What books to lend and what to give

CONTENTS.

WHAT BOOKS TO LEND AND WHAT TO GIVE. — INTRODUCTION.

Wholesome and amusing literature has become almost a necessity among the appliances of parish work. The power of reading leads, in most cases, to the craving for books. If good be not provided, evil will be only too easily found, and it is absolutely necessary to raise the taste so as to lead to a voluntary avoidance of the profane and disgusting.

Books of a superior class are the only means of such cultivation. It has been found that where really able and interesting literature is to be had, there is much less disposition to prey upon garbage. And the school lessons on English have this effect, that they make book-language comprehensible far more widely than has hitherto been the case.

A library is an almost indispensable adjunct to a school, if the children are to be lured to stay at home instead of playing questionable games in the dark, or by gaslight, out of doors; and an amusing story is the best chance of their not exasperating the weary father with noise. If the boy is not to betake himself to ‘Jack Sheppard’ literature, he must be beguiled by wholesome adventure. If the girl is not to study the ‘penny dreadful,’ her notions must be refined by the tale of high romance or pure pathos.

The children at school are often eager readers, especially if they have sensible parents who forbid roaming about in the evening. There ought always to be a school library unless the children are provided for in the general parish library; but even this requires careful selection. Weak, dull, or unnatural books may be absolutely harmful when falling into rude or scornful hands. For instance, a country lad should not have a book where a farmer gives a prize for climbing an elm-tree to take a blackbird’s nest, such a proceeding being equally against the nature of farmers, blackbirds, and elms. Seafaring lads should not have incorrectly worded accounts of wrecks; and where more serious matters come in, there should be still greater care to be strong, true, and real. Boys especially should not have childish tales with weak morality or ‘washy’ piety; but should have heroism and nobleness kept before their eyes; and learn to despise all that is untruthful or cowardly and to respect womanhood. True manhood needs, above all earthly qualities, to be impressed on them, and books of example (not precept) with heroes, whose sentiments they admire, may always raise their tone, sometimes individually, sometimes collectively.

Men, however, must have manly books. Real solid literature alone will arrest their attention. They grudge the trouble of reading what they do not accept as truth, unless it is some book whose fame has reached their ears, and to have read which they regard as an achievement.

Where grown men are subscribers to a library, it should have standard works of well-known reputation.

Travels, biographies, not too long, poetry, histories of contemporaneous events, and fiction of the kind that may be called classical, should be the staple for them. It is hardly advisable to attempt to give a list for them. Their books belong to general literature, with which I do not wish to meddle, and besides, reading men mostly inhabit towns where there are generally Institutes from which they can obtain books. In the country, when the clever cobbler or gardener soars above the village library, he will generally have a decided notion of what he wants, and will respect a special loan from our own shelves. He may take to some line in natural science, or have some personal cause for interest in a colony; but in general, the labourer would rather smoke than read in his hours of rest, and even when laid aside in a hospital, newspaper scraps pasted into a book are often more welcome to him than more continuous subjects. Above all, he resents being written down to or laughed at; and calling him Hodge and Chawbacon is the sure way to alienate him.

Books with strong imitations of dialect are to be avoided. They are almost unintelligible to those who know the look of a word in its right spelling, though they might miscall it, and do not recognise it when phonetically travestied to imitate a local dialect, as for instance by ah for I. Moreover, they feel it a caricature of their language, and are very reasonably insulted. They do not appreciate simplicity, but are in the stage of civilisation when long words are rather preferred, partly as a compliment, partly as a new language. Complicated phrases are often too much for them, but polysyllables need not be avoided, if such are really needed to express an idea, and will do it better than any shorter word.

Though men either read with strong appetites or not at all, their wives, in these days of education, generally love fiction. They do not want to be improved, but they like to lose their cares for a little while in some tale that excites either tears or laughter. It is all very well to say that they ought to have no time for reading. An industrious thrifty woman has little or none, but the cottager’s wife who does as little needlework, washing, or tidying as possible, has a good many hours to spend in gossip or in reading. She may get cheap sensational novels, and the effects on a weak and narrow mind are often very serious. The only thing to be done is to take care that she has access to a full supply of what can do her no harm, and may by reiteration do her good, though the links between book and action are in many cases never joined. Sometimes they are not connected at all, sometimes a strong impression is unexpectedly made. But this class of women must have incident, pathos, and sentiment to attract them. The old-fashioned book where Betty rebukes Polly in set language for wearing a red cloak instead of a grey one, and eating new bread instead of old, will meet with no attention. But if the moral of the tale be sound, and the tone of the characters who bespeak sympathy, high, pure, and good, the standard of the reader, however frivolous, must be insensibly raised. At any rate, by withholding books because the cottage woman ought to be too busy to want them, we do not render her more industrious, but we leave her exposed to catering for herself in undesirable regions.

There remain the thrifty, sensible, good women who, if they read at all, do so in their Sunday leisure, and like a serious book. Neither variety of woman likes a book manifestly for children lent to themselves, though they do enjoy anything about a baby from the maternal point of view.

There are such different degrees of intelligence and civilisation among the women who frequent mothers’ meetings that it is difficult to make suggestions applying to all. Some of these meetings are attended so irregularly that it is not possible to read anything continuous, whereas in others a sustained interest promotes regularity. A little religious instruction or exhortation, a little domestic or sanitary instruction, and a lively or pathetic narrative seem to answer best, and I have endeavoured to collect the titles of books useful in this respect. The two first, however, are best given extempore if a clergyman will come for the first, and a lady who has attended ambulance classes can be secured for the second.

The lad or young man species comes next. There are a few of these with a thirst for information, and it is important to supply this in a sound and wholesome form. Some like poetry, but the general run can only be induced to read at all by adventurous or humorous tales.

Those who act as Sunday school teachers may, however, be led to study books bearing on the subjects they have to teach, or to get up for certificates, and thus may be brought to take an interest in religious literature, which may deepen as they grow older.

There is always, too, a certain proportion who have a strong turn for fact, and like to have solid truth before them. Of course all these can read the same books as the elder men, and even more difficult ones, as their education has gone farther; but they need more that is light, easy, and inviting, and a lending-library or reading-room requires a supply fitted for both.

It is a pity there is not more good biography suited for this purpose. The popularity of Miss Marsh’s ‘Hedley Vicars’ showed what a book written without too much detail and with general interest might be. Some of Smiles’s biographies come near the mark, also some American ones, and those shilling books of Cassell’s called ‘The World’s Workers,’ also some published by Nelson and by Blackie.

Good books of travels, too, are increasing favourites; also such books as ‘Her Majesty’s Mail,’ and ‘Engine-Driving Life.’ In fact, whatever wholesomely interests our own households may well be sent into the club-room, provided it do not presuppose too much culture. Many of these books may be bought second-hand at a cheap rate from the Libraries. And there should be a good stock of standard fiction: Scott, Dickens, Fenimore Cooper, are all to be had at almost any price, and would pretty well supply in themselves the requirements of reading-room fiction.

The corresponding class of girls and young women are for the most part indiscriminate devourers of fiction, and, like the women before mentioned, need to have their appetite rightly directed. But there is more hope of them than of their elders, and their ideal is capable of being raised by high-minded tales, which may refine their notions. The semi-religious novel or novelette is to them moralising put into action, and the most likely way of reaching them.

We must not be too hasty to condemn their frivolous tastes. Whether in business or in service, they are tired, the book is recreation, and they cannot be expected to want to improve themselves when their brains and bodies are alike weary. Still we can supply them with books that will not give them false views of life, and that will foster enthusiasm for courage and truth, make vulgarity disgusting, and show religion as the only true spring of life. Through classes for Sunday teachers, and Communicants’ or Bible classes, some spirit of religious study may be infused.

As to secular self-improvement, the students will always be few and far between, and the experience of most libraries is that there is little or no demand for improving books. So much is taught that there is little inclination to learn. A reaction sometimes comes to men, but seldom to women, whose home industries and occupations necessarily absorb them so that their reading must be either devotional or recreative.

Thus there is very little call for improving books in the lending library, in proportion to those meant for recreation; but I would urge that they should be used for prizes. At present, the usual habit is to choose gay outsides and pretty pictures, with little heed to the contents, but it should be remembered that the lent book is ephemeral, read in a week and passed on, while the prize remains, is exhibited to relatives and friends, is read over and over, becomes a resource in illness, and forms part of the possessions to be handed on to the next generation. Therefore, after the infant period, the reward book should generally be of some worthiness, either religious, improving, or at least standard fiction. Weakness and poverty of thought should be avoided, especially as these books may fall into the hands of clever, ungodly men, and serve to excite their mockery. It should be remembered that the child to whom the book is given will not always remain a child, and therefore that it is better to let the new and cherished possession go beyond its present level of taste or capacity.

The elder lad, whose schooldays are over, sometimes begins to waken to intelligence, and to be ready to seek information, in some cases being glad of really deep reading on scientific, political, or theological subjects, and it is all-important to preoccupy his mind with sound views before he meets with specious trash. Many indeed both of lads and men are absorbed in actual practical life and never read at all, or nothing but newspapers. Yet even these when laid low by illness will accept a book to pass away the weary hours.

Nothing, of course, can equal the effect of personal influence, from schoolmaster, clergyman, or lady, but each of these may find books, lent, recommended, or read aloud, of great assistance.

Some books of advice deprecate reading aloud in Sunday schools. My own experience, now of many years, is that it is of great assistance in impressing the scholars, and gives great pleasure. I have been told of my old pupils mentioning it as one of the enjoyments of their younger days; and when a part of a story has been missed by absence, the connection is eagerly supplied by the listeners who have been present. Moreover, those books in the lending library are always most sought after which have been read aloud, and sometimes elucidated, either at the Sunday school or at the mothers’ meeting.

But books for this purpose must be carefully selected, with a view to the capacities and tastes of the listeners, and be read really well and dramatically, watching the eyes of the hearers—a rapid or monotonous utterance is almost useless, and inattention leads to bad habits.

There is no reason against giving tales about persons in different stations of life from that of those who receive them, and in fact they are often preferred; but it is as well to avoid those that deal with temptations or enjoyments out of reach of the school-child; or which dwell on beauty, finery, dainties, or any variety of pomps or vanities as delights of wealth or rank. The enjoyment that authors have in describing a lovely, beautifully-dressed child in a charming attitude should be sacrificed in writing for children of any rank, unless they are to learn vanity and affectation, or else be set to covet such pleasures.

It is curious to find how many stories have become obsolete. Not only have the tales where vanity is displayed by wearing white stockings and

become archaic; but the stories of the good children who are household supports and little nurses, picking up chance crumbs of instruction, have lost all present reality such as the younger and less clever children require.

Elder ones, if they have any imagination, prefer what does not run in the grooves of their daily life, and some are much more willing to listen to, or to read, what is not too obviously written for them. A book labelled ‘A tale for—’ is apt to carry a note of warning to the perverse spirits of those to whom it is addressed.

Historical tales and those of other lands require a certain degree of cultivation and imagination, to be appreciated. To some, even the best are distasteful, to others they supply the element of romance. Those that have a charm about them of character and adventure, fitting them for almost all readers, have been put into the groups intended for the age they suit, as well as into their places as illustrations of history.

I endeavour to give here a classified list that may be an assistance in the choice of books. It is not an advertisement. Most of the books I have personally proved. No doubt many readers will be disappointed at omissions, but it is quite impossible to answer for all the books in existence, and my object here is to suggest the fittest for the purposes of lending, reading aloud, or giving. It is no condemnation of a work that its name does not appear in this list—only it has either not become known to me, or has not appeared to me so eminently desirable as the others.

The lists of books in the present work have been drawn up in different gradations, a great number of them having been actually proved by reading aloud. There are many very fairly suitable for lending, not equally good for reading aloud, as lengthiness, description, and over-moralising, hang on hand with a mixed class; and, in other cases, the reader seems to be inculcating with authority all that is uttered, and thus gives a sense of preaching instead of amusing.

The tales that have any dissenting bias, or which appear to involve false doctrine, are of course omitted, though all those here mentioned do not belong to the same school of thought within the Church.

The classified list then includes books for:—

Little Ones.—Fit to be read or given to children from four to eight.

Junior Classes.—Children from seven or eight to ten or eleven.

Senior Classes.—From ten upwards.

Boys.—The books may be read by girls also, but most boys will not read girls’ books, therefore their literature is put separately.

Drawing Room Stories.—The best are mentioned here, but all, though excellent, are, on experience, out of the ken of the school child.

On the Catechism.

On Confirmation.

On the Prayer Book.

On the Bible.

Allegories.

Stories on Church History.

” English History.

” General History.

Mythological Tales.

Novelettes.

Fairy Tales.

Mothers’ Meetings.

Mission Working Parties.

Descriptions of Countries.

Adventures.

Biography.

History.

Church History.

Natural History and Popular Science.

Religious Books.

Magazines.

Penny Readings.

It should be clearly understood that nobody is urged to have anything like all the books here mentioned, but that the object is to answer the oft-recurring question—Where shall I find a book suited for such and such a purpose?

I have added a few suggestions of extracts for penny readings, but it is not easy to collect enough that do not verge on buffoonery, or that have no element of vulgarity; and indeed there is so much variation of tastes according to the tone and training of the audience, that it is hardly possible to tell what will be suited for hearers of each degree of culture. Some delight in pathos or adventure, and others will do nothing but laugh, and become noisy at anything that is not highly comic. Such books for the purpose as I have seen, between difficulty about copyright and desire of novelty and drollery, do not avoid vulgarity. N.B.—It is advisable to inspect thoroughly everything offered by volunteers for reading, recitation, or singing.

It has, however, been thought better not to enter upon the tracts and sermons, such as a parish priest or district visitor would give for private use or specific purpose, as they are devotional, and scarcely to be spread broad-cast by the Library. Every librarian must cater for his own clients according to their tastes and needs. No doubt much is here left out that will be found useful in some places, but the attempt has been made to offer suggestions, and to collect, from various quarters, names that may serve to assist in the selection of books for the various needs of a parish.

LITTLE ONES.

The books in the following list are what have been read to children from five or six to eight years old and proved to be interesting to them. Their eyes and attention soon show whether the book is liked. And, though it may hardly be believed, it is more difficult to write a story suited to them than to any other class, since it must be perfectly easy and simple, and yet have some interest in it, such as they can understand. Stories that are in fact a study of children with peculiar ways and odd sayings are of no use. The tale must take the child’s point of view, yet without obviously writing down to its level, and any moral must be pointed as tersely and briefly as possible. Unluckily several of those I have found most successful have gone out of print—namely, ‘The White Kitten,’ and ‘Out in the Dark,’ in early packets of the books Mr. Burns used to publish, and ‘Little Lucy’ and ‘A Tale of a Tail’ (S.P.C.K.). I have looked over multitudes of tiny books, but only a few have the special charm that will keep a whole class devouring the reader with their eyes, and be welcomed even if read over and over again. I have not here mentioned Mrs. Ewing’s beautiful series of verse-books for children, with their charming illustrations, because they are really studies of childhood, and more fit for the drawing-room than the cottage or school. The same may be said of the very pretty Everyday Fables, the letterpress of which is quite beyond little children. The best thing for the youngest class of four, five, or six years old, is the ‘Child’s own Picture Paper’ (Dean), Aunt Louisa’s books (Warne), and the ‘Child’s Illustrated Scripture History’ (S.P.C.K.), 4 parts, price 1s. each. Or, if the class be too large for showing them pictures in a book, detached ones on an easel are useful. One or two sacred ones, well explained, are enough, and a few secular ones may follow. Let me hint that undraped figures, shown to poor children, are undesirable, and that if there is a mistake in the accessories, by some fatality, they are sure to admire it. Cassell’s ‘Little Pet’s Posy,’ 1s. 6d., or ‘Little Chimes,’ 1s. 6d., will give amusing bits to read to the tiny children, but lending is of no use unless they are ill. A complete set of pictures illustrating the Gospels, or the lessons for nearly every Sunday in the Christian year, can be arranged from the stores of the S.P.C.K., the R.T.S., and Cassell’s ‘Child’s Bible and Life of Christ,’ 7s. 6d.

1. Children’s Album. (Cassell) 1s. 6d.

2. Baby’s Album. (Cassell)

3. Miss Angelina. (S.P.C.K.) 1d.

A doll, lost by a young lady, and prized by a poor little cripple till the owner is discovered, and there is a great struggle of honesty on the one hand, generosity on the other.

4. Tales for Me to read to Myself. (Masters) 2s. 6d.

The little boy who has to take a donkey cart to market for the first time, and is teased by rude companions, excites unfailing interest.

5. Langley Little Ones. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s.

This contains several short tales mentioned below: ‘Fanny’s Doll,’ ‘Bully Brindle,’ ‘Snowdrop’s Eggs,’ &c.

6. Our Ethel. (S.P.C.K.) 6d.

Should be read to small children apt to be put in charge of smaller ones.

7. Little Men and Little Women. (Walter Smith) 2d.

Rather disjointed, but fit for the tinies.

8. Quack, Quack. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.

Inculcating the penny savings bank.

9. Patz and Putz, or the Story of Two Bears. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

Interests a little class.

10. Tumble-down Dick. (S.P.C.K.) 1d.

Birds’-nesting. A wholesome lesson.

11. A Miller, a Mollar, a Ten o’Clock Scholar. By C. M. Yonge. 3d.

On playing truant.

12. Fanny’s Doll. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.

For small children.

