikings, Stories of Life and Sports in the Norseland” (Scribner), opens charmingly with a poem of dedication to the author's three sons, Hjalmar, Algernon, and Bayard, whose faces appear at the top of the page. This

poem might well deserve to be placed with Longfellow's Children's Hour." Then follow the stories, which are told to "these three little lovely vikings,❞—stories of wild sports among the frozen lands of Norway and Iceland, such sports as are familiar to a bold and hardy race, battles with wolves and waves, and even some encounters with the "little people," the gnomes, familiar to all mountain dwellers. "Tharald's Otter," 66 Big Hans" and "Little Hans," and "Fiddler John's Family," bear very strongly the impress of true stories, narrating the experience of Norwegians emigrating to this country. All the stories are full of life and freshness, with a warm appreciation of the Northland, and a friendly feeling for America, particularly Wisconsin and Minnesota, where so many Norsemen have settled. They are well calculated to suit the taste of any child with a liking for adventure. One can feel the wind, and hear the storm and the wild waves of the Norwegian coast, as one reads these stories. In one chapter Mr. Boyesen introduces the boys to a new sport, "skee running," and describes in detail the making of skees. The illustrations, ten in number, are very effective. As a whole, this is certainly one of the choice Christmas books for boys, and if for boys, why not for girls?

S. Weir Mitchell has given us a charming fairy book in "Prince Little Boy and Other Tales" (Lippincott). Some of these stories were published in 1864, under the title of "The Children's Hour," in aid of the Sanitary Commission Fair at Philadelphia, and are now out of print. The stories contained in "Fuz-Buz" were written some time later, in aid of the Children's Hospital. The "Fuz-Buz" stories are told by a Spanish fly to some young spiders, whose mother has caught him in her web, and they are the price of his life from day to day, like the stories of the "Arabian Nights." They are very entertaining and full of quaint conceits, as in the story of the "Cold Country," in which the Bear, the Loon, the Owl and the Fox get tired of summer, and going to the "Cold Country" bring back bags of cold, which the Manitou throws "after the sunset, and as they broke the white cold fell in little fleecy blankets on the naked trees." The fly also tells of the king who drank from the fountain of youth, till, growing younger and younger, he became a baby, and died "in his second summer of malignant whooping-cough." The giant Grumblegrum eats five lawyers who disagreed with him and also with each other inside of him." The book is full of these bright touches, and the stories generally are a delightful mingling of magic and fun. cannot help believing that "Real Magic" is from real life, it is so natural and childlike.

We

In "The Book of Folk Stories" (Houghton, Mifflin & Co.) Mr. Horace E. Scudder has collected the old-time favorites of the English-speaking people, such as every child should read as a part of a liberal education. We find here "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," "Beauty and the Beast," "Jack and the Bean Stalk," "Dick Whittington and his Cat," and many more of the old stories. That the work may be used as a reading book for young children, the author has avoided difficult words, especially in the first stories, in order to assist the child by familiar construction. The book is divided into chapters, is of a good size for a child to handle, and is printed in clear, large type. The author has evidently "found the mixture which Alice drank in Wonderland when she wished to bring her head

just to a level with the small people," and he has "produced a book in which a child would feel perfectly at home."

Homer Greene's "Burnham Breaker" (Crowell) is a story of much power and well sustained interest. The author may be remembered by his story of the "Blind Brother," which took the $1,500 prize offered by the "Youth's Companion." In this book, as in his former one, the scene is laid in the coal region of Pennsylvania. The principal character, another Charlie Ross, escaping from a man in Philadelphia who had stolen him when a little child, after many adventures finds work at the coal breaker of a Mr. Burnham's mine. From this point the book is given up to the unravelling of the mystery of the boy's identity. The interest in the trial of this case of identity is well sustained. The scene of the burning shaft and Ralph's wanderings in the mine are powerfully depicted, as by one who well knows his ground. Ralph's rescue by his old friend Billy adds a final touch of heroic self-sacrifice to the well drawn character of this good old man. Throughout the story Ralph shows his inborn noble qualities, and the whole book has a genuine and high moral tone.

