roses and azaleas are the best, although with such even excellence it is hardly fair to suggest comparison. The covers are ornamental, with flower designs in gold and silver. No book of flowers of this season is more true to nature, or excels it in quality of work. (White, S. & A. $2.50.)

The Bird-Song Series.-Miss Fidelia Bridges fulfils all the promises made for her Bird-Songs Series and more than comes up to the most exacting anticipations. It is a pleasure to chronicle such a genuine

Works on Japan.-Of these two are now ready for purchasers. "A Muramasa Blade," by Louis Wertheimber, is a story of feudalism in old Japan, illustrated by Japanese artists. In his long years of rambling throughout rural Japan, the author acquired the rich fund of tradition, sentiment, and local color that enter into "A Muramasa Blade," and make it one of the most charming and most accurate representations of the inner life of these fascinating Orientals. Of the pictures, five are copper-plate engravings by Nakamura Munehiro, one of the best engravers now living

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success as these little books have made instantly. Not only are Miss Bridges' birds lovely, life-like little creatures in drawing and color, but they are most charmingly grouped. The accessories to all the pictures are flowers indigenous to the birds' native place, and hence consistent and characteristic. The delicate coloring of the entire series of studies, the extremely beautiful manner in which it is printed, and the exquisitely dainty finish of the books, in their rich covers of shaded bronze, with flowers and birds decorating them, place them among the most desirable souvenirs of the season. Miss Skelding, it will be remembered, edits the series, having selected the poetical studies that alternate with the plates. numbers so far issued are: "Songs of Birds," "Birds of Meadow and Grove," and Songsters of the Branches." Like their popular predecessors, The Flower-Songs Series, they are put up in the ivorine, sateen, and gilt-edged style of bindings. The same material embraced in these three books is used to form one larger volume bound in cloth under the name "Familiar Birds and What the Poets Sing of Them." It makes a beautiful gift-book, the paper being a heavy linen with ample margins, the binding luxurious in gold and colors. The same plates may again be had separately or in sets, unbound, printed on water-color paper, to serve as studies for young artists. (White, S. & A. 3 v., ea. $1; ivorine, $1.50.)

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in Japan. The other illustrations are from drawings made by Shirayama Dani. "The collectors of Japanese swords, sword-hilts, guards, and ornaments," says the N. Y. Times, "have in this tale from Old Japan a book that will take its place beside their choicest specimens." It is brought out in richly-ornamented Japanese cover at $3; in red Japanese Kioto brocaded silk at $5. "Japanese Homes," by Edward S. Morse, with three hundred illustrations, is, according to the Boston Beacon, "a delightful work, suitable for all tastes, readable under almost any circumstances, and as overflowing with cheer and mirth as it is impregnable and unassailable in scholarship." $5. (Ticknor.)

Two Pilgrims' Progress.-Joseph and Elizabeth Robins Pennell are the Pilgrims, and they progress from "Fair Florence to the eternal City of Rome," on a tricycle, and have a delightful time, seeing all there is to see and describing what they see in a bright, jolly way. The book is dedicated to Charles Godfrey Leland, "who is responsible for our first work together, and who has been the Great-Heart of many a pilgrimage taken in his company." Mr. Leland has written the introduction in verse of olden times, in the form of "A friend's apology for this book." Messrs. Roberts Brothers have made a very pretty book of this well-told tale of travel and incident. (Roberts Brothers. $2.)

The Christmas Carol.—It would seem to require courage to begin once more to illustrate Dickens' Christmas Carol, but the artists, I. M. Gaugengigl and T. V. Chominski, have had the required courage and have been very successful in their portraiture of the immortal Scrooge and the ghosts of past, present, and future that haunted him. The illustrations show very fine photogravure work. They are surrounded by ornamental designs in bronze, and Christmas holly, mistletoe and good cheer are liberally and tastefully introduced throughout the volume. It is 91⁄2 x 114 inches in size, which gives a good surface to show the fine printing as well as the methods of reproduction. One style of binding is cloth with Christmas holly embossed on a white panel; another style is full morocco, and there is also an édition de luxe on Japan paper, strictly limited to one hundred copies, with extra margins, put up in portfolio. (S. E. Cassino. cl., $9; mor., $13; éd. de luxe, $20.)

The Madonna of the Tubs.-" Miss Elizabeth Stuart Phelps," says the Boston Traveller, "has touched in this story of The Madonna of the Tubs,' a power and pathos peculiarly her own. Never, perhaps, did a work of imaginative creation more perfectly lend itself to the graphic arts, and the illustrations by Ross Turner and George H. Clements are worthy of the story." The chief charm of the story is its unpretentiousness; the scene is laid in a New England fishing village; the principal character is Ellen Jane Salt, who ekes out a scanty livelihood by washing for the summer boarders of Fairharbor. Helen Ritter, watching her at this ceaseless toil and ministry over her crippled child, noting as well Raffé's surroundings, gives Ellen Jane the fitting appellation, "The Madonna of the Tubs." The characters are all very clearly defined. Helen Ritter is charming in her rôle of patroness to the Salt family; Henry Salt is a typical New England fisherman, with a brood of rugged children, and one little suffering lad who claims the love of everybody; while Ellen Jane's loving care over all gives her the beauty of a madonna. As a holiday gift this exquisite Christmas story will be an universal favorite. (Houghton, M. & Co. $1.50.)

nette.