13. Idle Harry. (Walter Smith) 3d.

14. Leonard the Lion Heart. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 9d.

On boasting.

15. The Apple Tree. (Walter Smith) 1d.

A naughty and a good little boy under temptation. I have known of an impression made by it.

16. Playing with Fire. (Walter Smith) 1d.

A wholesome warning.

17. Little Susy’s Six Birthdays. By Mrs. Prentice. (Nelson) 2s.

Popularity proved. Circumstantial enough to be delightful to little children.

18. Fanny Sylvester. By Mrs. Cupples. (Nelson) 9d.

A lonely town child transplanted into the country.

19. Bully Brindle. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.

Two small children sent out in the dark to fetch help after an accident.

JUNIOR CLASSES.

For Children from Eight to Ten Years old.

The books here given are of a somewhat homely and simple order, such as are understood and liked by children without much cultivation or knowledge of the world—average ones, in fact; for the intelligent and eager ones, or those who have some home culture, need something of a higher order.

20. Louie White’s Hop-picking. By Amabel Jenner. (Griffith, Farran & Co.) 6d.

A good picture of Kentish hopping, introducing a brisk little London maiden, as inferior to her homely cousins in practical usefulness as she is superior in knowledge.

21. The Lion Battalion. By Mary Hullah. (Hatchards) 2s. 6d.

Several short stories. The first is of a tiny German boy who makes imaginary soldiers of buttons and abstracts a whole brilliant regiment from his little friend’s jacket. It is less good than the second, ‘The Fireman’s Little Maid,’ a friendship between a fireman and a little neglected girl. Read aloud, it has charmed a third standard class and a mothers’ meeting.

22. Smuts and Diamonds. By Selina Gaye. (Remington) 5s.

The first tale is on Christian brotherhood; the second, ‘Who did It?’ is of the mysterious painting of the effigy of a pig hung at the pork butcher’s. It is my resource when I have to keep a mixed troop of children quiet while waiting. The third, ‘Three Little Sisters,’ is a warning to little nurses to be faithful.

23. Golden Gorse. By Florence Wilford. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

A London child’s first visit to the country, with her help to her more backward cousins.

24. The Heavy Sixpence. (S.P.C.K.) 3d.

An overcharge, weighing down the conscience.

25. Missy and Master. By Mary Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

Missy had been a member of a circus troupe. Master was the pony she used to ride. Her taming down in an orphan asylum is well told.

26. The Christmas Mummers. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.

This story preserves the old Hampshire custom of ‘Mumming.’

27. Langley School. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3s.

28. Lads and Lasses of Langley. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s.

29. Langley Adventures. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.

‘Langley School’ was written many years ago. The others are of the present day, of examinations, &c.

30. Pickle and his Page Boy. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s.

A boy and a Skye terrier who try to be faithful.

31. Godmother’s Whim. (S.P.C.K.) 4d.

A treasure concealed in a ball of worsted.

32. Michael the Chorister. (Walter Smith) 6d.

One of the first tales of little choristers, and with a great simplicity and beauty.

33. A Bright Farthing. By S. M. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

A good child’s story of the temptation to conceit and self-exaltation.

34. Grannie’s Wardrobe. (S.P.C.K.) 9d.

A case of curiosity and untruth, well told.

35. The Railroad Children. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 6d.

May be a help with unbaptised children.

36. The Secret of a Ball of Wool. (S.P.C.K.) 2d.

Is the same idea as the ‘Godmother’s Whim,’ but is told by a Russian nurse and is more amusing.

37. Harriet and her Sister. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.

A warning against concealing an accident; but the child left alone all day in charge of a baby is a thing of the past.

38. Snowdrop’s Eggs. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.

Against pilfering.

39. The Third Standard. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.

The consequences of children copying each other’s marks in school.

40. Wolf. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.

Adventures of a set of Christmas carollers.

41. The Wood Cart and other Tales. By F. M. Peard. (Walter Smith) 2s.

Excellent tales of peasant life in France which delight English children.

42. The Old Garden Door. (Walter Smith) 2d.

A little girl who gets into a scrape by aiding in surreptitious transactions between a hawker and some boarding-school young ladies. The children left at home to the care of a young elder are things of the past, but the child nature is true in all times.

43. Uncle Henry’s Present. (Walter Smith) 2d.

A droll lesson on curiosity.

44. The White Satin Shoes. (Walter Smith) 2d.

Equally telling on vanity.

45. Cheap Jack. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.

Adventures of some beads ill obtained.

46. Mary and Florence. By A. Fraser Tytler. (Hatchards) 3s. 6d.

This is an unfailing favourite, a children’s classic of fifty years’ standing.

47. The Star in the Dustheap. By the Hon. Mrs. Greene. (Warne) 3s. 6d.

Very touching.

48. Froggy’s Little Brother. By Brenda. (Shaw) 6d. or 3s. 6d.

A touching tale of street Arabs. Interest in it seems to be uncertain among children—one class has liked it, another virtually hissed it by inattention.

49. Little Meg’s Children. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.

More powerful than ‘Froggie.’ Also of London children in a garret, where the faithful little elder sister struggles to take care of the little ones till her father’s return from a voyage. This is as fit for mothers as for children. There are multitudes more of these street Arab tales, most of them written from fancy. It is possible to have too many of them, so only the names of these two best are given here.

50. The City Violet. By C. Winchester. (Seeley) 5s.

There are violent improbabilities here, but children like the book, and listen to it eagerly. The lesson of Christian love is taught by an old bedridden woman to various classes of children, among whom are some of the circus children, who have such a fascination for young readers.

51. Little Lives and a Great Love. By Florence Wilford. (Masters) 2s. 6d.

Four tales designed to illustrate the text, ‘The love of Christ constraineth us,’ in a scale gradually ascending. Of the four, only the first is historical.

52. Helpful Sam. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 6d.

A very real and quaint young chimney sweep.

53. The Beautiful Face. By Mrs. Mitchell. (Masters) 4s. 6d.

A veritable child’s romance, not attempting to be historical, but graceful, tender, and bright enough to delight children.

54. Dandy. (S.P.C.K.) 6d.

A pleasant story of a lost dog.

55. Ben Sylvester’s Word. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d. or 1s.

The value of truth in a witness. The murder in this has secured its popularity.

56. Little May and her friend Conscience. By Mrs. Cupples. (Nelson) 9d.

A debate with conscience.

57. Tim’s Basket. (Nelson) 6d.

Might cheer a crippled child.

58. Story of a Needle. By A.L.O.E. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

Autobiographical.

59. The Two Watches. By the Author of ‘Copsley Annals.’ (Nelson) 1s.

Didactic but lively.

60. Baby’s Prayerbook. By Mrs. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 8d.

A tiny girl unconsciously leading her elder brother to a right course.

61. Wings and Stings. By A.L.O.E. (Nelson) 1s.

Once this was read to a class who delighted in it. Another year it fell flat, owing, perhaps, to the children having less imagination.

62. It’s his Way. By the Author of ‘Copsley Annals.’ (Nelson) 1s.

Very good for reading aloud.

63. Northope Cave. By Mrs. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.)

Seaside adventures, a brave little self-devoted fisher-boy among babies.

SENIOR CLASSES.

For Children from Ten Years old to Twelve: Fourth Standard and upwards.

Most children are advanced enough at this age to prefer what is a little out of their own field; though here there will always be the differing tastes for adventure or character, and imaginative or matter-of-fact literature. What will fall flat with some will be appreciated by others; and, in general, what has been read to them is best liked. Explanations can be given, right intonations are explanatory in themselves, and foreign or unusual names are better understood.

64. Under the Lilacs. By Louisa Alcott. (Sampson Low) 2s.

A stray boy and poodle, escaped from a circus, arrive in the middle of a doll’s feast held by a widow’s little girls. The house becomes their home, and the scenes are delightful, especially when the poor dog is lost and comes back minus his tail.

65. On Angels’ Wings. By the Hon. Mrs. Greene. (Nelson) 5s.

Pathetic and tender. A deformed and sickly child in a German town has to part with her father on his summons to the war. Little Violet’s patience, the drolleries of her little friends, the kindness of the old policeman, and the thoughtlessness of her young nurse go to children’s hearts.

66. The Abbey by the Sea. By Mrs. Molesworth. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

A furniture designer of evidently much cultivation with his little daughter by the sea-side. Perhaps too ideal, but refining.

67. The Golden Thread. By Dr. Norman McLeod. (Isbister) 2s. 6d.

This will also be found among the allegories, but it is, even as a mere story or romance, so charming to young listeners that it is here introduced.

68. Feats on the Fiord. By Harriet Martineau. (Routledge) 1s. and 1s. 6d. (With 40 illustrations, 2s.)

Too lively and amusing to be out of date. Norwegian life is made perhaps rather too rose-coloured, but the adventures have a merit and interest apart from actual truth to nature.

69. The Ghost of Greythorn Manor. (Nelson) 6s.

May be useful where children or servants fear a haunted house.

70. Little Rosa. By Mrs. Prentice. (Nelson) 6d.

Fittest for the poor children to whom Father is a word of fear.

71. The Magpie’s Nest. (Nelson) 6d.

72. The Children on the Plains. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

Adventures on the Prairies with Red Indians; a good deal of religious talk.

73. Daughter of the Regiment. (Sunday School Union) 2s.

Children captured by Red Indians.

74. Leila, or the Island. By M. Fraser Tytler. (Hatchards) 3s. 6d.

Leila has always been an unfailing favourite. The second and third parts of her story are unequal to the first volume, which is improbable enough, but such pretty and pleasant reading, and so sound-hearted, that it is quite a child’s classic.

75. Mr. Burke’s Nieces. (Cassell) 2s.

Confusion of identity between two children brought home from India, one of whom the Irish barrister believes to be his niece. It turns upon jealousy.

76. Little Hinges. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

A child’s disobedience in apparently a small matter leads to great family misfortunes. A sound lesson against ‘doing right in our own eyes.’

77. The Thorn Fortress. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

This will be classed among historical tales, as it belongs to the period of the Thirty Years’ War, but the interest is sufficient to win children quite ignorant of the history of the period. The inhabitants of a village in the track of the armies have a refuge in the forest, impregnably fenced with thorn bushes. The adventures of a little maiden, who falls into the hands of the marauders, and wins their heart by her innocent sweetness, are enjoyed by all readers and hearers.

78. Max Krömer. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.

The Siege of Strasburg from a child’s point of view.

79. Lost in Egypt. By Miss M. L. Whately. (R.T.S.) 4s.

The adventures of the little daughter of an English engineer, suddenly left an orphan in a remote place, and abandoned by the servants. She is adopted by a peasant woman, and afterwards has experience of several Egyptian houses before she is recovered by her English grandmother. Here and there it is lengthy, and some conversations might be spared, but it has been listened to and read with great interest.

80. The Blue Ribbons. By Anna Harriet Drury. (Kerby) 3s. 6d.

Founded on the anecdote of Marie Antoinette acting fairy to the child she met in the wood.

81. Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates. By Mary M. Dodge. (Sampson Low) 1s.

Delightful scenes of Dutch winter life.

82. The Oak Staircase. By M. and C. Lee. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

This is the best for reading aloud of the three historical tales by these ladies. It begins with a child wedding in the days of Charles II. The little bride (a Countess) is sent to school at Taunton, where the mistress, a Huguenot, is enthusiastic in Monmouth’s cause, and the poor girls are among ‘the maids of Taunton.’ The young husband intercedes, but goes into banishment with the Jacobites, and his wife has in after times to procure his pardon, after which they begin their married life. The book has been found very attractive to children.

83. The White Chapel. By Esmé Stuart. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

A dreamy child’s adventure, very prettily told, connecting the little white curtained bed with the white chantry chapel in a cathedral.

84. The Carved Cartoon. By Austin Clare. (S.P.C.K.) 4s.

This has been much enjoyed when read aloud to somewhat intelligent Sunday-school children in the country, and Londoners always like it. The title is unfortunate, for a cartoon cannot be carved, and what is meant is a copy of a cartoon made by Grinling Gibbons, whose adventures in the Plague and Fire of London are made very interesting.

85. Ivo and Verena. (Masters) 2s.

A beautiful little Fouqué-like tale of early Christianity in the North.

86. Peggy and other Tales. By Florence Montgomery. (Cassell) 2s.

This may be useful where temperance tales are required, though we rather wonder at the father who chose such a subject to amuse his little children.

87. The Ambition of Kate Hicks. (S.P.C.K.) 4d.

Useful for girls going out to service.

88. The Grey House on the Hill. By the Hon. Mrs. Greene. (Nelson) 2s. 6d.

A lonely page-boy falsely accused.

89. I must keep the Chimes going. By Miss Elliot. (Seeley) 1s. 6d.

A very beautiful story of a girl in a hard place, but with a cheerful spirit.

90. Friarswood Post Office. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.

A history of a workhouse lad, founded on fact.

91. The Pink Silk Handkerchief. (Walter Smith) 2d.

A useful tale of deceit and vanity.

92. The Girls of Flaxby. By C. R. Coleridge. (Walter Smith) 2s.

Pupil-teachers shown in a manner useful to them and still more so to those who have to deal with them.

93. Lads and Lasses of Langley. By C. M. Yonge. 2s. (See No. 28.)

Stories of village life, chiefly for the elder children; curiosity and a few other follies shown up.

94. Polly Spanker’s Green Feather. By Mrs. Walford. (S.P.C.K.) 4d.

Droll disaster with finery.

95. Sowing and Sewing. By C. M. Yonge. (W. Smith) 1s. 6d.

An endeavour practically to illustrate the Parable of the Sower.

96. Stories of Youth and Childhood. (Walter Smith) 2s.

These first appeared in the ‘Magazine for the Young,’ and are very good. Phœbe, who is sent to the hospital, is our special favourite.

97. Copsley Annals. By Miss Elliot. (Seeley) 1s. 6d.

These are unusually interesting. The supposed ghost, which turns out to be a clock whirring, excites breathless interest. The last story is better fitted for mothers than children.

98. The House of the Little Wizard. (Hatchards) 3s. 6d.

99. Goldhanger Woods. By M. and C. Lee. (National Society) 2s.

This calls itself a child’s romance, and has some exciting adventures.

100. My Great Aunt’s Cat. (S.P.C.K.) 2d.

A droll and wholesome warning against false excuses.

101. Uncle Ivan. By M. Bramston. (National Society) 2s. 6d.

Two sisters have to guard the papers of their uncle, a political exile, against spies. Very amusing for rather advanced readers such as pupil teachers.

102. Wild Thyme. (S.P.C.K.) 4d.

103. Susan Pascoe’s Temptation. (S.P.C.K.) 4d.

The first of these is very touching, the second its continuation and a good lesson.

104. Self Conquest. By Florence Wilford. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

Another rescue from a circus.

105. Marty and the Mite Boxes. (Shaw) 3s. 6d.

An American story of contributions to a church, and the exertions of a rough little set of choir boys.

106. Little Jeanneton’s Work. By C. A. Jones. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

A little shepherdess whom the young lady of the château nearly spoils by making her Arcadian. Very prettily illustrated.

107. A Peep behind the Scenes. By Mrs. Walton. (R.T.S.) 3s. 6d.

A great favourite.

108. Nimpo’s Troubles. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

This is an American story of a self-willed child, which children like very much. She chooses during her mother’s absence from home to board with people of her own selection, and gets into very comical predicaments.

109. A Little Step-daughter. By the Author of the ‘Atelier du Lys.’ (National Society) 3s. 6d.

A child stolen by smugglers in the wild districts of Southern France in the time of Louis XV., taken care of by a woman who feeds silk-worms. Very interesting.

110. Alone in Crowds. By Annette Lyster. (S.P.C.K.) 3s.

A youth bred up by his father on a desert island from early infancy. When rescued and brought home he is utterly astray and perplexed in England.

111. The Giant Killer. By A.L.O.E. (Nelson) 3s.

This is rather stilted, but has been much enjoyed by elder children. It is much better than the second part ‘The Roby Family.’ As a rule, this lady’s books are very religious, without Church teaching, and a little too stiff in language, but useful.

112. Bear and Forbear. (Cassell) 2s.

An excellent tale of an Edinburgh newspaper boy.

113. Rhoda’s Reward. By Mrs. Marshall. (Cassell) 1s.

A young girl who overcomes a strong temptation.

114. For Half-a-Crown. By Esmé Stuart. (National Society) 3s.

This is the price of a poor Italian baby bought out of the slums of Portsmouth, and bred up to be a very spirited and interesting little person.

115. Three Stories for Working Girls. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

This, like ‘Kate Temple’s Mate,’ is chiefly fitted for the rough girls of factories.

BOYS.

Boys are here treated as separate subjects. The mild tales that girls will read simply to pass away the time are ineffective with them. Many will not read at all. Those who will read require something either solid, droll, or exciting. There are lads who will study books of real information with all their might, and will take up pursuits of science, or enter into poetry. This, however, comes (if at all) at the age when school is over and labour has begun, so that intellectual occupation is not the task but the refreshment. The solid, therefore, is not attempted in the present list. What it aims at giving is such a choice of books as boys will listen to with interest, or if they read in quieter moments, or in illness, may find so amusing as not to be tempted to think that nothing diverting or stimulating is to be found beyond the Penny Dreadful. If their taste can be kept unsullied during the time of growth, there is more hope for it afterwards.

The books here mentioned are all suitable for circulation in any general library, but are placed separately as an answer to the oft-asked question, ‘Do you know of anything my boys will read?’