The young writer, Willis J. Abbot, who made a brilliant success with his "Blue Jackets of '61" a year ago, has followed up his first venture with an interesting account of "The Blue Jackets of 1812" (Dodd, Mead & Co.). He tells the story of the beginning, progress, and conclusion of our second conflict with Great Britain in an able and impressive manner. The naval battles of the war are the especial subject of the volume, and they are described with so much literary skill that the reader enters into them with all the spirit of a real actor in the scene. History written in such tempting fashion has the charm of a romance, even for children, and serves the double purpose of instructing and amusing them. The volume externally is a duplicate of the handsome one which preceded it. In the " Fairy Legends of the French Provinces," translated by Mrs. M. Carey, we have a series of very interesting fairy tales, the folk-lore of the French Provinces, worthy to be ranked with Miss Hapgood's "Epic Songs of Russia" and " Italian Popular Tales." These stories form a valuable contribution to the study of folk-lore. We can, in many cases, easily trace their relation to the tales of other nations-as, for instance, in "The Fairies and the Two Hunchbacks" to a similar story in the "Italian Tales," and the story of " Long Time," which has much in common with the story of "Frederick and Catherine" in Grimm's "German Stories." It adds much to the interest to find the name of the narrator at the end of each tale, as, "Told by Madam Richet, aged 77," or, "Related in Breton by Vincent Coat, a workman in a tobacco factory." Many of these stories are taken from the French folk-lore journal, "Mélusine," and some are translated from Paul Sébillot's "Contes de Provinces de la France." With the exception of one or two colonial stories, they are all from the French provinces. The book is published by Crowell & Co.

François Rabelais's "The Three Good Giants" (Ticknor), rendered from the French by John Dimitry, and illustrated by Doré and Robida, is a book to be warmly recommended. The editor has omitted everything offensive or unclean, and has presented the story of the famous trio, Grandgousier, Gargantua, and Pantagruel, freed from all encum

brances in the way of philosophy and extraneous incident. The great ingenuity and humor displayed in the narrative can here produce their full effect without anything to mar them; and the wonderful deeds and strong human sympathy of the colossal creatures whose good nature was equal to their physical proportions will furnish genuine pleasure to both old and young. The illustrations by Doré are among the most famous he produced, the text lending him subjects perfectly suited to his weird imagination. There is the same zest and humor in his drawings that distinguished the celebrated scholar and wit whose work he illustrates.

A book which well repays the reader is "The Giant Dwarf, a Story for Young and Old " (Crowell), by the author of "Prof. Johnny." It tells the story of Kasper, a poor German peasant boy, who, in despair at his daily drudgery, with no hope of advancement, and angered by his grandmother's rigorous discipline, runs away to seek his fortune. After an unsuccessful search for work in a large city, he is befriended by one Herr Michel, the "Giant Dwarf," who is a real man, not a fairy, as the name would lead one to suppose. Kasper's life at Herr Michel's home among the mountains, and the way in which his character is developed under the wise guidance of the "Giant Dwarf," is healthful as well as improving reading for any girl or boy. He teaches Kasper "that the nobility of any country are its honest, industrious, God-fearing citizens, and not those who make a boast of their idleness, their pride, and their escutcheons." When the "Giant Dwarf" himself, through the unravelling of a plot, becomes heir to a barony, he proves that his higher social position is merely valued by him as a broadening of his power for usefulness. The fortunes of Kasper are interwoven with his to the end of the book. The plot is good and successfully carried out.

E. S. Brooks, in "Storied Holydays" (Lothrop), adds another to his very interesting historical series, which already includes Chivalric Days," "Historic Girls," and "Historic Boys." The style and solid worth of his stories are too well known to need praise or comment. In his preface to this volume, he says: "The customs of the days described have been carefully studied, and it is hoped that the frolics and worries of the real boys and girls here set down may interest those other real boys and girls of to-day." The Holydays, twelve in all, include stories of England, Ireland, Scotland, Ancient Rome, and our own country. Philadelphia is the scene of the story on Independence Day, and New Amsterdam, in the time of Peter Stuyvesant, of that on Thanksgiving,--not the Thanksgiving of the Pilgrims, however. Among the other stories we have Christmas, St. Valentine's, St. Patrick's, April Fool, Michaelmas, a "Great Olympiad," and Hallowe'en. The illustrations, wood cuts by Howard Pyle, are fine and effective. In the note on page 174, Samuel Adams should be read in place of John Adams.