Marie Antoinette.-"Lord Roland Gower's sketch of the Last Days of the Marie Antoinette,'" says the Boston Post, "is one of the generously made-up books of which only a small edition is printed. Lord Gower has a deep affection and reverence for Marie AntoiHe has made a study of her life, and the unfortunate queen is a true heroine to him--a noble and beautiful woman, sweet, brave, royal in character and bearing, and most bitterly wronged. His story of her arrest, imprisonment, and death is indescribably touching, stirring the heart to pity, tenderness, admiration, and to hot indignation at the insults heaped upon the innocent, courteous woman, whose only crime was that she held an exalted position by birth and by marriage, and did not understand or know how to adapt herself to what was coarse, cruel, and base. There is something very charming and knightly in Lord Gower's loyalty to her, and in his reverence for her. The portrait is interesting, but not beautiful. The face is both sad and haughty, and looks older than thirty-eight, the age at which the queen was murdered. The sketch closes with the night of her execution, and that last entry made by Toly, the grave-digger :

For the bier of the Widow Capet, 6 livres. For the grave and the grave-diggers, 25 livres. And the Widow Capet' was Queen of France and Navarre and Archduchess of Austria. What fate could be more tragic, more dramatic!" (Roberts. $4.)

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Works. Riverside Edition. This is an entirely new and complete edition of Mr. Longfellow's writings, including his prose works in two volumes, his poems in six, and his translation of "Dante's Divina Commedia in three. It is intended to embrace all that Mr. Longfellow included in the latest edition of his works, together with all those pieces which have appeared since his death, with the sanction of his representatives. The text used is the last revised by the author, and is printed with scrupulous care to insure accuracy. Foot-notes to the poems show the various readings, as found in each case in the form of the poem as it appeared when first printed in a volume. Head-notes are frequently prefixed to poems, giving information respecting their suggestion and composition. It is designed to make this edition not only complete, but systematic in arrangement, and furnished with all literary, historical, biographical, and bibliographical equipment necessary to a full understanding and enjoyment of Mr. Longfellow's writings. The volumes contain about four hundred pages each, printed in large type, and bound in simple and tasteful style. There are several fine steel portraits of Mr. Longfellow, from approved paintings and photographs, representing him at different periods of his literary career. A more valuable present it would be hard to find upon the lists of publishers this season. (Houghton, M. & Co. II v., ea. $1.50; set, $16.50; hf. cf., $30.25; hf. levant, $44.)

The Vicar of Wakefield.-The charm of the book, besides the excellence of the printing and generally attractive appearance, lies in the illustrations. They are charmingly drawn bits, some interspersed through the page, others occupying the whole page, and all of them marked by a delicacy and refinement which are delightful. The process by which the colored pictures are reproduced is extremely delicate and beautiful, the colors being as transparent as watercolors, and laid with perfect clearness of outline and precision of detail. This edition of Oliver Goldsmith's famous English classic is illustrated and produced in so sumptuous a form and at so moderate a price that the entire edition should be speedily disposed of. It is uniform in size and style of illustrations with Gulliver's Travels," published last year. (Routledge. $5; 34 lev., $8; tr. cf., $10; full lev., $12.)

Humorous Masterpieces.-G. P. Putnam's Sons have published a collection of prose and poetry that ought to have a large sale among a people so appreciative of humor as the American. It is entitled "Humorous Masterpieces from American Literature," and is in three tastefully bound volumes of about 280 pages each. Almost all of the selections are prose, only Oliver Wendell Holmes' The Old Man Dreams," Saxe's "The Coquette," Lowell's "The Courtin'," Leland's "Going to Church," Bret Harte's "The Society upon the Stanislaus," Elizabeth Cavazza's“ Algernon, the Foot-stool Bearer," and a few others being admitted. The lists of authors quoted extends from Irving to the present day, and few who have won the right to admission have been overlooked or are unsatisfactorily represented. It is gratifying to find a growth of refinement in humor, in both language and action, and the gradual acquirement of humor's best influence. Rude, coarse, and violent humor seems to have been relegated, by common consent, to the pioneer life in American civilization, where it belongs. The editor has obeyed strictly his better taste, and brought together a collection which is a credit to American literature and unvarying delight to the most sensitive critic. (Putnam. $3.75; gilt top, $4.50.)