Many well-intentioned and really pretty books are omitted, even though written for boys, because they do not seem to hit off the peculiar taste of that large class. Others are omitted because, though there is little harm in them, and we should not object to seeing a lad reading them, if of his own catering, yet parish libraries and school rewards give a kind of recommendation to a book which makes it needful that it should be beyond censure. For instance, that exciting and entrancing tale, ‘King Solomon’s Mines,’ is marred by the falsehoods told to the natives, and (more injuriously perhaps) by the constant reference to bad language on the part of the naval lieutenant, in a style to confirm boys in their notion of its being a manly fashion. Its successor, ‘The Phantom City,’ has none of these defects. Be it remembered that this catalogue is only intended to suggest and assist, not to exclude, and likewise that the works therein are not merely suited to lads, for though girls will often greatly prefer a book about the other sex, boys almost universally disdain books about girls.

116. Robinson Crusoe. By Defoe. (Warne), 1s. 6d. (S.P.C.K.), 3s. 6d. (Cassell), 3s. 6d. (Marcus Ward), 1s. 6d., 2s., 3s.

We need only name this first and best of all desert island tales, which ought to be read as an English classic by all young people—not boys alone.

117. The Swiss Family Robinson. (Warne), 1s. 6d., (Cassell), 5s., (Marcus Ward), 2s. 6d., 3s.

It is a curious fact that this book was written by the tutor of Baron Humboldt and his brothers. It certainly encouraged a considerable spirit of adventure, and perhaps was partly inspired by the pupils’ interest in it as it proceeded. The second edition here mentioned is well illustrated, and is a fresh translation, more accurate perhaps, but scarcely so inviting to the childish English reader as the first more freely abridged version. The adventures are unfortunately more charming than possible in either naval or scientific eyes.

118. Masterman Ready. By Captain Marryat. (Warne) 5s.

The outcome of a sailor’s disgust at the Swiss family’s raft of tubs and other impossibilities. Written with the ability of a distinguished novelist, and exercising over the children the fascination of the two preceding tales.

119. The Island Queen. By R. M. Ballantyne. (Nisbet) 3s. 6d.

Here a young lady is by general consent elected to be queen of a shipwrecked crew. Mr. Ballantyne’s tales of adventure are perfectly safe from the moral point of view, and always have a religious tone, but when any matter brings forward points of difference, the tone is not that of the Church. Happily, however, there is seldom room for any such difficulty.

120. The Young Crusoe. By Mrs. Hofland. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

The best of this once popular author’s stories republished.

121. The Fate of the ‘Black Swan.’ By F. Frankfort Moore. (S.P.C.K.) 3s.

A search in New Guinea for a missing brother.

122. The Fortunes of Hassan. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

Hassan is a dog who sees a good deal of the fortunes of war in Bulgaria.

123. The Good Ship ‘Barbara.’ By S. W. Sadler, R.N. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

Two brothers, one in the navy, the other in the merchant service, see a good deal of the coast of Africa. The introduction of an ‘unattached’ and helpless missionary is the only weak point.

124. Ned in the Blockhouse. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

125. Ned in the Woods. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

126. Ned on the River. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

127. The Camp Fire and the Wigwam. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

128. The Lost Trail. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

129. Footsteps in the Forest. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

American, Fenimore Cooper-like adventures, but without the love or the somewhat stilted language. There is an admirable Red Indian hero, a Christian, who appears in all difficulties. Boys revel in these books, which seem to have an unusual attraction for them. The three first form the ‘Boy Pioneer Series,’ the three last the ‘Log Cabin Series.’ Many of the real pioneers of Kentucky are introduced.

130. Lost in the Backwoods. By Mrs. Traill. (Nelson) 3s. 6d.

Adventures in a Canadian forest of fifty or sixty years ago. Well worthy of its republication.

131. The French Prisoners. By Berby. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

The friendship that springs up between some German boys and their French captives, well told.

132. Treasure Island. By R. L. Stevenson. (Cassell) 5s.

So exciting and engrossing that it must be mentioned, but bringing the reader into rough company, among a good many horrors.

133. Tom Brown’s School Days. By T. Hughes. (Macmillan) 2s. or 6d.

The life is so fresh and wholesome in spirit that, though the sphere is so different from that of the elementary school-boy, his tone may be raised by it.

134. Ascott Hope’s Tales.

These are too numerous and have too many different publishers for enumeration, but all are lively and wholesome tales of boyhood mostly in school life, and are good to lend and give.

135. The Crofton Boys. By Harriet Martineau. (Routledge) 1s. and 1s. 6d. (With 40 illustrations, 2s.)

A very attractive story of a brave little boy at school, who loses his foot by an accident, and resolutely conceals the name of the perpetrator.

136. Follow the Leader. By Talbot B. Reed. (Cassell) 5s.

Another public-school story, sound and spirited, and likely to interest. People sometimes learn best from what does not profess to be about their own life.

137. In Quest of Gold on the Whanga Falls. By C. H. Johnstone. (Cassell) 3s. 6d.

Exciting Australian adventures. It is to be hoped they will not inspire the gold fever, for which, however, ‘True Gold’ (see No. 602) may be an antidote.

138. The Boy with an Idea. By Mrs. Eiloart. (Warne) 2s. 6d.

An inventive genius, always getting into exquisitely droll predicaments, some of which are quite fit to do duty at a penny reading.

139. Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea. By Jules Verne. Two parts. (Low) Cloth 3s. 6d., boards, 2 parts, 1s. each.

140. The Mysterious Island. Three parts. (Low) Cloth 2s., boards 1s. each.

141. The Earth to the Moon and a Trip round it. (Low) Cloth 2s., boards 1s. each.

142. Five Weeks in a Balloon. (Low) Cloth 2s., boards 1s.

143. Dr. Ox’s Experiment. (Low) Cloth 2s., boards 1s.

144. The Steam House. (Low) Two parts. Cloth 2s., boards 1s. each.

Jules Verne is a modern Baron Munchausen with an air of science and a Frenchman’s ironical gravity. To some he is perfectly enchanting, but there are soberer minds who are bewildered as to whether the wonders they read of are meant for truth or fiction, and dislike him accordingly. We have only mentioned a small selection of his translated works, but all are perfectly safe, for he is a religious, sound-hearted man. ‘Dr. Ox’s Experiment’ is short enough for a penny reading among intelligent people.

145. Ben Sylvester’s Word. (See No. 55.)

146. Frank’s Debt. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.

The dull rude lad raised by better surroundings.

147. The Little Duke. (See No. 488.)

148. The Caged Lion. (See No. 410.) 6s.

149. Harry and Archie. (See No. 254.)

150. Pickle and his Page Boy. (See No. 30.)

151. For Fortune and Glory, a Story of the Soudan War. By Lewis Hough. (Cassell) 5s.

A somewhat wild story, involving adventures with an old semi-madman who has turned Mahometan, but with a very graphic description of life in the English army.

152. On Board the ‘Esmeralda.’ By J. Hutcheson. (Cassell) 3s. 6d.

No harm in it, though the Squeers establishment at the beginning might have been spared.

153. Jackanapes. By J. H. Ewing. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

This beautiful story wins the attention of boys, but those who read it to them find it advisable to skip the unnecessary incident of the elopement.

154. Mutiny on the ‘Albatross.’ By F. Frankfort Moore. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

Exactly fulfilling the boy’s description, ‘A pretty book with plenty of killing.’

155. Nimrod Nunn. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

A village waif becomes a brave soldier, and is killed in Egypt.

156. Pirates’ Creek. By S. W. Sadler. (S.P.C.K.) 3s.

157. Tales by W. H. Kingston.

There are so many of these, and brought out by so many publishers (S.P.C.K.), (Griffith, Farran, & Co.), (Warne), (Shaw), (Nisbet), (Routledge), that it is hardly possible to collect or enumerate them, and one description answers for all. They are full of adventure, well studied from travels and geography, perfectly safe and innocent, with more incident than character, and very useful for those who love adventurous tales.

158. Tales by R. M. Ballantyne.

These also are too numerous for individual mention. They teach much as to manners, geography, &c., and there is a conscientious, religious tone about both authors, but Mr. Ballantyne’s are apt to be rather confused where any Church matter comes in question.

159. A Hero: Philip’s Book. By the Author of ‘John Halifax.’ (Routledge) 1s.

A very striking picture of moral versus physical courage.

160. Straight to the Mark. By the Rev. T. S. Millington. (R.T.S.) 5s.

A good schoolboy tale.

161. Paul Howard’s Captivity. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 1s. 6d.

A boy who propitiated his Chinese captors by his knowledge of watches.

162. Will’s Voyages. By F. F. Moore. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

163. The ‘Great Orion.’ By F. F. Moore. (S.P.C.K.) 3s.

164. The Adventurous Voyage of the ‘Polly.’ By S. W. Sadler. (S.P.C.K.) 3s.

165. Scapegrace Dick. (See No. 460.)

166. In the Land of the Moose, the Bear, and the Beaver. By Achilles Daunt. (Nelson) 3s. 6d.

167. In the Bush and on the Trail. (Nelson) 3s. 6d.

Both these are beautifully got up, and will make the boy who gets either of them for a prize happy at the moment, and sure to imbibe some real knowledge of the places named and animals described.

168. Yussuf the Guide. By G. Manville Fenn. (Blackie) 5s.

Travels in Asia Minor. Full of adventures and often very droll.

169. Devon Boys. By G. Manville Fenn. (Blackie) 6s.

An excellent set of seaside adventures near Barnstaple in the old smuggling times.

170. The Final Reckoning. By G. A. Henty. (Blackie) 5s.

Bush life in Australia in the convict times.

171. Beyond the Himalayas. By John Geddie. (Nelson) 3s. 6d.

172. Lake Regions of Central Africa. By John Geddie. (Nelson) 3s. 6d.

173. The Castaways in the Wilds of Borneo. By Mayne Reid. (Nelson) 3s. 6d.

174. Frank Redcliffe. (Nelson) 3s. 6d.

Adventures in South America.

175. Mark Willis. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

Adventures of a sailor boy.

All these are interesting tales of enterprise conveying much useful geographical information, and wholesomely sound and amusing.

DRAWING-ROOM STORIES.

The stories under this head are chosen for their unusual excellence, but they deal in general with a way of life, with pursuits, allusions, and temptations, so much out of the line of the ordinary clients of the parish library that we do not recommend them for that purpose, although they would do no harm but decidedly good, so far as they were understood, and, where readers of a superior degree are included, would be excellent.

176. The Langdales of Langdale End. By Eleanor Lloyd. (Marcus Ward) 3s. 6d.

A lively, clever set of children, slightly over-independent of their parents. They get into a scrape by secretiveness about their pleasures, and their discussions of their clergyman might not be edifying to some readers.

177. Hermy, the Story of a Little Girl. By Mrs. Molesworth. (Routledge) 2s. 6d.

A pleasant nursery tale.

178. Miss Fenwick’s Failures. By Esmé Stuart. (Blackie) 2s. 6d.

A governess’s troubles with naughty children.

179. A York and a Lancaster Rose. By Annie Keary. (Macmillan) 6s.

One Rose is a professor’s daughter, the other is a carpenter’s. They come into connection at the soup kitchen of a Sisterhood, much to their mutual benefit. The trials of the professor’s daughter are those of a large intellectual family in a London house, where inclination often has to be silently sacrificed.

180. Laneton Parsonage. By Elizabeth Sewell. (Longmans) 1s.

The catechism illustrated practically by three periods of the lives of a clergyman’s daughters—at home, at school, and after the return from school.

181. Sweet William. By Mrs. Erskine. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

An engaging little girl, devoted to her butterfly-hunting brothers, but waking to high and deep aspirations, which find their first fulfilment in the discovery of an old cottage woman’s lost son.

182. Grumble. By Mrs. Erskine. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

The pinch of agricultural depression felt but not understood in the nursery drives a little damsel to try to mend matters by wishing in a fairy ring.

183. The Birthday. By Lady Harriet Howard. (Masters) 3s. 6d.

A charming set of children in high life, simple, natural, and wholesome, a favourite of many years’ standing.

184. The White Gipsy. By Annette Lyster. (S.P.C.K.) 3s.

A child picked up by gipsies after a railway accident, and bred up among them till recovered by his mother.

185. Decima’s Promise. By Agnes Giberne. (Nisbet) 3s. 6d.

This is made to a servant girl not to reveal an accident to a young child of which both alike are guilty. It results in the poor child’s idiocy, and thus would be a wholesome warning to nurses, but Decima’s other troubles are rather out of their beat.

186. In the Marsh. By Bessie Curteis. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

A very clever portrait of life on the Sussex coast, as seen by some young folks quartered in a farmhouse.

187. Rosamond Ferrars. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

A girl hardened by want of home life introduced into a good and happy home where the key of life is given to her.

188. The Little Brown Girl. By Esmé Stuart. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

An orphan unkindly treated by children who are prejudiced against her, and nearly frighten her to death.

189. The Runaway. (Macmillan) 2s. 6d.

Exceedingly droll mishaps befall the little maid who hides the runaway from school in her cupboard.

190. When I was a Little Girl. (Macmillan) 2s. 6d.

191. Nine Years Old. (Macmillan) 2s. 6d.

Great favourites with children; without much plot, but flowing on naturally.

192. Little Alice and her Sister. (Masters) 2s.

A charmingly told cure of a spoilt and passionate little girl caused by an elder sister returned from India.

193. P’s and Q’s. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

Turns on the difficulty of submitting to a fresh government.

194. Henrietta’s Wish. By C. M. Yonge. (Masters) 4s. 6d.

On vehemently carrying out a personal wish.

195. The Two Guardians. By C. M. Yonge. (Masters) 6s.

A religiously brought-up girl transplanted into a worldly family.

196. The Wynnes. (Masters) 5s.

A sensible, thoughtful picture of the trials of a large family.

197. One of a Covey. (Wells Gardner, Darton & Co.) 3s. 6d.

A little girl taken away from a home full of brothers and sisters to find solitary luxury very wearisome.

198. Regent Rosalind. (S. Tinsley) 7s. 6d.

The difficulties of a young girl brought home from school to become head of a motherless household.

199. Phil’s Mother. (S. Tinsley) 5s.

Several short and good stories, of which ‘Georgie’s Christmas Holidays’ is the best.

200. Elly’s Choice. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

201. Boys and Girls. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

The best thing in these is a remarkable fable or allegory, quite fit to be read separately, where each person is represented as chained for life to some animal symbolising character, and the question in each case is, Will the animal subdue the human being to the ruin of both, or will the human creature make the animal his obedient servant to the salvation of both?

202. Ella’s Mistake. By Laura Lane. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

The damsel takes to sensational religion and despises her mother, but learns her error.

203. Courage and Cowards. By Selina Gaye. (Nisbet) 2s. 6d.

The contrast between physical daring and moral courage well brought out.

204. The Autocrat of the Nursery. By L. T. Meade. (Hodder) 5s.

This is delightfully illustrated and is a charming story, but it has the fault—a serious one if reverence is desired—of giving holy Names misspelt for baby utterance. A touch of the pen will alter this.

205. Countess Kate and the Stokesley Secret. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 5s.

One is a plunge into high life and the other a merry scrambling family.

206. The Six Cushions. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s.

The varying fates of six cushions for the chancel step, dealt out to be worked by as many young ladies.

207. Trixy; or, Those who Live in Glass Houses should not Throw Stones. By Margery Symington. (Cassell) 1s. 6d.

Pleasant scenes of life in a small Swiss young ladies’ school.

208. Studies for Stories. By Jean Ingelow. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

A collection of really powerful short tales, not half sufficiently known, chiefly of girls’ school life.

209. The Old House in the Square. By Alice Weber. (Routledge) 3s. 6d.

A well-drawn family, who are too exclusive to be hospitable to their father’s pupil, and need to be brought to a better mind.

210. North Wind and Sunshine. By Annette Lyster. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

The contrast between piety and charity at home, and anywhere except at home.

211. Five Pounds Reward. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

Very droll.

212. Heart Service. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

Useful warning against selfish neglect.

213. Snowball Society. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

214. Home and School. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

These tell of the same family—the first of a scheme for providing poor children with a playground; the second is of high school adventures.

215. Lob Lie by the Fire. By J. H. Ewing. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

216. Story of a Short Life. By J. H. Ewing. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

217. Jan of the Mill. By J. H. Ewing. (Bell) 1s.

218. Daddy Darwin’s Dovecote. By J. H. Ewing. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

These exquisite pieces of Mrs. Ewing’s are too delicately worked for the ordinary style of children or the poor, though they may be appreciated by those who have time to dream over them and, as it were, imbibe them.

219. Story of a Happy Home. By Mary Howitt. (Nelson) 2s.

Real childish incidents of a year; hardly story, but told with the charm of Mrs. Howitt.

220. Sue and I. By Mrs. O’Reilly. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

Delightful reminiscences of childhood.

221. Aunt Judy’s Tales. By Mrs. Gatty. (Bell) 3s. 6d.

222. Aunt Judy’s Letters. By Mrs. Gatty. (Bell) 3s. 6d.

223. Aunt Sally’s History. By Mrs. Gatty. (Bell) 2s. 6d.

Needing no words of recommendation.

224. Castle Blair. By Flora Shaw. (Kegan Paul) 3s. 6d.

A wild Irish story, very attractive and exciting.

225. Edgeworth’s Early Lessons.

” Frank.

” Rosamond.