"The Story of the Life of Queen Victoria, Told for Boys and Girls all over the World," by W. W. Tulloch, B.D., is a plain, straightforward account of the Queen's life, which we may consider accurate, since it is revised by the Queen herself. It is divided into six parts, under the headings "The Young Girl,' "The Young Queen,' The Young Wife and Mother," 66 Royal Visits and Visitors, "Domestic Events and Public Acts," and "The Queen's Later Life." Of course we have the Eng

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lish view of all this, and the view of a warm admirer of the Queen and Prince Consort; but the author has wisely abstained from too many bursts of enthusiasm, confining himself to a paragraph here and there, and aiming rather to relate many interesting facts and events. One of the most pleasing features of the book is the charming picture which it gives of the home life of the royal family. We hear of the Queen's pet dog Dash, that she rushed to play with when she returned from her coronation, when the cheering of the Commons had been led by Mr. Gladstone. We have a funny little glimpse of Prince Albert's childhood, when at the age of six he writes: "I got up well and happy; afterwards I had a fight with my brother. I had another fight with my brother; that was not right." Later, we hear the joyous cry of the little princes and princesses, as they welcome the seventh child: "Now we are just as many as the days of the week!" The story of the children's life at Osborn, in their little Swiss cottage, is as pretty a picture of child life as one would care to see. The narrative of public events is clear and interesting. The author is the son of the well-known Principal Tulloch, an account of whose death, and the letters of condolence from the Queen, occupy one chapter. The work is published by A. C. Armstrong & Son.

A history which every boy and girl, and man and woman too, will warmly welcome is that named "Drum-Beat of the Nation," by the well-known war correspondent, Charles Carleton Coffin. The work is happily named, for the ring in the title resounds all through its pages. Such stirring prose, terse, strong, and impassioned, is seldom met with. The present volume records the events of the War of the Rebellion from its outbreak to the close of 1862. It is a thrilling account, made up of personal recollections, anecdotes, and comment, all woven together with the art of a cunning and practiced narrator. A gallery of excellent portraits of the heroes of the war enriches the book, which should be put in the hands of every "son and daughter of those who followed the drum-beat that the nation might live." (Harper.)

The character of its exterior, and the many woodcuts accompanying E. S. Brooks's "The Story of the American Indian" (Lothrop), would indicate that the book is intended for young people; but the grave didactic style of the author removes this impression. As a rule only mature readers would be interested in a work whose literary tone is that of a treatise, and they might feel disposed to question the truthfulness of the picture the author has drawn of the Indian. Not but that he is true to his own convictions and sincere in his presentation of the Indian character as it is found in past and current history; but his vision is warped by personal feeling. The red man is to him an unqualifiedly noble being, who has been degraded by centuries of outrage from the conquering Saxon; and, in relating his story, the blame of treachery and wrong-dealing is thrown on the latter exclusively. That he has devoted a great deal of honest study to the subject is shown not only by the authorities cited in the narrative, but by the appended list of the hundred best books treating the Indian question, a list which forms a useful feature of the work.

The swiftest peep into Palmer Cox's "The Brownies, Their Book" (Century Co.) reveals the wealth of amusement it contains. Hordes of grotesque and comical little elves swarm on every page, intent

upon some form of mischief or merry-making. Every one of the little fellows is so well-drawn that one can tell at a glance the part he takes in the general merriment. It is a masterly piece of pictorial delineation, humorous, vivid, and clever to the last degree. Rhymed stories accompany the illustrations,accompany in the right sense of the term, for the drawings are by far the most interesting portion of the work. The Brownies" were a leading attraction in the pages of the "St. Nicholas," in which they first saw the light.

Edward E. Hale's "In His Name, a Story of the Waldenses Seven Hundred Years Ago, is issued in a new form by Roberts Brothers, with illustrations by G. P. Jacomb Hood, R.A. Ever since 1873, when this story first appeared as the Christmas number of Dr. Hale's periodical "Old and New," it has steadily gained in popularity. Besides its large circulation in our own country, it has already been translated into several foreign languages. The story and the author are too well known to need any word of ours; but we will quote from the preface of Dr. A. P. Peabody: "I last night read In His Name,' and I cannot let the morning go by without thanking you with all my heart. This story has moved me so much I must tell you of it. I have never read anything better. It renewed, though with a far higher consecration, the intense feeling with which I read Dickens's first and best Christmas Story."