Books About Christmas.-A. D. F. Randolph & Co. | always seem imbued with the spirit of the Christmas season, and almost every book they get ready is full of the "story of old," told in prose, or verse, or picture, put in every kind of handsome dress, but still having as its first thought that "Christ is born in Bethlehem." Mary Leland McLanathan and Rosina Emmet have combined their talents in producing "Three Kings," which is a Christmas legend of long ago told in the style of the ballads of the time of "Good King Arthur." It is on tinted paper with rough side and gilt-top edges, has red initial letters and wide margins, and is promised in various styles of binding. ($2.) The successes of former years, "The Celestial Country," "The Holy Night," "A Happy Christmas-Time," "Centuries Ago," "The Song of the Angels," are even more beautiful for this year in their pure white rough paper cover, with the fine rough-edged paper and the

perfectly finished reproductions of the chefs-d'œuvre of the old masters. The titles are in silver or purple in every variety of type. "Christmas-tide in Song and Story" has been put in 16mo shape with rough side edges and gilt top, and reduced in price, and is sure of a new lease of the far-reaching favor accorded it last season. It is a collection of religious and secular writings relating to the world's great festival of the birth of a Saviour. The religious selections occupy the first fifty pages, and include some of the most beautiful Christian hymns and poems. The introduction is St. Luke's version of the nativity. The second half of the book is secular and admirably selected, including papers from the Spectator; "Tiny Tim's Christmas Dinner;" three cantos of " In Memoriam;" "Christmas at Bracebridge Hall," from Washington Irving's "Sketch-book;" a translation of a German fairy-tale about Christmas, etc. ($1.50.) (Randolph.)

year its columns have been devoted largely to articles about the Civil War, each article taking some episode of those dark days and giving a version of the events it chronicles, the truth of which is vouched for by the well-known name of the writer. This enterprise has been carried out without regard to the expense, which in many instances has been enormous. All these articles are illustrated, and there attaches to them the double interest of being accurate histories and a gallery of portraits and representations of localities of which the names were on every tongue twenty-five years ago. This volume is a valuable gift and the next promises to be quite as full of interest. The November number, which begins the new volume, contains the first instalment of the "Life of Lincoln," which is receiving great praise from the press of both North and South, in which the critical journals of Great Britain heartily join. The New York Star says: "We shall look forward to the succeeding numbers of what promises to be the most remarkable biography ever published in the United States." A subscription to the coming volume would be a Christmas present that would be appreciated throughout the year. (Century Co. Yearly subs., $4.)

The Century Co.'s Standards.-Several old and dear favorites have been made cheaper this year in price although they preserve every detail of their old beauty. "Sport with Gun and Rod," that standard work on matters connected with field and stream, has been reduced to $4, and the édition de luxe, royally illustrated, printed on heavy paper and richly bound, can now be had from $10 to $18. A finer gift could not be made to a friend of sporting tastes. "The Life of William Lloyd Garrison," by his children, and the "Life of Samuel Bowles," by George S. Merriam, each in two volumes, have also been reduced to $3 each. These books should be in the library of every patriotic American reader. The beautiful children's books, "St. Nicholas Songs" and "Baby World," are also reduced. The "Songs" sold last year for $3.50, and are now $2 and," Baby World," that " 'thing of beauty," can be had for $1.25. (Century Co.) Frances Ridley Havergal's Books.-Many of the writings of Frances Ridley Havergal, who holds so secure a place in the hearts of lovers of devotional books, have been combined in one volume published

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under the title of "Royal Grace and Royal Gifts." It comprises "Royal Commandments," " Royal Bounty," "Kept for the Master's Use," "My King," "The Royal Invitation," and Loyal Responses," and has a welcome chapter by John R. Miller on the "Consecrated Life" of the author ($1). Rose Potter has an exquisite little volume, A Heart to Heart Diary" ($1), tastefully bound in half cloth, which she calls "In Quietness and Confidence," and dedicated to the blessed memory of her mother, whose earthly life taught

"When He giveth quietness

Who then can make trouble?"

Two tempting little booklets by the undeclared author of "Rest" and " Peace" are "Confiding" and " Abiding," collections of religious poetry, put up in flexible covers, decorated with daisies, and sold at the very low sum of 35 c. each. (Randolph.)

The Pearl Series.-" The daintiest of dainty literature-volumes bound in blue moire, fit for Queen Titania to handle, put up in a gold box, scarlet-lined, constitute the Pearl Series. The little volumes are entitled 'Reflection,' 'Wit and Humor,' ' Fancy,' 'Faith, Hope, and Charity,'' Love,' and 'The Poet's Garden,' and consist of selections on these topics made," says the Boston Traveller, "with discriminating taste, from the best literatures of all lands. The idea is a novel one, and the set is an exquisite thing for a lady's boudoir." It forms a companion set to the very popular Nutshell Series of prose selections published last season. (Putnam. 6 v., ea. 50 c.; in set, $3.)

Some Essays of Elia.-D. Appleton & Co. have an exquisite edition of the best-known essays of Charles Lamb, to be known as "Some Essays of Elia." It has more than one hundred illustrations by C. O. Murray, showing very artistic pen-and-ink drawings ($2). They have also "The Warwick Shakspere," a new edition of the complete works of Shakspere, in twelve volumes, 16mo, bound in cloth or in half leather, and put up in a tasteful cloth box. It is from the same type as the "Parchment Shakspere," but printed on thinner paper, making handier and more flexible volumes, at a lower price, and retaining the peculiar elegance of that edition. (Appleton., 12 v., $9.)