” Parent’s Assistant.

” Harry and Lucy.

These are real classics, and ought to be well read by every child. There are many points of good sense, refinement, and honour better given in them than in most modern books. They have been so often republished that they may be had at almost any price.

226. Tip Cat. (Smith) 3s. 6d.

Has much grace and tenderness.

227. May Cunningham’s Trial. (Cassell) 2s.

Interesting and spirited.

228. Pat. By Stella Austin. (Masters) 3s. 6d.

By far the best of Stella Austin’s stories, which are popular, but have for the most part the fault of admiring the children’s simplicity too palpably, and might foster affectation or self-consciousness.

229. Sidney Grey. By Annie Keary. (Warne) 3s. 6d.

A story of much excellence and reality.

230. The School-boy Baronet. By the Hon. Mrs. Greene. (Warne) 3s. 6d.

A young tyrant cured of his overbearing ways by seeing their exaggeration in lower life.

231. Cushions and Corners. By the Hon. Mrs. Greene. (Warne) 2s. 6d.

A clever story on angular and gentle tempers.

232. Blind Man’s Holiday. By Annie Keary. (Warne) 2s.

233. Father Phim. By Annie Keary. (Warne) 1s.

In the first we have touches from the author’s own childhood. The second is very beautiful, and perhaps the most perfect of the author’s works.

234. New Honours. By Mrs. Selby Lowndes. (Warne) 2s.

Children whose first experiences of their father’s peerage are not pleasant.

235. Mistress Mary. By Mrs. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

A charming story of a quaint little girl and her noble-minded parents.

236. Dora and Nora. By Annette Lyster. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

Two girls who endure in a very different manner the trial of living with a cross old aunt.

237. Carry’s Rose. By Mrs. Cupples. (Nelson) 9d.

Against teasing.

238. The Launch of the ‘Victory.’ (Nelson) 6d.

Of a wholesome friendship made over a toy ship.

239. The Phantom Picture. By the Hon. Mrs. Greene. (Nelson) 2s.

Disobedience detected by the culprit unconsciously photographing himself.

240. Silverthorns. By Mrs. Molesworth. (Hatchard) 6s.

A harsh judgment and incipient jealousy confuted. Very sweet characters.

241. The Linen Room Window. By C. Birley. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 1s. 6d.

The effect of sunshine through a convex bit of glass.

242. A Story for the Schoolroom. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

Excitement at going to stay with a girl of higher rank ending in wholesome discipline and mortification of self-importance.

ON THE CATECHISM.

These are not studies on the Catechism, but illustrations.

243. Stories and Lessons on the Catechism. (Walter Smith) 3 vols. 13s.

A companion to the lessons on the Collects, with a class of girls instead of boys. The using of it for many years has tested its excellence.

244. Stories on the Catechism. By C. A. Jones. (Masters) 4 vols. 2s. 6d. each.

Detached stories, with questions at the end of each on the portion to which it applies.

245. Laneton Parsonage. (See No. 180.)

Written mainly to illustrate the Catechism.

246. Tales illustrative of the Apostles’ Creed. By J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s. 6d.

247. Stories on the Commandments. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

248. Stories on my Duty to God. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

249. Stories on my Duty to my Neighbour. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

250. Stories on the Lord’s Prayer. By E. Sewell. (Masters) 6d.

All the above may be usefully read, or lent, to children, one by one, as comments on the lesson freshly taught.

251. The Little Camp on Eagle Hill. By E. Wetherell. (Warne) 1s. 6d.

Somewhat striking conversations upon the Lord’s Prayer.

252. Children of the Church. Part 1. By Mrs. O’Reilly. (Wells Gardner, Darton & Co.) 1s. 6d.

253. Teachings for the Little Ones on the Catechism. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.

These last are more of Sunday-school books than intended to be lent, but as most of the instruction to very little ones must be conveyed either by reading or speaking to them, it has been thought that the recommendation of these might be an assistance to teachers preparing lessons.

ON CONFIRMATION.

254. Harry and Archie. By the Rev. E. Monro. (Masters) 1s.

The first is the most effective of all such books. Its excellence has been proved. To our own knowledge it has brought a servant to Confirmation and a lad to Holy Communion.

255. Clary’s Confirmation. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

A great favourite.

256. The Castle Builders. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.

Confirmation difficulties in a higher rank of life.

257. Jeanie Gordon. (Walter Smith) 1s.

The Confirmation of an invalid girl in Scotland.

258. Ruthieston. (Walter Smith) 5s.

A story of Scottish middle life, but the Confirmation subject is brought in and dealt with usefully.

259. Laneton Parsonage. (See No. 180.)

The second volume bears on Confirmation usefully.

260. Maggie Preece. (S.P.C.K.) 4d.

A fairly good Confirmation story.

261. Boys. (Skeffington) 9d.

262. Girls. (Skeffington) 9d.

Practical advice in short compass; excellent for Confirmation gifts.

263. The Seal. By C. M. Yonge. (Smith) 1½d.

A Confirmation tract.

ON THE PRAYER-BOOK.

264. Church Echoes. By Mrs. Carey Brock. (Seeley) 15s.

A tale with conversations woven into it to bring out the meaning and blessing of the Church services, going as far as the Litany.

265. Sunday Echoes in Week-day Hours. By Mrs. Carey Brock. (Seeley) A series. 5s. each.

There is one volume on the Collects, and another on the Epistles and Gospels.

266. Stories and Lessons on the Collects. (Walter Smith) 12s. 6d.

The lessons are given by a lady to a class of boys, each of whom has his own history and character, and, besides pursuing this, stories are told and read to them. It is a very useful book for teaching from, making the class in hand answer the questions and look out the references (of which there is a very large choice); and the stories, which are not quite equal to the teachings, can be read or not according to time and expediency.

267. Stories on the Christian Year. By C. A. Jones. (Masters) 8 vols. 2s. each.

Stories illustrating the Collects, with questions at the end. Rather unequal.

268. Richard Nelson. By the Revs. J. and T. Keble. (Walter Smith) 1s. 6d.

The conversations on Church matters formed several of the earliest ‘Tracts for the Times,’ and have both the simplicity and the power of all the teachings of the author of the ‘Christian Year.’

269. Charles Harvey’s Difficulties. (Hayes) 6d.

A valuable explanation of the Athanasian Creed; exactly the thing to correct popular mistakes.

270. Benedicite. By Child Chaplin. (Murray) 6s.

A favourite book, going into details on all the glorious works of creation mentioned in the Canticle.

271. History of the Prayer-Book. By F. M. P. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

A sketch of the growth of the Prayer-Book.

272. Studies on the Benedicite. By Mrs. Bayne. (Hatchards) 6s.

Somewhat in the same style as No. 270, also excellent, with more historical association and less natural history.

273. Our Mother Church. By Mrs. Jerome Mercier. 3s. 6d.

Conversations on Church subjects and the history of the Liturgy, best adapted to young ladies and girl pupil-teachers. Very useful.

274. Children of the Church. By Mrs. O’Reilly. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) Part II. 1s. 6d. (See No. 252.)

Very easy lessons for young children on the Collects.

275. Only a Tramp. By Grace Stebbing. (Shaw) 6d. and 3s. 6d.

There are some mistakes in this, but they may be overlooked for the sake of the practical illustrations of the Litany.

276. Stories and Teaching on the Litany. By Dr. W. Hardman. (Skeffington) 5s.

Short chapters of comment on the Litany, containing telling anecdotes illustrating each clause; especially useful for those who have to get up a lesson before giving it.

277. Number One, Brighton Street. By C. MacSorley. (S.P.C.K.) 6d.

A story showing the comfort of intercessory prayer.

278. Prayer-Book Packet. (S.P.C.K.) Six books. 1s.

Short tales illustrating the services.

279. Chapters on the Te Deum. (Masters) 2s.

280. Letters from an Unknown Friend. (Kegan Paul) 1s.

More about the Church than the Prayer-Book, but very useful as showing why Dissent is an evil.

BOOKS BEARING ON HOLY SCRIPTURE. — MODERN RESEARCH INTO MONUMENTS.

These are needed for various classes of readers. The highest and best are those who need to study the Scriptures devotionally. Works for these hardly come within the scope of a parish library—nor do the Commentaries, such as the Speaker’s or the Cottage Commentary of the S.P.C.K., although in an ideal school these ought always to be accessible by the teachers. What is here to be provided is a set of books that will illustrate the intellectual side of the Bible, and may in the first place instruct the teachers, and in the next make it plain to the young minds that there is infinite interest in the study of Holy Scripture even after they have left school, a fact which they are too slow to believe. Conversations can be read with drawing-room classes or Bible classes with advantage, leaving the pupils to look out references and make observations. There are innumerable varieties of Bible stories, but there is no use in mentioning these. It is much better to teach the narrative of the Patriarchs direct from the Book itself, reading it to the children till they can read with perfect ease, and then reading with them. Later, Dr. Maclear’s two ‘Class Books of the Old and New Testaments,’ 4s. 6d. and 5s. 6d. (Macmillan), are useful in disentangling the narrative and explaining the chronology; and for those who find a difficulty in selecting passages, and passing over those chapters, verses, or phrases to which it is not well to direct children’s attention, C. M. Yonge’s ‘Scripture Readings’ (Macmillan) may be an assistance, as they are chronologically arranged, and harmonised with portions of the Prophetical writings. Five series, 1s. 6d. each, without comment; 4s. 6d. with comment.

The books that follow begin with the easiest, and fittest to lend to a thoughtful child, especially to a little invalid.

281. Parables of Our Lord. By the late Earl of Derby. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

These are conversations on the Parables in rather set language, but with good applications.

282. Walks from Eden. By Susan and Anna Warner. (Nisbet) 2s. 6d.

283. The House of Israel. By Susan and Anna Warner. (Nisbet) 2s. 6d.

284. The Kingdom of Judah. By Susan and Anna Warner. (Nisbet) 2s. 6d.

285. The Broken Walls. By Susan and Anna Warner. (Nisbet) 2s. 6d.

286. The Star out of Jacob. By Susan and Anna Warner. (Nisbet) 2s. 6d.

These American books are admirable in their way, bringing in Eastern research, historical inquiry, and lights from science in a conversational, but always reverent manner. They do not go into the types or spiritual lessons, but are thoroughly sound and excellent for reading with fairly intelligent young people. I used ‘The Kingdom of Judah’ with great success with a pupil-teacher.

287. The Chosen People. By C. M. Yonge. (W. Smith) 1s.

This is more of a lesson book, being a compendium of sacred and Church history.

288. The Prophet Daniel Explained. By Prof. Gaussen (W. Smith) 5s.

A translation of very easy lectures on Daniel, given by the celebrated Professor Gaussen to a class of children at Geneva.

For students beyond childhood:—

289. The World’s Birthday. By Prof. Gaussen. (Nelson) 2s. 6d.

Science consulted in dealing with the first chapter of Genesis. Useful in preparing lessons or in argument to those who stumble at the Mosaic record.

290. The Nations Around. By Annie Keary. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

Beginning from Ur of the Chaldees, and going through the contemporary Egyptian history, then the Phœnician, and on to the Babylonian and Assyrian.

291. The Tabernacle: its Priests and Services. By Brown. (Oliphant, Edinburgh) 2s. 6d.

An excellent explanation of the ritual in the wilderness.

292. The Child Samuel. By Dean Goulburn. (Rivingtons) 5s.

Lessons from the youth of Samuel adapted to choir boys.

293. David’s Life as seen in the Psalms. (Hodder) 3s. 6d.

A worthy and very interesting book.

294. The History of the Kingdom of Judah. By F. M. Wilbraham. (Masters) 1s. 6d.

This is one of the best books to explain the contemporary royal lines of Judah and Israel.

295. The World before the Flood, etc. By Dr. Edersheim. (R.T.S.) 2s. 6d.

296. The Exodus and Wanderings in the Wilderness. By Dr. Edersheim. (R.T.S.) 2s. 6d.

297. Israel under Joshua and the Judges. By Dr. Edersheim. (R.T.S.) 2s. 6d.

298. Israel under Samuel, Saul, and David. By Dr. Edersheim. (R.T.S.) 2s. 6d.

299. Israel and Judah from Solomon to Ahab. By Dr. Edersheim. (R.T.S.) 2s. 6d.

300. Israel and Judah from Ahab to the Decline of the two Kingdoms. By Dr. Edersheim. (R.T.S.) 2s. 6d.

301. Israel and Judah from Joash to Zedekiah. By Dr. Edersheim. (R.T.S.) 3s.

The set of seven volumes can be had bound in four, price 16s.

302. Sketches of Jewish Life. By Dr. Edersheim. (R.T.S.) 5s.

303. The Temple, its Ministry and Services. By Dr. Edersheim. (R.T.S.) 5s.

Very valuable for comprehension of the narrative.

304. Elisha the Prophet. By Dr. Edersheim. (R.T.S.) 2s. 6d.

305. Heroes of Hebrew History. By Bishop Samuel Wilberforce. (Strahan) 5s.

Eloquent and stirring pictures of the lives of the great men of Israel, especially Elijah and Elisha.

306. Simple Readings on the Minor Prophets. By M. C. Hyett. (Masters) 3s.

Useful to read with the Prophets.

307. Judæa and her Rulers. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

308. Wars of the Jews. By A.L.O.E. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

Jewish history from the return from the captivity.

309. Daniel—Statesman and Prophet. By the Rev. H. T. Robjohns. (R.T.S.) 3s. 6d.

A bridge over the gulf between Nehemiah and St. Matthew.

310. Judas Maccabæus. By Capt. C. R. Conder, R.E. (Marcus Ward) 2s. 6d.

A brilliant, soldierly description of that great man and of the scenes of his exploits.

311. Eldad the Pilgrim. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

In the form of a tale, showing the condition of Judæa under Hyrcanus.

312. Ephrem and Helah. (Hodder) 5s.

A not ill executed tale of Israel in Egypt. The description of the water turned into blood is particularly effective.

313. The Gospel Story. (Hodges) 6s.

The best harmonising narrative for popular use.

314. The Gospel of the Childhood. By Dean Goulburn. (Rivingtons) 5s.

315. The Acts of the Deacons. By Dean Goulburn. (Rivingtons) 5s.

So excellent that it is much to be wished they were cheaper.

316. St. Paul. By Conybeare and Howson. Abridged. (Longmans) 7s. 6d.

317. The Fall of Jerusalem. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

Well told and illustrated.

318. The Story of Salvation. By Mrs. J. Mercier. (Rivingtons)

Admirable in many respects, though not perfect. It is well calculated to teach how Holy Scripture may be studied.

Nothing has been said here of the Psalms. Books on them are rather devotional reading than fit for libraries. The most compendious in giving information is an American book,

319. The Treasury of the Psalms. Compiled by the Rev. G. Huntington and the Rev. H. Metcalf. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 7s. 6d.

It ought to be widely known.

Next best for the purpose is:—

320. A Plain Commentary on the Psalms. (Parker) 2 vols. 10s. 6d.

321. Eastern Manners and Customs. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

Useful for teachers to consult when preparing a lesson.

Here only the small popular books are mentioned. The great original authorities are too large and too expensive.

322. Assyria. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

323. Babylonia. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

324. Egypt. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

325. Greek Cities. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

326. Persia. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

327. Sinai. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

Full of most useful information, but for somewhat advanced students.

328. Mount Sinai and Petra. (Nelson) 2s.

329. Nineveh and its History. 1s. 6d.

Both of these speak to the eye by good illustrations.

330. Babylonian Life and History. By E. A. W. Budge, M.A. (R.T.S.) 3s.

331. Recent Discoveries on the Temple Hill. By the Rev. J. King, M.A. (R.T.S.) 2s. 6d.

Lively and easy narrations of the experiences of a residence in Jerusalem at the time of the chief discoveries, and easier than those above mentioned.

332. A Year in Palestine. By Mrs. Finn. (Nisbet)

333. A Second Year in Palestine. By Mrs. Finn. (Nisbet)

334. Jerusalem and its Environs. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

Language rather difficult, but numerous excellent illustrations.

ALLEGORIES AND ALLEGORICAL TALES.

Too many allegories are not desirable, nor should they even be pressed upon those who do not accept them readily. To the imaginative, who are perhaps two-thirds of the people we deal with, they are an excellent and persuasive mode of teaching and influencing. The remaining third at first take them for fact, as people did in mediæval times by the stories of St. Christopher or St. Margaret, and when the delusion is dispelled feel resentment, as if deceived; or else they look on the allegory either as a tale meant to cheat them into being instructed or as an irreverent riddle. Any way, when forced on them, it gives a sense of unreality which is, above all, what they dislike, and which may damage even their feeling for the truths thus represented.

Too many allegories, even for the most receptive readers, are undesirable, and among those here mentioned, it may be wiser to make a choice.

335. The Pilgrim’s Progress. By John Bunyan. (Macmillan) 4s. (Nelson) 1s., 2s., and 5s. (R.T.S.) 1s., 1s. 6d., 2s. 6d. (Nisbet) 1s., 1s. 6d., 2s., 2s. 6d., 3s. 6d.

In spite of all its peculiarities, the king of allegories must be admitted. It is not likely that Bunyan’s doctrines will do any harm, though for these purposes we do regret that Dr. Neale’s edition, arranged for Church people, is out of print.