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Martha Finley's "Elsie's Friends at Woodburn" (Dodd, Mead & Co.) is a book without plot. It is simply the sayings and doings of Capt. Raymond's family and their friends. These are given in the form of conversations on passing events, interspersed with a great deal of moral and religious talk-surely more than any ordinary boy or girl would think of reading. Many would be repelled by such a statement as this, made on page 22: "All human righteousness are as filthy rags. The general spirit of the book's religious teaching conforms to this. There is too much sentimental talk among the characters, who address one another as "Sweet One," "Dearest," and "My dear love." The stepmother, who wins the children's affection by her loving kindliness, is the most agreeable character in the book; while Lulu, the daughter who is trying to curb a bad temper, is the most prominent. The "Captain," when he does not moralize too much, is manly and strong.

Joanna H. Mathews's "Uncle Rutherford's Attic, a Story for Girls" (F. A. Stokes & Brother) is a story the interest of which centres in the results of a shipwreck and a robbery. The scene is laid at a sea-side house, and in the opening chapter we have an excellent description of the "settin' room" at Capt. Forke's, just such a room as one may see in any of our old sea-port towns, filled with treasures gathered on many voyages. The principal characters are a villain-here a drunken, boorish one, who is much concerned in bringing about the final catastrophe, an extravagant young lady, and two waifs, the proteges of the oldest daughter of the house. The plot is well carried out and the interest sustained to the end. The book is, on the whole, well written, and is free from the slang too often found in stories of this class.

A collection of "Ballads of Romance and History," written for young folks by a dozen of our most popular authors, can hardly fail to contain

compositions of value. "The Tenement House Fire," by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, is as stirring and dramatic as one could desire. The story of "The Children's Cherry Feast," by Nora Perry, moves to a stately measure. "The York Garrison," by Sarah Orne Jewett, has the mark of a fine poetic instinct in every stanza. "A Story of the Children's Crusade," by Susan Coolidge, is told in an effective manner. The ballads by Celia Thaxter and Lucy Larcom are especially praiseworthy. Each ballad is illustrated with original and interesting designs. The book is tastefully bound, and forms a charming juvenile. (Lothrop.)

The versatile gifts of Howard Pyle are shown in the dainty juvenile entitled "The Wonder Clock" (Harper). He is always an artist, fertile in idea and skilful in its presentation, whether expressing himself by pen or by pencil. There are twenty-four fairy tales, one for each hour marked off by "the wonderful clock," and these abound in ingenious incidents, simply told, and admirably illustrated. The book is an excellent one, considered either from a literary or pictorial point of view.

Mr. James Baldwin, the author of "The Story of Siegfried" and "The Story of Roland," continues his valuable work for boys and girls by his "A Story of the Golden Age" (Scribner). In portraying the childhood and youth of Odysseus and weaving the choicest legends of Grecian mythology into the account, this book will enable the reader to take up Homer with intelligence and zest. The language used in this classic story flows like music from the author's pen and adds essentially to its fascination. The illustrations by Pyle are strikingly vigorous and beautiful.

Sarah Doudney's "Prudence Winterburn" (T. Y. Crowell & Co.) is a simple English story well told. In her preface, the author inscribes it "to girls who, like Prudence Winterburn, are ready to devote themselves with romantic self-sacrifice to a newly-made friend." The "newly made friend' in this case is a designing widow from India, an unscrupulous woman of the world. The victims are Prudence Winterburn, the interesting youngest daughter of an old country family, the invalid nephew of the rector, and the rector himself, whose property the widow hopes to inherit. The plot is well carried out, the style good, and the moral tone healthful. The book contains many charming descriptions of English country scenery.

Miss Louisa M. Alcott, whose name is always a good card of introduction to a child's heart, has provided a treat for the little ones in "Lulu's Library," the second volume of which is now published by Roberts Bros. Most of these stories were originally written for her sisters and their friends, the little Channings and Emersons, and were first published as "Flower Fables." Now, with added stories, they are republished, as she says "for their children's children." They are filled with fairy magic about the birds and flowers and frost, and all the out-of-door world. The little girl in the story of "Brownie and the Princess," who can understand the talk of the birds, will be the envy and admiration of many a child.

Another collection of short stories for girls, by Miss Alcott, written, as she states, for her own amusement, "during a period of enforced seclusion," when "the flowers which were my solace and pleasure suggested titles for the tales and gave an interest to the work," is issued also by Roberts

The

Bros. The title is "A Garland for Girls." stories are seven in number, and are supplied with illustrations by Jessie McDermott.