336. Agathos. By Bishop Samuel Wilberforce. (Seeley) 6d., 1s., and 2s. 6d.

337. The Rocky Island. By Bishop Samuel Wilberforce. (Seeley) 6d., 1s., and 2s. 6d.

‘Agathos’ itself ought to be read to every child at the right age either on Advent Sunday or the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity, the other parables in like manner.

338. The Shadow of the Cross. By the Rev. W. Adams. (Rivingtons) 1s.

339. The Distant Hills, and The King’s Messengers. By the Rev. W. Adams. (Rivingtons) 1s. each.

340. The Old Man’s Home. By the Rev. W. Adams. (Rivingtons)

Separately 1s. each, altogether 5s.

The third is rather an exquisite dreamy story than an allegory, but the two first are of the very best and most practical description.

341. The Dark River. By the Rev. E. Monro. (Masters)

342. The Vast Army. By the Rev. E. Monro. (Masters)

343. The Combatants. By the Rev. E. Monro. (Masters)

344. The Revellers. By the Rev. E. Monro. (Masters)

345. The Journey Home. By the Rev. E. Monro. (Masters) Separately 1s. each, collected 7s. 6d.

‘The Dark River’ has been known to terrify nervous children. ‘The Combatants’ and ‘The Vast Army’ are very inspiriting and practical.

346. The Story of the Red Cross Knight. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

Spenser’s allegory told in conversations between an aunt and some children.

347. The Giants, and how to fight them. (Nelson) 1s.

Forms of evil, and lively practical lessons on how to meet them.

348. Truth in Tale. By Bishop Boyd Carpenter. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

Half allegories, half stories, some of them, such as the ‘White Flower,’ very beautiful. Excellently suited for short grave readings.

349. The Gate of Paradise. By Edith S. Jacob. (Rivingtons) 6d. and 1s.

350. The Vision of the Holy Child. By Edith S. Jacob. (Rivingtons) 1s. 6d.

Very beautiful and touching dreams. The first is either appropriate for Easter Eve or to a house of recent bereavement; the second is a Christmas vision.

351. Parables from Nature. By Mrs. Gatty. (S.P.C.K.) Four series, to be had at 7s. 6d. in 2 vols. Selections, 2 vols. 1s. each.

The Selections might be most useful, as some of the others are too difficult for the present purpose. No praise is needed for these. Several, if read with children, are very successful.

352. Earth’s Many Voices. (S.P.C.K.) 1st and 2nd Series. 2s. each.

In the style of Mrs. Gatty.

353. The Man on the Top of the Ark. (Nisbet) 1s.

The flood, the brazen serpent, and the city of refuge are here drawn out in their typical meaning. They are very effective. In the first, there is the serious defect that there is no explanation how to enter the ark, but to add the text, ‘The like figure whereunto even Baptism, etc.,’ gives the key.

354. The Golden Thread. By Dr. Norman McLeod. (Strahan) 2s. 6d.

A parable of life, so full of spirit and playfulness that children delight in it for the story alone.

355. The Lord of the Forest. By Mrs. Alexander. (Masters) 2s. 6d.

A tale with much allegory hidden within.

356. The Beautiful Face. By Mrs. Mitchell. (Masters) 4s. 6d.

A child’s romance with a hidden meaning so interesting that ‘Oh, that is pretty!’ the schoolchild’s highest praise, is admiringly whispered when it is read.

357. Coming. By Selina Gaye. (Seeley) 5s.

A very beautiful semi-allegory, with Swiss surroundings. Somewhat long, but of a very poetical and lofty tone, suited to readers of a more cultivated taste.

358. Sintram and his Companions. By La Motte Fouqué.

This most striking of allegorical tales cannot be omitted, when it is on record that it made such an impression on Charles Lowder’s boys that they actually named places in Ratcliffe Highway and London Docks from ‘The Castle of the Moon,’ ‘Rocks,’ &c. There was a small cheap edition published by Burns, the poems exquisitely translated. Hare’s translation, less good, has been published, illustrated by Mr. H. Sumner, by Seeley. 5s.

359. The Child’s Pilgrimage. By Frances Clare. (Skeffington) 2s. 6d.

Pretty little allegories and semi-allegories for children, tenderly and gracefully touched, though it is a pity the child’s departed spirit is called an angel.

360. A Beleaguered City. By Mrs. Oliphant. (Macmillan) 6s. There is something so deep and solemn in this book, founded on ‘Though one went unto them from the dead they will not repent,’ that it is added to the list, though it can only be understood by persons of thought and cultivation.

HISTORICAL TALES. — TALES ON EARLY CHURCH HISTORY. — TALES ON ENGLISH HISTORY. — TALES FROM GENERAL HISTORY.

These are of considerable value, not only as serving as ‘sugared history’ and conveying facts, but sometimes as supplying the element of romance which is almost essential to a wholesome development. Moreover, these stories are of great assistance in making it evident that the actors in history are not mere names with dates attached, to load the memory for an examination, but that they have been flesh and blood beings like ourselves.

There has been of late a great attempt to supply these tales, with very varied success. Some are so interesting as to be read apart from all purpose, for their mere interest. Others present nothing but wooden puppets put into the carefully studied costume of their period, and stiffly working out the facts, with much pains but no life. These, however, have a certain value, not only because perverse youth will read them when it will not read real history; but also because when a special period has to be ‘got up,’ they impress details of manners, dress, and habits in a convenient way. We shall therefore endeavour to give a chronological list of English, foreign, and Church history tales.

There are many of these, and it is difficult to choose among them. Those are here mentioned which may serve best to interest young people in the primitive Church, and give some idea of the days of martyrdom.

361. Triumphs of the Cross, and Deeds of Faith. By Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) Two series, each 2s.

362. Lent Legends. By Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s.

363. Followers of the Lord. By Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s.

Brief tales through the whole range of Church history, some of them quite unrivalled in effectiveness.

364. Helena’s Household. By the author of ‘The Schönberg-Cotta Family.’ (Nelson) 4s.

This tells of the days of the Catacombs.

365. Gaudentius. By the Rev. G. F. Davies. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

The builder of the Colosseum, who afterwards became a martyr there.

366. Lapsed not Lost. By the Author of ‘The Schönberg-Cotta Family.’ (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

A failure from weakness in the days of St. Cyprian.

367. The Egyptian Wanderers. By Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s.

Giving with much vividness the trials of the Christians at different times of persecution.

368. Narcissus. By the Bishop of Ripon. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

369. Conquering and to Conquer. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

The days of St. Jerome and the Gothic invasion of Rome.

370. Bilihild. By Julie Sutter. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.

The conversion of part of Germany.

371. Mitslav, or the Conversion of Pomerania. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

372. Tales illustrating Church History. (Parker, Oxford) In seven 3s. 6d. vols., to be had separately.

I regret that these tales are not to be had singly as before, and that they are arranged by countries, not chronology. The most useful for illustrations of primitive Church history are those called ‘Asia and Africa’ and ‘France and Spain,’ containing the four following:—

373. The Quay of the Dioscuri.

On the persecution of St. Athanasius.

374. The Exiles of the Cevenna.

Persecution in Gaul.

375. Lucia’s Marriage.

Christians in Africa.

376. The Lazar House of Leros.

The Lepers in an island of the Archipelago.

377. The Farm of Aptonga. (Masters) 2s.

African adventures of Christians.

These tales of English History are given in greater numbers and with less sifting than the others, because when a particular period is proposed for study or examination a story even of no great merit may be an assistance. Also some belonging to higher literature are enumerated so as to make out a complete list.

378. The Camp on the Severn. By Rev. E. Cutts. (Mowbray) 2s.

379. No. XIII. The Lost Vestal. By Emma Marshall. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

Both these start from St. Alban’s martyrdom. Neither is quite satisfactory as to correctness, but the second is the more vivid, the latter part being upon scenes at Rome. The first needs less education to be understood.

380. Stories of the Days of King Arthur. By C. H. Hanson. (Nelson) 3s. and 3s. 6d.

Hardly to be called historical, but with the grand outlines of Sir T. Malory’s great romance and with excellent illustrations by Gustave Doré. Desirable as giving the genuine English heroic tale, noble in itself, and furnishing allusions. It is intended to prepare the way for Malory and Tennyson, and there is thus little said of the Quest of the Holy Grail.

381. Edwy the Fair. By Rev. A. D. Crake. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

382. Alfgar the Dane. By Rev. A. D. Crake. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

383. The Rival Heirs. By Rev. A. D. Crake. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

This and the other ‘Chronicles of Æscendune’ endeavour to dramatise the days of Anglo-Saxon history. Young people like them very much, but there is more of adventure and research than of character or life.

384. The Champion of Odin. By Hodgetts. (Cassell) 5s.

A fierce story of wild Northmen invading England. The manners are well touched, but there is the great error of making Alfred knowingly re-baptise a Dane who had recurred to his wild life.

385. Harold. By Lord Lytton. (Routledge) 6d., 2s., and 3s. 6d.

This and other historical novels of high merit are here mentioned to complete the series, though only for advanced readers.

386. The Camp of Refuge. (Leach) 5s.

The legend of Hereward le Wake, not told with the fire of imagination which Kingsley has thrown into it.

387. Hereward, the Last of the English. By C. Kingsley. (Macmillan) 6s.

But we should prefer the former of the two for younger and simpler readers.

388. Lady Sybil’s Choice. By Emily S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

Miss Holt’s tales will be enumerated in their order of chronology, but the following description must be understood to apply to all. Manners and customs, history and chronicle, are minutely studied; but the mediæval Church is never understood, and sympathy is uniformly with those who separated from it. What is especially to be regretted is that there are often innuendoes and even more direct attacks on present practices and opinions, which the author thinks a return to what she reprobates.

389. The Knight’s Ransom. By Mrs. Valentine. (Warne) 2s. 6d.

Greatly relished by young people. It is founded on the legend of the lady whose hand was the ransom of her crusading knight.

390. The Betrothed. By Sir Walter Scott.

Belonging to the higher order of literature. Bringing out the state of things on the Welsh border under Henry II., not accurately but impressively.

391. The Talisman. By Sir Walter Scott. Scott’s novels may be had at any price from 6d. upwards. It is of no use to specify publisher.

The master hand has lighted up the relations between Cœur-de-Lion and Saladin. There is no need to touch on the inaccuracies where the scene is made so real.

392. Ivanhoe. By Sir Walter Scott.

The same may be said of this romance of the return of Cœur-de-Lion.

393. Philip Augustus. By G. P. R. James. (Warne) 6d.

Vividly giving the relations of King John with the astute Frenchman.

394. Earl Hubert’s Daughter. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

The reign of Henry III., with a curious picture of Jewish life in England.

395. The Prince and the Page. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

The prince is Edward I., the page a son of Simon de Montfort.

396. Prentice Hugh. By F. M. Peard. (National Society) 3s. 6d.

Burgher and apprentice life under Edward I., chiefly concerned with the carvings of the corbels in Exeter Cathedral; fit to raise the sense of responsibility in such work.

397. The Lord of the Isles. By Sir Walter Scott.

The rise of Bruce and battle of Bannockburn had best be illustrated by this grand tale in poetry.

398. Castle Dangerous. By Sir Walter Scott.

The perilous castle of Douglas.

399. In All Time of Our Tribulation. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw)

The times of Edward II., whose two favourites are well painted.

400. Not for Him. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

On the Earl of Lancaster and the Order of Poor Brothers.

401. The Well in the Desert. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 2s. 6d.

The persecuted daughter of Hugh Le Despenser.

402. Golden Horse-shoes. By Mrs. Mitchell. (Masters) 5s.

Founded on the golden horse-shoes in the Guildhall at Oakham. Spirited and interesting to children, though the chivalry is rather fanciful than real.

403. The Lances of Lynwood. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

Gives the doings of the Black Prince in Spain and at Bordeaux.

404. Tales from Chaucer. (Nelson) 3s. and 3s. 6d.

Not exactly historical, but useful to those who have to get up knowledge of history and English literature.

405. John de Wycliffe. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 3s. 6d.

The Reformer according to Miss Holt’s view.

406. The Lord Mayor. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

A sad and veritable tale.

407. The Lord of the Marches. By E. S. Holt. 3s. 6d.

Roger Mortimer, whose untimely death led to the Wars of the Roses.

408. The Fair Maid of Perth. By Sir Walter Scott.

Poor Robert III. of Scotland and the murder of Rothsay.

409. The Boy Bishop. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan)

A short outline in ‘Byewords,’ No. 574.

410. The Caged Lion. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

James I. of Scotland and the last days of Henry V.

411. The White Rose of Langley. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

412. Mistress Margery. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 3s. 6d.

413. Red and White. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

414. Margery’s Son. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

These four give the York and Lancaster times from a Lollard point of view.

415. A Stormy Life. By Lady G. Fullerton. 1s. 6d.

The history of poor Margaret of Anjou, supposed to be written by one of her ladies, putting her in a favourable point of view.

416. For and Against. By F. M. Wilbraham. (Parker) 10s. 6d.

A carefully written tale on the Yorkist side.

417. The Last of the Barons. By Lord Lytton. (Warne) 6d. (Routledge) 2s. and 3s. 6d.

This is real literature and almost worthy to stand beside Scott.

418. The Earl Printer. By C. MacSorley. (Shaw) 2s. 6d.

A young Lancastrian working as a printer under Caxton. Good.

419. Malvern Chase. (Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.) 5s.

Ranging through that portion of the Wars of the Roses which was connected with the Severn country, showing much local knowledge and research.

420. A Tangled Web. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

The fortunes of Perkin Warbeck. Not quite so good as another tale of him in the ‘Monthly Packet,’ which has never been republished.

421. The Armourer’s Prentices. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

‘Ill May-day’ and the ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold.’

422. The Household of Sir Thomas More. By A. Manning. (Hall) 2s. 6d.

Supposed to be the diary of Margaret Roper. A charming book.

423. The Knevets. By Emily Taylor. (Houlston) 2s. 6d.

Norfolk in early Reformation days. Well and fairly drawn.

424. Lady of the Lake. By Sir Walter Scott.

425. Marmion. By Sir Walter Scott.

Though poems, neither of these should be left out from the course.

426. The Prince and the Pauper. By Mark Twain. (Chatto & Windus) 7s. 6d.

This most diverting book, exchanging Edward VI. for a little street boy, has one grievous flaw—it marries a man to his sister-in-law, but only in the last two pages, and with so little preparation that the passage might be extirpated without anyone missing them.

427. The Tower of London. By W. Harrison Ainsworth. (Routledge) 1s., 2s. and 3s. 6d.

This has a great fascination for young people, dealing as it does with Lady Jane Grey, Edward Courtenay, and the terrible plotter Simon.

428. Robin Tremayne. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

429. Isoult Barry. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

430. For the Master’s Sake. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 2s. 6d.

All three pursuing the fortunes of the same family. On the Marian persecution in its worst light.

431. Her Majesty’s Bear. By Mrs. Mitchell. (Masters) 5s.

Very amusing and prettily told adventures at Dover in Queen Elizabeth’s time, lacking in probability and details of manner, but still a charming children’s book.

432. The Good Old Days. By Esmé Stuart. (Marcus Ward) 5s.

Life in Elizabethan times, beautifully illustrated by Mr. H. Stacy Marks.

433. Kenilworth. By Sir Walter Scott.

A noble romance founded on tradition and ballad. Though historic doubts question the truth of the legend, and Scott has, for the sake of effect, altered the circumstances, nothing gives so vivid an impression of the times of Queen Elizabeth.

434. The Abbot. By Sir Walter Scott.

Should be read for the sake of the escape of Queen Mary from Lochleven.

435. Unknown to History. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

Mary of Scotland in captivity.

436. Westward Ho! By Charles Kingsley. (Macmillan) 6s.

One of the most powerful historical romances in existence.

437. Clare Avery. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.

Also on the Armada, with more hints on Romish perils than are quite needful.

438. Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare.

These are the best stepping-stones to Shakespeare himself.

439. The Cruise of the ‘Bonny Kate.’ (Hayes) 3s. 6d.

Telling well of Chancellor’s voyage to Russia.

440. For Queen and King. By Henry Frith (Cassell) 5s.

Essex’s rebellion and the Gunpowder Plot. It is rather wooden and devoid of character, and very hard upon Garnett.

441. The Fortunes of Nigel. By Sir Walter Scott.

A somewhat painful picture of the Court and manners of James I.

442. Lady Betty’s Governess. By L. E. Guernsey. (Shaw) 5s.

The story is pretty, but the ideas of the Laudian theology are very peculiar. Bishop Hall is quite incorrectly represented as at enmity with Laud.

443. The Siege of Lichfield. By Rev. W. Gresley. (Masters) 3s.

One of the earliest of Church tales. A little heavy, perhaps, but full of interest.

444. Mary Powell. By Anne Manning. (Hall) 2s. 6d.

The supposed diary of Milton’s first wife. Written with great sweetness and interest.

445. Judged by Appearances. By Eleanor Lloyd. (London Literary Society) 6s.

There is much reality, much character, much fairness and clearness of insight in this very worthy story of the Great Rebellion.

446. The Legend of Montrose. By Sir Walter Scott.

A brilliant fragment of the career of the great Marquess.

447. Journal of Lady Beatrix Graham. (Bell) 5s.

A lovingly written study of the character of Montrose, purporting to be by his sister. It has great sweetness.

448. The Draytons and the Davenants. By the Author of the ‘Schönberg-Cotta Family.’ (Nelson) 3s. 6d.

Conscientious Roundheads and Cavaliers, a little too much inclined to think everybody in the right.

449. John Inglesant. By J. H. Shorthouse. (Macmillan) 6s.

Too grand and deep a book for the average readers of a parish library, but one that cannot be omitted here, though it is a very Triton among the minnows. It is a real study to such as can appreciate it.

450. The King’s Namesake. By C. M. Phillimore. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

A child’s tale of the captivity of King Charles.

451. St. George and St. Michael. By G. Macdonald. (Kegan Paul) 4s. 6d.

A noble and brilliant sketch of the time of the siege of Raglan Castle, the devices of Lord Glamorgan and the constancy of the grand old Marquis of Worcester.

452. Brave Dame Mary. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

The first siege of Corfe Castle made into a fairly interesting tale.

453. The Pigeon Pie. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 1s.

Also a child’s tale of the hiding of fugitive Cavaliers.

454. Under the Storm, or Steadfast’s Charge. By C. M. Yonge. (National Society) 3s. 6d.

A young lad left in charge of the church plate during the Rebellion. An attempt at realising the condition of the lower classes in those times.

455. The Two Swords. By Emma Marshall. (Seeley)

456. Dorothy’s Venture. (Nelson) 6d.

Prettily told of a child begging her uncle’s life of Cromwell, but with historical blunders. Vane had long broken with Cromwell. Moreover, the Protector loved practical jokes, and he is here said to have despised them.

457. Rosamond Fane. By M. Lee. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

The escape of the Duke of York, very well told, so as to be thoroughly acceptable to children.

458. The Children of the New Forest. By Capt. Marryat. (Bell) 5s. (Routledge) 3s. 6d.

Adventures of the orphans of a Cavalier so related as to be a treasure to children.

459. Woodstock. By Sir Walter Scott.

One of the most delightful of all Sir Walter’s historical novels.

460. Scapegrace Dick. By F. M. Peard. (National Society) 3s. 6d.

A young runaway who serves under Admiral Blake, and, being taken prisoner, goes through very interesting experiences among the great Dutch artists.

461. The Carved Cartoon. By Austin Clare. (S.P.C.K.) 4s.

Awkwardly named, but exciting much interest even in persons with no knowledge of history by the vicissitudes of Grinling Gibbons, the carver, in the Plague and Fire of London.

462. The Brave Men of Eyam. By the Rev. E. N. Hoare. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

The plague at Eyam. Authentic records told as a story, but unfortunately rather dry.

463. Peveril of the Peak (Scott) would complete the roll here, but it might not be desirable for all readers.

464. In the Golden Days. By Edna Lyall. (Hurst & Blackett) 6s.

Has a noble hero, but Algernon Sidney is scarcely a desirable subject for enthusiasm.

465. Under the Mendips. By Emma Marshall. (Seeley) 5s.

Monmouth’s rebellion and its consequences.

466. The Last of the Cavaliers. (Bentley) 6s.

Deservedly reprinted. On the battle of Killiecrankie.

467. The Oak Staircase. By M. and C. Lee. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

The troubles of one of the maids of Taunton related by herself. A great favourite with children.

468. The Danvers Papers: and Lady Hester. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

A Puritan lady and Jacobite husband at the time of the Revolution.

469. The Maidens’ Lodge. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 3s. 6d.

A pretty picture of Queen Anne’s time.

470. The Travels of Two Kits. By C. M. Yonge. In ‘Byewords.’ (Macmillan) 6s. See No. 574.

Two children’s pilgrimage to Queen Anne to be touched for the King’s evil.

471. Rob Roy, more powerful than pleasant, comes in here.

472. Dorothy Forster. By W. Besant. (Chatto & Windus) 2s.

A powerful story of the Rebellion of 1715.

473. Lady Betty. By C. R. Coleridge. (Warne) 3s. 6d.

A very graceful, lady-like tale of early Jacobite times.

474. Lucy’s Campaign. By M. Lee. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 1s. 6d.

The ’45 as seen by a little girl. A great favourite with those for whom it is meant, though there are a few anachronisms as to manners.

475. Waverley. By Sir Walter Scott.

The unrivalled presentment of the ’45.

476. Redgauntlet. By Sir Walter Scott.

The Jacobite plotters when their cause was worn out.

477. Diary of Kitty Trevelyan. By the Author of ‘Chronicles of the Schönberg-Cotta Family.’ (Nelson) 3s. 6d.

Showing the enthusiasm of Wesleyanism. To be given with due caution.

478. With Wolfe in Canada. By G. A. Henty. (Blackie) 6s.

Valuable details of the conquest.

479. A Great Treason. By M. Hoppus.

Too long and involved, but showing the state of society in the American war, especially the desertion of Arnold and the death of André.

480. Lionel Lincoln. By Fenimore Cooper. To be had in cheap form.

The siege of Boston.

481. Mother Molly. By F. M. Peard. (Bell) 5s.

An admirable alarm of a French invasion at Plymouth. Very life-like.

482. The Prisoner’s Daughter. By Esmé Stuart. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

French prisoners at Winchester.

483. Clare Saville. (Warne) 2s.

The days of the Blanketeers and of the Peninsular war.

484. How They were Caught in a Trap. By Esmé Stuart. (Marcus Ward) 5s.

English prisoners detained in France by Napoleon I.

485. Against the Stream. By the Author of ‘Chronicles of the Schönberg-Cotta Family.’ (S.P.C.K.) 4s.

The course of opinion and improvement in England during the reign of George III.

This is a brief list, but only those have been selected which have an interest as tales, apart from the history they are meant to illustrate.

486. Two Thousand Years Ago. By Prof. Church. (Blackie) 6s.

The adventures of a Roman lad in the days of Cæsar and Cicero.

487. Good King Wenceslas. By L. Schekky. (S.P.C.K.) 4d.

Why this is called a tale of old English life in the S.P.C.K. catalogue there is no guessing. Wenceslas is the King of Bohemia, well known in the ‘Christmas Carol.’

488. The Little Duke. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

Richard the Fearless of Normandy.

489. Brothers in Arms. (Church Extension Society) 2s. 6d.

The piteous story of the children’s crusade.

490. The King of a Day. By F. Wilford. (Masters) 1s.

A well-told tale of a little twelfth-day king in the fifteenth century.

491. The Constant Prince. By C. R. Coleridge. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.

The noble history of the prisoner Dom Fernando, the Christian Regulus of Portugal.

492. The Dove in the Eagle’s Nest. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

German barons under Maximilian.

493. The Schönberg-Cotta Family. (Nelson) 5s.

The early days of Luther.

494. In the Olden Time. By the Author of ‘Mlle. Mori.’ (Longmans) 2s. 6d.

The days of the peasants’ war in Germany.

495. Espérance; or, The Siege of Rouen. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

496. For Faith and Fatherland. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

The above two are Reformation tales in France and Holland.

497. The Chaplet of Pearls. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

The massacre of St. Bartholomew and its consequences.

498. The Thorn Fortress. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

The retreat of some villagers to a hiding-place in the forests during the Thirty Years’ War, and the doings of a little girl captured by a Croat. An unusually charming book.

499. The Little Blue Lady. By Mrs. Mitchell. (Masters) 4s. 6d.

A pretty story, though scarcely natural, of the brighter days of Marie Antoinette.

500. Seeketh not her Own. By S. M. Sitwell. (Shaw) 3s. 6d.

The story of the Lagaraye Hospital very well told.

501. Isabeau’s Hero. By Esmé Stuart. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

The revolt of the Cevennes, with the brave deeds of Cavalier.

502. By Fire and Sword. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

A powerful portrait of the Huguenot persecution under Louis XV.

503. The Blue Ribbons. By A. H. Drury. (See No. 80.)

A charming story of Marie Antoinette acting fairy to a little boy.

504. Through Rough Waters. By F. M. Peard. (Bell) 5s.

The rough waters are those of the first French Revolution.

505. Max Krömer. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.

The siege of Strasburg in the Franco-German war.

506. Kenneth; or, The Rear Guard of the Grand Army. By C. M. Yonge. (Parker) 5s.

The retreat from Moscow.

507. The Young Breton Volunteers. By M. Wilbraham. (Masters) 1s.

A rising of La Vendée against Napoleon in the Hundred Days.

508. Mademoiselle Mori. (Longmans) 2s. 6d.

An able and touching picture of the Italian struggles of 1848.

509. In Time of War. By J. F. Cobb. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.)

The siege of Paris first by Prussians and then by Communists.

MYTHOLOGY.

If we wish the young generation to understand more about allusions than is conveyed in the foot-notes of their School Readers, we must let them have access to a few books containing the more remarkable myths. I do not recommend Sir George Cox’s, as the reducing them to the supposed Aryan origin of natural phenomena mars the pleasure of reading them. The best books are:

510. The Heroes. By C. Kingsley. (Macmillan) 6s.

The earlier myths are here told to perfection. The only pity is that there are not more of them.

511. Tanglewood Tales: and the Wonder Book. By N. Hawthorne. (Routledge) 2 vols. 2s. each, or 1 vol. 3s. 6d.

Several of these are on the same subjects as those of Kingsley, but told with less deference to the original outline. Prometheus and Midas are specially memorable for the point given them. I have seen Midas delight clever village children and utterly perplex dull ones.

512. Stories from Heathen Mythology. By Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s.

Simply and charmingly told.

513. Greek Hero Stories. By Niebuhr. (Shaw) 2s. 6d.

These are translated from the German in which Niebuhr told them to his little son.

514. The Heroes of Asgard. By A. and E. Keary. (Macmillan) 2s. 6d.

To add the myths of our own ancestors to those of Greece, we have here the stories of Odin and Thor beautifully told.

Professor Church’s series, published by Seeley, should be in school libraries of a higher class, but they are too numerous and too expensive for the ordinary parish library.

515. Cruise of Ulysses and his Men. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 2s. 6d.

516. Old Greek Stories. By Charles Henry Hanson. (Nelson) 3s. and 3s. 6d.

517. Wanderings of Æneas. By Charles Henry Hanson. (Nelson) 3s. and 3s. 6d.

Narratives well told and illustrated. In the ‘Æneid’ it is often almost translation. Outline illustrations in Flaxman’s style, often from the antique, very small, but as nude figures occur, they must be shown with caution. Excellent prizes for boys aiming at cultivation of mind.

NOVELETTES AND NOVELS.

For want of a better title, we give this to tales fit for the growing maidens who are beyond the child story, and, above all, need to have their ideal of love and courtship elevated and refined. A few actual novels are added, in case it is thought desirable to put them into a library where the readers are of a somewhat superior class, as where there are the older girls and young women who will read what is mischievous if the good is not supplied.

518. Christopher. By Helen Shipton. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

A very beautiful imitation of the legend of St. Christopher carried into modern life.

519. The Valley Mill. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

Farm life, where the obstacles in the course of true love are the cattle plague and a strange robbery of an old miser. The young heiress, popularly called ‘the little Squire,’ is a charming portrait.

520. From Over the Water. (Walter Smith) 6s.

A Scotch bailiff meeting with strong insular prejudice in the Isle of Wight.

521. Rufus. (Masters) 4s. 6d.

This is by the same author and in the same locality, but the hero in this case is a native fisherman, the heroine a somewhat spoilt Scottish lassie, sister to the gardener and the pet of the young ladies.

522. The Lutaniste of St. Jacobi’s. By C. Drew. (Marcus Ward) 6s.

A German tale of music and lace-making, with an excellent moral against scamped work.

523. Bride Picotée. By the Author of ‘Mlle. Mori.’ (Bemrose) 3s. 6d.

Also a lace-making story, concerned with a young French girl and an almost forgotten art.

524. Cairnforth and Sons. By Helen Shipton. (S.P.C.K.) 3s.

Of master manufacturers. A high-minded tale.

525. Griffinhoof. By Crona Temple. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

This is the odd name of an old sailor on board a hulk who adopts a little orphan. There is a small novel of higher life connected with it, very prettily carried out.

526. A Leal Light Heart. By Annette Lyster. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

A charming character. The only fault we have to find is the worldliness of the old lady.

527. My Lonely Lassie. By Annette Lyster. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

The governess is a very pretty character. We could dispense with her becoming a marchioness in her own right, but no doubt it renders her the greater favourite.

528. A Stedfast Woman. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 3s.

A high-toned tale of constancy.

529. Two Ways of Looking at it. By Austin Clare. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

The narratives of a trained schoolmistress and a Yorkshire collier sandwiched together.

530. Like his own Daughter. (Walter Smith) 6s.

Middle-class life in Scotland.

531. Lucy and Christian Wainwright. (Masters) 3s. 6d.

There are some really beautiful tales in this collection, especially the one on the suspense of the sister of an Arctic voyager.

532. The Carbridges. By M. Bramston. (Warne) 3s. 6d.

A good and wholesome family history.

533. Guide, Philosopher, and Friend. By Mrs. H. Martin. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

A young lady becomes companion and adviser to some highly worthy farmers who have been encumbered with a huge fortune. It is well and sensibly carried out.

534. Her Title of Honour. By Holme Lee. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

Founded on the history of Henry Martyn and the Lydia who disappointed him.

535. Mine Own People. By L. M. Gray. (Nelson) 5s.

A girl, brought up as a companion to a nobleman’s daughter, who is returned to her own quiet family. (They are Scotch Presbyterians.) The lessons are excellent.

536. Hanbury Mills. By C. R. Coleridge. (Warne) 2s.

537. The Heir of Redclyffe. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

538. Heartsease. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

539. The Daisy Chain. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

540. The Trial. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

541. Pillars of the House. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 2 vols. 6s. each.

542. The Young Stepmother. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

543. Magnum Bonum. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

These are what I have found suit best in the parish library.

544. The Earl’s Daughter. By E. M. Sewell. (Longmans) 1s.

545. Katharine Ashton. By E. M. Sewell. (Longmans) 1s.

546. Ursula. By E. M. Sewell. (Longmans) 1s.

547. The Experience of Life. By E. M. Sewell. (Longmans) 1s.

548. Gertrude, &c. By E. M. Sewell. (Longmans) 1s.

These need no praise or recommendation, being well known as always sound and useful.

549. A Noble Life. By the Author of ‘John Halifax.’ (Hurst & Blackett) 5s.

The history of a deformed nobleman, which gives great delight and has a most excellent moral of patience and exertion.

550. Keeping the Vow. (Walter Smith) 5s.

A young Scotsman resolved to build a refuge for orphans. Founded on fact.

551. Mary Barton. By Mrs. Gaskell. (Smith, Elder) 2s. 6d.

An unrivalled tale of joys and sorrows in Manchester forty years ago. Full of beauty and full of pathos; never to be forgotten.

552. The Moorland Cottage. By Mrs. Gaskell. (Chapman & Hall) 2s. 6d.

Also a very charming story in a different style.

553. Janet’s Home. By Annie Keary. (Macmillan) 6s.

A delightful quiet novel of domestic life.

554. Oldbury. By Annie Keary. (Macmillan) 6s.

A still more attractive and uncommon story.

555. One Year. By Frances M. Peard. (Warne) 2s. and 3s. 6d.

Experiences of a French girl in England.

556. A Near Relation. By C. R. Coleridge. (White)

Difficulties of identity acting on character.

557. An English Squire. By C. R. Coleridge. (Low) 6s.

An elder brother half Spanish and the conduct of the younger towards him.

558. Gentleman Jim. By Mrs. Prentiss. (Nelson) 6d.

A mining story, touching and spirited.

559. Rudder Grange. By F. Stockton. (Douglas) 1s.

This most quaint and diverting American story is, among its other perfections, a good protest against romance derived from penny dreadfuls.

560. Country Maidens. By M. Bramston. (Marcus Ward) 3s. 6d.

A very winning story. It brings in a sceptically inclined young man, but he rights himself at last.

561. Robert Ord’s Atonement. By Rosa N. Carey. (Bentley) 6s.

A high-minded book.

562. Emilia Wyndham. By Mrs. Marsh. (Ward, Lock) 2s.

There are many novels by this lady, perhaps out of print, but all are harmless, sensible, and of a good tone.

563. Dorothy’s Daughters. By Mrs. Marshall. (Seeley) 5s.

This too is one of many volumes of tales, all safe, and with a religious and sensible tone.

564. The Diamond Rose. By Sarah Tytler. (Strahan) 5s.

This is our favourite among a large number of tales any one of which is safe reading.

565. Jasmine Lee. By C. Fraser Tytler. (Strahan) 5s.

The piteous story of a poor little abducted heiress.

566. Madeleine. By Julia Kavanagh. (Chapman & Hall) 2s.

The beautiful true tale of the French peasant girl who founded a hospital for incurables.

567. Gabrielle Vaughan. (Seeley) 5s.

A great favourite.

568. A Vantage-Ground for doing Good. By Florence Wilford. (Masters) 4s. 6d.

569. A Maiden of Our Own Day. By Florence Wilford. (Masters) 6s.

Both excellent in their different lines.

570. Through Trial to Triumph. By Maggie Symington. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

The troubles of a wife who cannot understand her husband.

571. A Young Philistine. By Alice Corkran. (Burns & Oates)

Three charming tales, two of foreign life, all teaching tenderness for the feelings of others.

572. A Promise Kept. By Mary E. Palgrave. (National Society) 3s.

Unusually striking and beautiful. A girl, whose dreams inspire missionary ardour, yet who has not steadfastness or courage enough to follow out her own visions when they may become earnest.

573. By Northern Seas. By Mary Bell. (Church Extension Society)

Dissent is here treated justly and fairly, and the tale is thoroughly interesting, containing natural though striking characters.