The work of Lina and Adelia B. Beard, entitled "The American Girl's Handy Book" (Scribner), is a veritable treasure for young girls of every land. It is filled with original practical hints and directions for amusements of every kind, suited to every hour of the day and every season of the year. Many of the pastimes suggested are as useful as they are entertaining, and all are innocent and healthful. The authors have aimed, while teaching new methods of play and work, to stimulate the invention and ingenuity of young folks. There is a world of profit as well as of pleasure to be derived from the book, and ever grateful to its ingenious authors will be the girl who receives a copy among her Christmas gifts.

A companion volume to the "Historic Boys" of E. S. Brooks comes from the pen of the same author under the title of "Historic Girls" (Putnam). The sketches of which it is composed were printed originally in "St. Nicholas," where they found great favor. They are spirited and life-like pictures of the girlhood of such famous women as Zenobia, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Christina, the Indian princess Pocahontas, Helena of Britain, and Jacqueline of Holland. Their value will extend far beyond the hours spent in reading them, and future years will reap the results of a love for history which such writings are sure to awaken.

Mr. Perelaer, who tells for the entertainment of children how a party of deserters from a military station in Borneo "Ran Away from the Dutch" (Dodd, Mead & Co.), has not the skill necessary for success in fiction writing. Having been in the Dutch Indian service he has a knowledge of the attractive country where the story is located, and when he draws upon this alone he is rather interesting. But he has not the faculty for creating real flesh and blood characters, or defining their action with clearness and the semblance of truth. Lacking this essential gift, he is unable to hold the interest of his readers or impart satisfactorily the information concerning Borneo which it was his aim to give and would be their pleasure to receive.

The touching story of "Juan and Juanita," by Frances Courtenay Baylor, is based upon actual facts and verifies the saying that truth is stranger than fiction. Two little Mexican children were captured by the Comanche Indians, and after spending four years with their savage captors, managed to escape, making their way alone and on foot across a wilderness of three hundred miles which stretched between them and their long-lost home. The exciting adventures they passed through in their journey are described by the author in an intensely interesting manner. Juan and Juanita were heroes both, he with the bravery of a masculine spirit and she with the sweetness of a woman's nature. The story is admirably illustrated by Henry Sandham. (Ticknor.)

Until Mr. Knox has carried his boy tourists through every country on the globe the interest in their lively adventures will not cease. At Mr. Stanley's special request, Mr. Knox has taken the great explorer's "Through the Dark Continent" and condensed it into a single volume, adapting it to the character of his readers. The book is called "The Boy Travellers on the Congo." Mr. Stanley accompanies the young voyagers throughout their journey, and a

fine portrait of him is given in the work, which is well illustrated. (Harper.)

The series of poems in which Mrs. Whitney has cleverly interpreted the "Bird-Talk" (Houghton, Mifflin & Co.) that is to be heard in the orchard or wild-wood in the several months of the year, forms one of the most attractive juveniles of the season. The cover is adorned with a graceful design; and inside, in the head-pieces for the groups into which the lyrics are separated, there are pretty bits of landscape in which bird-life is prominent.

Houghton, Mifflin & Co. issue a beautiful edition of Hawthorne's "Tanglewood Tales." The illustrations, by George Wharton Edwards, are of a truly heroic type. They are animated by the spirit of the Greek myths, and in character and action are expressive and striking. They indicate in the designer talent of high order.

Mrs. Harriet Prescott Spofford offers child readers a Christmas book made up of six "Ballads about Authors" (Lothrop). The first ballad, entitled "Goldsmith's Whistle," gives the story of the poet's happy period of vagabondage on the continent, during which he paid his way by the music drawn from his flute. The second gives the pathetic incident of Samuel Johnson's annual penance in Ultoxeta Market. The third relates to Milton, and the others to Cowper, Collins, and Shakespeare. The volume is neatly gottenup, and is illustrated by Edmund H. Garrett.

The eyes of the little ones will dance with joy at sight of the colored pictures with which Miss Lathbury has illustrated her latest holiday book, "Twelve Times One" (Worthington Co.). Such young eyes will not notice the bad drawing which weakens the face in each of the twelve portraits, but will be content with the outline and action of the figures, which are really good, and the glowing colors. The minor pieces in sepia are exquisitely done. The poems that constitute what may be called a background for the drawings are culled from various authors and are among the best in our literature describing the different periods of childhood.