574. Byewords. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

Short tales mostly reprinted from the Christmas numbers of the ‘Monthly Packet.’

575. Uncle Max. By R. N. Carey. (Bentley)

An excellent tale of village nursing.

FAIRY TALES.

There are certain fairy tales that are absolute classics, and a knowledge of which is absolutely necessary to understand common allusions. The grandmothers have ceased to tell them, and the little chap-books are no more, so that it has happened to me to pause on a mention of ‘Cinderella’ or ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ and find no one understand it, and I have kept a whole school interested while waiting for an entertainment by telling one of these. Therefore, a small list is here given, for fairy tales should be regarded as treats, and only the superior ones put forth freely. It will generally be found that in the first stage of education they are despised, but that children of any imagination enjoy them. One or two imaginative classics are added.

576. The Fairy Book. Selected by the Author of ‘John Halifax.’ (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

These are the genuine old fairy tales, that ought to be known to everyone, simply told.

577. Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Mrs. Paull’s Selection. (Warne) 3s. 6d. or 2s. 6d. Globe edition (Macmillan) 2s.

These two sets make up the real folk-lore tales—remnants of old myths, of more modern ones.

578. Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales. Mrs. Paull’s Selection. (Warne) 3s. 6d.

These have, by their merits, become almost as classical as their predecessors, and quite as proverbial. The ‘Ugly Duckling’ and the ‘Daisy’ ought to be known to all.

579. The Hope of the Katzekopfs. By the Rev. F. Paget. (Masters) 2s.

Deserves to be classical for its fun and its moral.

580. Old-fashioned Fairy Tales. By Mrs. Ewing. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

Modern, but according to the ancient rules of fairy tales.

581. The Arabian Nights. By the Rev. G. F. Townsend. (Routledge) 3s. 6d.

These are almost necessary for the understanding of allusions, besides the fascination of such tales as ‘Aladdin’s Lamp,’ ‘The Forty Thieves,’ or ‘Sindbad.’ It is remarkable that Hannah More thought even the old uncastigated tradition translated from the French more wholesome reading for young people than contemporary tales of character, perhaps because less tending to introspection.

582. Alice in Wonderland. By Lewis Carroll. (Macmillan) 6s.

583. Through the Looking-Glass. By Lewis Carroll. (Macmillan) 6s.

It takes some cultivation to enjoy these wondrously droll compositions.

584. The Water Babies. By C. Kingsley. (Macmillan) 6s.

The same may be said of this. These are literature, though we are not sure whether ordinary school children would care for them.

585. Fairy Legends of the South of Ireland. By Croker. (Swan Sonnenschein) 5s.

These are some of the most delightful fairy tales in existence, told with an Irish humour that adds infinitely to their zest.

586. The Light Princess. By G. Macdonald. (Daldy) 2s. 6d.

Worthy to be old fairy tales.

587. The Little Lame Prince. By the Author of ‘John Halifax.’ (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

Too beautiful and earnest not to be well worth reading.

588. Four Winds Farm. By Mrs. Molesworth. (Macmillan)

One of the best of Mrs. Molesworth’s dream-like tales.

589. Down the Snow Stairs. By Alice Corkran. (Blackie) 6s.

Of the same type.

MOTHERS’ MEETINGS. — FICTION. — COUNSEL. — EXTRACTS.

Weary, hardworked women thoroughly enjoy a bit of interesting reading, whether pathetic or droll. Foreign tales or those of adventure do not, as a rule, interest them, and the old-fashioned book, where a preternaturally wise dame instructs her neighbours is too much a lecture in disguise. By all means, let there be some religious reading, then if possible some on sanitary habits, domestic economy and management of children, but not under the disguise of a story. A good, genuine fiction gives them a real interest and something to talk of. It should not appear to be a child’s book or they will feel insulted, but they like nothing better than when the joys or sorrows turn on an infant; and there is no better mode of conveying indirect lessons—to some persons, that is to say, for there are others who have no notion of applying what they hear to real life. Still, wholesome amusement is a thing of which they get all too little, and the pleasure of being read to is one they thoroughly appreciate. Of course these books are specially fitted for lending to old or young. They are only classed under the category of books for Mothers’ Meetings because eminently fitted for that purpose as well as for Lending Library shelves.

590. A Dog’s Mission. By Mrs. Beecher Stowe. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

A family reconciliation.

591. The Story of the Lost Emerald. By Emma Marshall. (Nelson) 1s.

The loss of an old maid’s much-valued jewel at a fire rouses her to think of higher things.

592. Pamela’s Bequest. By Mrs. Sandford. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.

The bequest is a delicate child, left by a dying mother to a kindly little formal dressmaker while the father is at sea. The complications on his return are most effective. When he makes a blundering offer and gets refused, a listening woman has been known to rap the table in an ecstasy of enjoyment.

593. Afloat. By Mrs. Stanley Leathes. (John F. Shaw) 3s. 6d.

A family bereaved for a time of a little girl sent adrift in a boat by an idiot. It excites great interest.

594. Burnt Out. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.

On the demoralising effects of going about with a petition.

595. Aunt Kezia’s Will. By S. M. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

A family quarrel pacified through the love and interest excited by a blind child.

596. Laddie. (Walter Smith) 1s.

A most touching story of an old peasant woman’s journey to London to see her son, who has risen to eminence as a doctor.

597. Short Stories for Mothers’ Meetings. By Florence Wilford. (Masters) 2s.

Well-written stories, especially fitted for those meetings where the attendance is too irregular for continuous reading to be advisable.

598. Tales for Mission Rooms. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

The first of these is a capital lesson on gossip; the second has a very touching portrait in it.

599. Meg’s Mistake. By Mrs. O’Reilly. (Strahan)

Originally published as ‘Sussex Stories.’ Very lifelike, and two at least can be read with admirable effect—namely, ‘Fairy Gold’ and another bringing in the accident to the London steamboat ‘Princess Alice.’ The others have been tried, but do not seem as well liked. Perhaps they are too wordy.

600. Pictures of Cottage Life. By M. Poole. (Macmillan) 3s. 6d.

These are thoroughly delightful. There is an old woman with what she thinks is a skeleton warning in her eye, also a deserted wife and an adopted child, who all are completely real and as touching as they are quaint.

601. The Cottage Next Door. By Helen Shipton. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

The taming of a rough lad through the helplessness of the pretty little silly wife and babies whom his brute of a brother abandons for a while.

602. True Gold. (Church Extension Society) 2s.

A family at the gold-diggings, where the wife realises more at last by making ginger-beer than the husband by all his find of nuggets, and her faithful uprightness and industry are the saving of all.

603. Harry’s Discipline. By Laura Lane. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

A good-natured careless young railway porter neglects his mother till she is almost starved. The lesson is chiefly meant for the sons, but it deeply affects the mothers, and is a warning to them not to spoil their boys.

604. The Lion Battalion. Story 2. (See No. 21.)

605. Little Meg’s Children. (See No. 49.)

606. Scenes in a Children’s Hospital. By L. Burke. (R.T.S.) 1s.

Interests the mothers greatly.

607. Wee Willie Winkie. (Cassell) 1s. 6d.

The beginning, being an old fisherman’s difficulties with a baby rescued from a wreck, is much enjoyed. The latter part is neither so natural nor so effective.

608. What a Man Soweth. By G. Stebbing. (Nisbet) 3s. 6d.

A boy perverted by his mother laughing at small pilferings. The conclusion is improbably happy, but the tale is excellent.

609. The Storm of Life. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.

A painful but very effective story of a poor woman just out of prison striving to redeem her character and save her little girl from her wicked husband. The only flaw in the book is the disregard of baptism for a babe only born to die.

610. An Innocent. By S. M. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

Here a little half-witted girl is the good angel of her rough, careless parents. The people are very naturally drawn.

611. The Watchers on the Longships. By J. F. Cobb. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

A lighthouse story. Very welcome on the coast, where a woman has been known to lie awake thinking of it.

612. My Little Patient. (Masters) 6d.

Supposed to be told by a doctor. Full of pathos, which touches mothers more than it does children.

613. Copsley Annals. By Miss Elliot. (Seeley) 5s.

A delightful book for all ages. Perhaps the best for mothers is the tale that has been published separately under the title of

614. Mrs. Blackett’s Story. 1s.

615. Tried and True. By Florence Wilford. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

The faithfulness of a fly driver, who wins his wife back from habits of intoxication.

616. Bearing the Yoke. By Helen Shipton. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

A young farmer weighed down by a liability incurred by his father.

617. Young Sixfoot. By Mrs. Garnett. (S.P.C.K.) 6d.

A navvy story, but likely to be highly appreciated by women.

618. Tales of the Bush. By Mrs. Vidal. (Masters) 3s. 6d.

Australian life, but good for all, especially one on Sunday trading.

619. Daddy Dick. By Mrs. Bromfield. 3s. 6d.

The civilisation of a rude lad through a little waif. It appeals to the maternal sympathy.

620. An Empty House. By E. Wordsworth. (Hatchards) 6d.

A story of much power and beauty, turning on a crime committed by an intoxicated man.

621. Bede’s Charity. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 3s. 6d.

A beautiful and striking tale. No one can better strike the chords of homely pathos than Hesba Stretton, but all her tales are not equal, and some are written for special purposes.

622. Friends till Death. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.

The very touching affection of an old shepherd for his helpless friend.

623. Homes Made and Marred. (R.T.S.) 2s. 6d.

Sensible and useful.

624. Two Christmas Stories. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 6d.

The last is specially excellent when a short effective tale is wanted.

625. Seeketh Not Her Own. (See No. 500.)

626. The Heroine of a Basket Van. By Mary Bramston. (National Society) 2s. 6d.

Excellent for mothers as well as children.

627. High and Lowly. By Ellen Davis. (Nisbet) 2s.

Well-told migrations of a retired servant in search of a home. A Blue Ribbon conquest at the end.

628. For Half-a-Crown. (See No. 114.)

629. A Railway Garden. By Mrs. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

A bright wife and a nagging wife, also a lesson against being hard on a sinner.

630. Gran. (Nisbet) 2s. 6d.

A drinking husband suddenly reformed by his child’s death.

631. Five Thousand Pounds. By Agnes Giberne. (Nisbet) 2s.

A sad story of a legacy proving the ruin of a family.

632. The Black Coppice. By Mrs. Lawson. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

A very excellent narrative of the trials of a poacher’s good wife, entering more than do many such books into real difficulties in Church-going.

633. Two Poor Old Women. By Mrs. Lawson. (S.P.C.K.) 12s. per 100.

A spirited tract on content and discontent.

When the clergyman will open mothers’ meetings, and give a little instruction, this is all that is requisite to convey the religious tone. If he be not there, it may be well to begin with something serious. Some ladies can explain a chapter of the Bible, but in most cases a reading will be most convenient for the purpose. Here are a few suggested:—

634. Letters from an Unknown Friend. By the Author of ‘Charles Lowder.’ (Kegan Paul) 1s. (See No. 280.)

Short explanations of the claims of the Church, which may be useful as guarding against Dissent.

635. An Address to Women. By the Bishop of Carlisle. (S.P.C.K.) 2d.

This is a most admirable, practical address given at the time of the Carlisle Church Congress. It goes into the ordinary trials of woman’s life with great force, and at the same time gives all encouragement.

636. An Earnest Appeal to Mothers. By Mrs. G. Sumner. (Nisbet) 3d.

Strong and touching appeals to mothers on guarding the purity of their children from the first.

637. A Few Words to Mothers of Little Children. (Hatchards) 2d. each or 50 at half-price.

Teaching the same lesson of preserving modesty. These three little books may be given broadcast, but they will be more effective if first read.

638. Half-hours at Mothers’ Meetings. 2s.

Some of the little discourses here are very useful. One entitled ‘The Hour of Temper’ merits especial praise.

639. The Chimney Corner. By E. Wordsworth. (Hatchards) 1s. 6d.

640. Short Words for Long Evenings. By E. Wordsworth. (Hatchards) 1s. 6d.

641. Work-a-Day World. By E. Wordsworth. (Hatchards) 1s. 6d.

All the above three are deeply thoughtful, often poetical, yet simple moralisings on common things.

642. Plain Words. By the Bishop of Bedford. One series 2s., or in separate tracts in 3 packets, 1s. each.

The force and beauty of these need no praise here, and they have the further merit of being just the right length.

643. The Scripture Half-hour at Mothers’ Meetings. (R.T.S.) 2s.

There are some admirable bits here, especially in the way of true anecdote and application, but some selection may be needful.

644. Bits of Talk on Home Matters. (Sampson Low) 2s.

There are most admirable chapters in this little book; to be valued by mothers of all degrees. ‘A polite mother’ is an admirable lesson.

The above are serious. Those that follow are domestic and secular.

645. Ways and Means in a Devonshire Village. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

Conversations on household management and cookery, done with spirit, and eliciting remarks and comparisons.

646. Lectures on Health. By Mrs. Hallett. (Hatchards) 1s. 6d.

Very useful explanations of sanitary measures in plain language.

647. How to be Well. By Mrs. Hallett. (Walter Smith) 1s.

Good advice on clothing, food, and regulation.

648. Till the Doctor Comes. By Dr. Hope. (R.T.S.) 6d., in cloth 9d.

649. The Making of the Home. By Mrs. C. Barnett. (Cassell) 1s. 6d.

Very good hints on house, health, and clothes.

650. Social Economy Reading Book. (National Society) 2s.

Even better adapted for reading to mothers than by children.

A few passages are here mentioned as serving well to read aloud at Mothers’ Meetings, though the whole book might not serve equally well.

651. The Way of the Cross. By Emily S. Holt. (Shaw) 1s. 6d.

The ‘Web Ismene Wove,’ the third tale in this book, is exceedingly beautiful, and is an excellent reading near Passiontide. It is the story of a Greek girl at Jerusalem, who longs to make something to be used in the service of the God of Israel. The white web she weaves comes to be sold in haste to Joseph of Arimathæa, and thus her longing is fulfilled. The second tale is harmless, being of the mother of Ahaz, and how she spoilt her son; but the first would hardly be given or read aloud by those who would shrink from the strong assertion that SS. James, Jude, and Joses were sons of the Blessed Virgin.

652. The Man on the Top of the Ark, and other Gospel Parables. By Alexander MacLeod Symington. (Nisbet) 1s.

If at the end of the first parable the reader inserts the text, ‘The like figure whereunto even Baptism doth now save us,’ the teaching is complete. The application of the Brazen Serpent and the City of Refuge is also excellent. They are the Biblical history dramatised, as it were. (See No. 353.)

653. Catharine and Crawfurd Tait. (Macmillan) 2s. 6d. and 6s.

If the reader can command her voice to get through it, the history of Mrs. Tait’s successive bereavements will be listened to with intense interest.

654. Mrs. Gaskell’s Tales. In 7 vols. (Smith, Elder, & Co.) 2s. 6d. and 3s. 6d. each.

655. Libbie Marsh’s Three Eras.

St. Valentine’s day. Story of a factory girl and a cripple.

656. The Sexton’s Story.

An heroic act of self-sacrifice.

657. Christmas Storms and Sunshine.

A quarrel made up over a baby.

These three admirable stories are bound up with others less useful in collected editions of Mrs. Gaskell’s Tales, and are not to be had separately.

658. In Mary Barton, by Mrs. Gaskell (Smith, Elder, & Co.) (see No. 551),

Job’s description of the two old men’s journey by the coach with the baby cannot fail to enchant the women.

FOR MISSIONARY WORKING-PARTIES.

These are of such very different composition that all that can be done here is to suggest books bearing on varieties of Mission labour at home and abroad, such as may interest either cultivated ladies, middle-class women, or very young people.

659. Home Workers for Foreign Missions. By E. J. Whately. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.

A remarkably sensible, clever book. Should be read by all beginning a working-party, to show them what to do and what not to do.

660. Black and White. By H. Forde. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

Short sketches of home and foreign missions admirably sandwiched together.

661. Pioneers and Founders. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

Brief biographies of English and American missionaries.

662. Life of Henrietta Robertson. By Anne Mackenzie. (Bell) 3s. 6d.

A record of devoted labours in the earlier days of the Zulu mission.

663. The Story of a Fellow-Soldier. By Frances Awdry. (Macmillan) 2s. 6d.

A short life of Bishop Patteson.

664. An Elder Sister. By Frances Awdry. (Bemrose) 4s. 6d.

The lives of Charles Mackenzie, first Bishop of Zululand, and his fellow-worker and sister.

665. Our Maoris. By Lady Martin. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

Very life-like accounts of work in New Zealand almost from the first settlement, often droll, always striking, taken from letters written at the time the events happened.

666. Three Martyrs of the Nineteenth Century. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

Short biographies of Dr. Livingstone, Bishop Patteson, and General Gordon.

667. A Wider World. By Crona Temple. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

An attempt to show how interest in missionary life enlarges the whole mind and interest. The execution is not equal to the conception, but, such as it is, it may be a useful opening of the subject.

668. New Ground. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3s.

Story of a missionary’s family in Natal chiefly founded on letters from the Mackenzie family.

669. Life of Bishop Venables of Nassau. By Rev. W. H. F. King. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 3s. 6d.

670. Life of Bishop Field of Newfoundland. By Rev. H. W. Tucker. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 5s.

Brief and very interesting biographies of two noble-hearted missionary bishops.

671. Ten Years among the Coloured Folk.

This is an American clergyman’s experience among the emancipated negroes of Baltimore. (A small book, about 2s., can no doubt be procured through Sampson Low.)