In "Ways for Boys to Make and Do Things" (Lothrop) a half-dozen authors have given practical directions for making all sorts of toys and useful articles, with a great deal of information and valuable suggestions of interest to every boy.-The same publishers send us, in addition to works already noticed, "The Look-About Club," by Mary E. Bamford, and "Little Polly Blatchley," a pleasant little story for girls, by Miss Frances C. Sparhawk. Also, bound volumes of "Wide-Awake,' The Pansy,'

and "Babyland."

In presenting her brief "Life of Washington" (Worthington Co.), Virginia F. Townsend has "endeavored, while adhering strictly to the truths of history, to set the great scenes and crises in the career of Washington in a picturesque and dramatic form before her readers." The familar facts are presented in an interesting way, and the book will appeal strongly to young readers. The volume is tastefully bound, and contains a steel portrait of Washington and other illustrations.

Mr. W. H. Rideing's "The Boyhood of Living Authors" contains sketches of the juvenile careers of a queer aggregation of talent-Holmes, Aldrich, Trowbridge, Gladstone, Clarke Russell, Eggleston, Howells, Payn, Knox, Whittier, Stockton, Hale, Lowell, Fawcett, Boyesen, Higginson, Stedman,

and Warner. The sketches are well written, and may not be uninspiring to the youthful mind.

Captain Marryatt's well-known story of "Poor Jack," which will always be acceptable to young readers, is issued in an attractive form by Frederick Warne & Co. The volume is filled with new and striking designs by Clarkson Stanfield, and is bound in a novel cover. The same publishers send us a collection of admirable character sketches by Harry Parkes, entitled "The Man Who Would Like to Marry," all of which are clever and some of which are irresistibly funny. Also, an illuminated toybook, called "Jappie Chappie," whose story of "how he loved a Dollie" is told and illustrated in quaint designs and brilliant colorings by Mr. E. L. Shute.

Older readers will doubtless recall a favorite story of their younger days in W. S. Mayo's "Kaloolah, the Adventures of Jonathan Romer." This celebrated work, of which more than 25,000 copies have been sold in this country alone, has been issued by Putnam in a new form, known as the "Framazugda" edition. The volume is very fully illustrated by Alfred Fredericks.

The charming French fairy stories of the Countess D'Aulnoy, which for nearly two hundred years have delighted old and young, are printed in a new edition by Routledge. The translation is that of J. R. Planché, and is the first complete version of the tales. The book is handsomely illustrated by Gordon Browne and Lydia F. Emmet.

Uniform with the D'Aulnoy volume, and issued by the same house, is a charming little story for children, entitled "Mattie's Secret," by Emile Desbeaux. The book is written in a style that will appeal to young minds, and will prove instructive as well as interesting. The volume contains 100 illustrations.

The ever-popular "Arabian Nights" is issued in a handsome and substantial holiday dress by Frederick Warne & Co. The book is profusely illustrated with original wood-cuts and sixteen full-page plates in colors.

Dodd, Mead & Co. issue F. R. Goulding's wellknown story of "The Young Marooners" in a new edition, with an introduction by Joel Chandler Harris (Uncle Remus"). A peculiar feature of the volume is a number of double-page illustrations by W. C. Jackson.

Ruth Ogden's "His Little Royal Highness" (Dutton) is a bright and charming story for children, its attractiveness lying largely in its simplicity. As charming as the story are the pictures by W. Rainey. These are mainly figure-drawings, and are delightfully well-done. The book is tastefully bound, with one of Mr. Rainey's groups in gilt on the cover.

A collection of "Bible Stories," told by Jenny B. Merrill, is published by Cassell & Co. with profuse illustrations and large print which must appeal directly to young eyes. The same house issues Col. Knox's ample collection of "Dog Stories and Dog Lore," also profusely illustrated.

An uncommonly dainty and artistic child's book is the "Ida Waugh Alphabet Book" (Lippincott), with verses by Amy E. Blanchard. For excellence of design and beauty of execution this must rank among the very best juveniles of the season.

"Harper's Young People" for 1887 comes in its customary dress of green and red, with its nine hundred large pages crowded with matter fascinating to the young, to whom it is made more irresistible by its pictures upon almost every page.