672. Dust Ho! By H. A. Forde. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

Descriptions of home mission work.

673. Master Missionaries. By Dr. A. H. Japp. (Unwin) 3s. 6d.

The life of General Oglethorpe, with which this begins, is very curious and interesting. Fit for the educated.

674. Effie and her Ayah. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

675. Little Tija. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

Short studies of Indian child life, suited to a simple audience or those including children.

676. Alone among the Zulus. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

The veritable adventures of a lady, some twenty years ago, when she went to attend a brother who had fallen sick on a hunting expedition.

677. Mrs. Poynter’s Missionary Box. (S.P.C.K.) 2d.

May be useful in showing how these can be used.

678. My Two Years in an Indian Mission. By H. F. Blackett. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.

A vivid picture of actual mission work by the clergy; full of interest in both town and country work.

679. Ten Years in Melanesia. By the Rev. Alfred Penny. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 5s.

680. Mission Work in British Guiana. By the Rev. W. G. Brett. 3s.

A delightful book, if only regarded as one of travels.

681. Sketches of Sarawak. By Mrs. Macdougall. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

There is unfailing interest in the narrative of the devoted life led by Bishop and Mrs. Macdougall in the days of Rajah Brooke.

682. Glimpses of Maori Land. By Annie R. Butler. (R.T.S.) 5s.

A delightful tour among the clergy in New Zealand.

683. Klatsassan. By C. S. Brown. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.

Missionary work in British Columbia.

684. Straightforward. By H. A. Forde. (Church Extension Society) 1s.

May be reckoned as properly a tale of adventure; but as it results in intercourse with the Papuans, it might serve well for a work party needing something of a story to keep up their attention.

685. Our Navvies. By Mrs. Garnett. (Hodder) 3s. 6d.

An excellent book that should be read whenever it is desirable to interest people in navvy missions.

686. A Promise Kept. (See No. 572.)

IMPROVING BOOKS. — ON DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. — ADVENTURES.

Under this head are classed those on different countries, on history, biography, natural history, popular science, and real adventure.

As has been said before, these are specially suited for prizes, as they will be read again in after life. For those intended for young people there will never be any great demand. In almost all lending libraries they stand still on their shelves with clean pages. We teach our children too much for them to be willing to learn for themselves. The appetite may come in after times, and sometimes may exist or be excited in some particular direction. In cases where young people are secluded from school by illness, it is desirable on all accounts that their mental fare should include something besides devotional books and fiction.

To begin with, the use of maps and the reading lessons at school make scenes in different countries interesting, and perhaps the surest books to be appreciated as rewards are those giving pictures of costumes, &c.

687. All the Russias. By E. C. Phillips. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

688. Chats about Germany. By M. Brown. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

689. Round Africa. By E. C. Bruce. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

690. The Land of Temples. By M. Field. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

691. New Zealand. By B. Francis. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

692. Glimpses of South America. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

693. A Ramble round France. By J. Chesney. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

694. The Land of the Pyramids. By J. Chesney. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

695. The Eastern Wonderland. By B. C. Angus. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

696. Peeps into China. By E. C. Phillips. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

These have ‘pictures’ to every other page, and are wonders of cheapness and really interesting writing.

697. In the Polar Regions. (Nelson) 2s. 6d.

698. In the Temperate Regions. (Nelson) 2s. 6d.

699. In the Tropical Regions. (Nelson) 2s. 6d.

All the above are compilations full of interesting descriptions and good illustrations.

700. Little Lucy’s Wonderful Globe. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

Sketches of child life in various lands, adapted to Frölich’s illustrations. Too dear for a prize, but children like it when lent to them.

701. Child Life in Chinese Homes. By Mrs. Bryson. (R.T.S.) 5s.

702. The Children of Africa. (Hodder & Stoughton) 5s.

Fully illustrated, very easy and amusing, though China is better done than Africa as being a less wide field.

703. Early English Voyagers. (Nelson) 5s.

The voyages of Drake, Cavendish, and Dampier excellently told.

704. Letters from Egypt. By J. Whately. (Seeley).

A model of the style of thing.

705. Germany. By S. Baring-Gould. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

706. Egypt. By Stanley Lane-Poole. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

707. Denmark and Iceland. By E. C. Otté. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

708. France. By the Author of ‘Mlle. Mori.’ (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

709. Japan. By S. Mossman. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

710. Russia. By W. R. Morfill. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

711. Austria. By D. Kay. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

712. Greece. By L. Sergeant. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

713. West Indies. By C. H. Eden. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

714. Peru. By Clements Markham. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

715. Australia. By J. F. Vesey Fitzgerald. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

716. Spain. By Wentworth Webster. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

717. Sweden and Norway. By F. H. Woods. (Sampson Low) 3s. 6d.

These are not so ornamental as Cassell’s series, though they have maps and illustrations; but if I may judge from the two specimens I have seen—namely, ‘France’ and ‘Germany’—they are full of interest and information amusingly given, and would be excellent for any intelligent person in need of knowledge of some special place. Very good for town or club libraries where the readers rise above fiction.

718. Great Waterfalls. By John Gibson. (Nelson) 2s. 6d.

Well-illustrated descriptions of cataracts and geysers.

719. A Jolly Fellowship. By F. Stockton. (Kegan Paul) 5s.

The droll adventures of three American schoolboys who make a tour by themselves in Florida and Cuba.

720. Road to the North Pole. (R.T.S.) Series I. and II., 1s. each.

An excellent abstract of the American Arctic expeditions of the ‘George Henry,’ the ‘Polaris,’ and the ‘Jeannette.’

These are truthful adventures, in contradistinction to the Kingston, Ballantyne, Verne, and other ‘books for boys’ which abound. Where we should lend those we should give these.

721. Real Stories from Many Lands. By Lady Verney. (S.P.C.K.) 9d.

The wonderful first navigation of the Colorado. A terrible conflict between a horse and a tiger, and the escape of Grotius. Easy, and likely to satisfy the children who ask ‘Is it true?’

722. Perils of the Deep. (S.P.C.K.) 4s.

Collections of the most striking and memorable wrecks and other trials of sailors. Just the book for men or boys invalided.

723. Peril and Adventure. By L. Valentine. (Warne) 2s.

724. Valour and Enterprise. By L. Valentine. (Warne) 2s.

725. Brave Days of Old. By L. Valentine. (Warne) 2s.

726. Daring and Doing. By L. Valentine. (Warne) 2s.

727. On Honour’s Roll. By L. Valentine. (Warne) 3s. 6d.

728. Heroism and Adventure. By L. Valentine. (Warne) 3s. 6d.

729. Sea Fights and Land Battles. By L. Valentine. (Warne) 3s. 6d.

Noble deeds, true and inspiring, such as should go to the heart of brave lads.

730. A Book of Golden Deeds. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d. Selection, 1s.

Heroic actions in all ages.

731. Heroes of the Arctic and their Adventures. By Whymper. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

732. Across the Pampas. By Sir F. Head. (Murray) 2s.

One of those spirited and delightful books that never grow stale.

733. Anson’s Voyages. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.

Compressed, and ever interesting.

734. Wanderings in South America. By Charles Waterton. (Macmillan) 6s. or 6d.

The most delightful of true travellers’ wonders.

735. Lady Brassey’s Voyage in the ‘Sunbeam.’ (Longmans) 6d.

Later aspects of the world.

736. Ride to Khiva. By Col. Fred. Burnaby. (Cassell) 1s. 6d.

Highly interesting in the present state of things. Where there is a set of readers open to the interest of books of travels, a watch had better be kept on Mudie’s second-hand list.

737. Around and About Old England. By C. L. Matéaux. (Cassell) 3s. 6d.

738. Huc’s Life and Travels in Tartary. (Nelson) 1s.

The adventures of the two Jesuit missionaries made a great sensation at the time of publication, and are most amusing.

739. Egypt and Nubia. By J. St. John. (Chapman & Hall)

A book with much reading in it, and likely to be very much read if still in print.

740. Two Years in the Region of Icebergs. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

HISTORY. — SHORT STORIES ON HISTORY. — JUVENILE ENGLISHMEN’S HISTORICAL LIBRARY.

History is seldom very acceptable to young people of the working classes. They do not live in a sufficiently cultivated atmosphere to keep up interest in what they learn at school; but sometimes an event or perhaps an historical tale rouses their curiosity, and those a little more cultivated ought to learn to read for themselves. Histories are particularly desirable as prizes, since they may be used and referred to through life. Moreover, everything should be done to get pupil-teachers beyond the mere cram of names and dates.

741. The Story of Russia. By M. E. Benson. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

742. The Story of Norway. By C. E. Sedgwick. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

743. The Story of Switzerland. By F. M. Lee. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

744. The Story of Spain. By Julia Huxley. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

745. The Story of Denmark. By C. E. Sedgwick. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

746. The Story of Holland. By Isabel Don. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

747. The Story of Iceland. By Letitia Macoll. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

Capital brief sketches of people, country, and history. Not difficult, but familiar and amusing. Illustrated and prettily got up.

748. English. (S.P.C.K.) 3s.

749. France. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

750. Germany. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

751. Spain. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

752. Sweden. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.

These are history chiefly in conversation. They are fairly well done, but it is generally difficult to excite interest in foreign histories.

753. History of England. By J. M. Neale. (Masters) 1s. 6d.

754. History of Greece. By J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s.

755. History of Rome. By S. Fox. (Masters) 2s.

756. History of Spain. By B. J. Johns. (Masters) 2s.

757. History of Portugal. By J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s.

758. History of Ireland. By T. K. Arnold. (Masters) 1s. 6d.

759. History of Scotland. By W. B. Flower. (Masters) 2s.

Plainly got up, but telling much that is useful.

Aunt Charlotte’s Histories, by C. M. Yonge, namely—

760. Scripture. (Marcus Ward) 6s. or 2s.

761. England. (Marcus Ward) 6s. or 1s. 6d.

762. France. (Marcus Ward) 6s.

763. Germany. (Marcus Ward) 6s.

764. Greece. (Marcus Ward) 6s.

765. Rome. (Marcus Ward) 6s.

766. America. (Marcus Ward) 6s.

These, except the two first, of which there are cheaper editions, are too full of illustrations not to be costly.

767. Lectures on the History of England for Working Men and Women. By M. Guest. (Macmillan) 6s.

An epitome of life and manners in England, actually composed for and read aloud to an audience of mechanics.

768. The Story of the Crusades. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

769. Children of Westminster Abbey. By Rose Kingsley. (Sampson Low) 5s.

Descriptions of the building and the monuments, with histories of the persons there buried, showing a most loving hand.

770. Stories of the Tower. By M. Wilson. (Cassell) 2s.

Narratives of the chief events, and histories of the chief prisoners of the Tower. These two should be in all libraries for Londoners.

771. Two of England’s Wars; or, Theodore and Coffee. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.

Well and shortly told histories of the Abyssinian and Ashantee campaigns.

772. Talks about the Laws we live under. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s.

An endeavour to give a popular account of our institutions and authorities.

773. The Citizen Reader. (Cassell) 1s. 6d.

The same work, so much better done that it is to be regretted that it should be so evidently intended as a school-book.

774. Cawnpore. By Sir George Trevelyan. (Macmillan) 6s.

A terrible history, riveting interest.

BIOGRAPHY.

A real life often speaks more plainly and effectively than a hundred sermons or exhortations. And as childhood is outgrown, intelligent persons will have a curiosity about those whose names they may have heard.

Cassell’s World’s Workers, namely—

775. General Gordon. (Cassell) 1s.

776. Charles Dickens. (Cassell) 1s.

777. Titus Salt and George Moore. (Cassell) 1s.

778. Florence Nightingale. (Cassell) 1s.

779. Sir H. Havelock. (Cassell) 1s.

780. Abraham Lincoln. (Cassell) 1s.

781. Livingstone. (Cassell) 1s.

782. Franklin. (Cassell) 1s.

783. Cobden. (Cassell) 1s.

784. Handel. (Cassell) 1s.

785. Turner. (Cassell) 1s.

786. G. and R. Stephenson. (Cassell) 1s.

These are full of life, not too long, and exactly suited to their purpose.

787. Life of Dr. Kane, the Arctic Hero. By M. Jones. (Nelson) 2s.

788. Baron von Humboldt. By M. Jones. (Nelson) 2s.

Illustrated, and excellent for presents.

789. Sir David Wilkie and his Works. (Nelson) 2s.

790. Charles Kingsley. People’s edition. (Kegan Paul) 4s. 6d.

This is a book that should be widely dispersed among the more intelligent, especially where there is much temptation to scepticism.

791. Charles Lowder. (Kegan Paul) 3s. 6d.

A biography that wins the heart as much as did the man.

792. Life of the Earl of Shaftesbury. By Edwin Hodder. (Cassell) 7s. 6d.

So noble, pure, devoted, and charitable a life ought to be known to all.

793. Sister Dora. By M. Lonsdale. (Kegan Paul) 2s. 6d.

Excites the warmest enthusiasm.

794. The Story of a Fellow-Soldier. By F. Awdry. (Macmillan) 2s. 6d.

An abridged life of Bishop Patteson.

795. An Elder Sister. By F. Awdry. (Bemrose) 4s. 6d.

Bishop Charles Mackenzie and his sister Anne.

796. Life of Oberlin. By Mrs. Butler. (R.T.S.) 3s. 6d. or 6d.

The latter very small, but in cloth.

797. Nelson. By Southey. (Warne) 2s. 6d. (Routledge) 1s.

Needs no praise.

798. Life of Washington. 1s.

799. From the Log Cabin to the White House. (Warne) 1s.

800. From the Tan Yard to the White House. 1s.

The two latter are lives of Garfield and Grant, sensationally but not unwholesomely told.

801. Hannah More. By Anna J. Buckland. (R.T.S.) 3s.

Very well told.

802. Book of Worthies. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

Chiefly from ancient history.

803. Biographies of Good Women. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) Vol. I. 6s. Vol. II. 7s.

804. Notable Workers in Humble Life. By the Rev. E. N. Hoare. (Nelson) 2s.

An admirable and inspiriting book. Dick, Edward, Pound, Duncan, here appear as men who looked not to raise themselves in a worldly sense, but for better things.

805. The Peasant-Boy Philosopher. (Routledge) 3s. 6d.

Life of James Ferguson.

806. A Few Good Women. By Catharine MacSorley. (Hogg) 3s. 6d.

Lives of Mrs. Somerville, Lady Derby, the Princess de Lamballe, &c.

807. Heroes of the Indian Empire. By R. Foster. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

Lives of our great men in India from Clive to Havelock.

If more historical biographies are desired, there is an excellent series edited by Professor Creighton; also some good ones of S.P.C.K., but those here selected are chiefly those that are modern enough to interest the average library reader, of the sort who does not want either fiction or absolutely religious biography.

It is not easy to choose among the many lives of the Queen that the Jubilee has brought forth. S.P.C.K. and R.T.S. have each a large handsome one and a penny one. ‘The First Lady in the Land’ (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) is cheap and attractive. Tulloch’s ‘Life of Queen Victoria’ (Nisbet) for boys and girls, and Miss Yonge’s ‘Victorian Half Century’ (Macmillan), 1s. or 1s. 6d., have both had the honour of Her Majesty’s correction, and are both for the young; Tulloch’s, perhaps, for the youngest. Another life of Queen Victoria (Nelson), 1s. 6d., is a marvel of cheapness and very prettily told.

CHURCH HISTORY.

808. History of the Early Church. By Miss Sewell. (Longmans) 4s. 6d.

Easy narrative, going through the first three centuries.

809. The Mother Church. By C. A. Jones. 3s.

Simply told history of the early English Church.

810. Church History. By the Rev. J. M. Neale. (Walter Smith) 3s. 6d.

Vividly told as a congenial subject. The first three centuries.

811. Eighteen Centuries of Church History. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 5s.

An attempt to give salient facts in short easy chapters.

812. Turning-Points of General Church History. By the Rev. E. Cutts. (S.P.C.K.) 5s.

Very valuable as giving the most important events in ready form and short compass.

813. Turning-Points of English Church History. By the Rev. E. Cutts. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.

Equally good and nearer home.

814. Church History. By the Rev. A. D. Crake, B.A. (Rivingtons) 7s. 6d.

Full and interesting; up to the Council of Nicæa.

815. English Church History. By Canon Perry. (Murray) 3 vols. 7s. 6d. each.

Admirable histories of the Church in England.

816. Student’s Church History. (Murray) 2 vols. 7s. 6d. each.

A valuable epitome.

817. Epochs of Church History. Edited by Canon Creighton. (Longmans) 2s. 6d. per vol.

These are The Church and the Roman Empire, by the Rev. A. Carr. The Church of the Early Fathers, by the Rev. D. Plummer. The University of Oxford, by Hon. G. L. Brodrick. The Reformation in England, by G. G. Perry. The Church and the Puritans, by H. O. Wakeman. The Evangelical Revival, by Canon Overton. The English Church in Other Lands, by the Rev. H. W. Tucker.

These are excellent to give to schoolmasters or persons with some education and knowledge of history, but needing further elucidation of ‘turning-points.’

818. English Church History. By C. M. Yonge. (National Society) 1s. 6d. and 2s.

An easy account. Meant for schools.

819. Lights and Shadows of Church History. By the Rev. W. Hardman. 4s.

A series of excellent brief sermon lectures on the most noted facts in the growth of the Church. It has the merit of not being too long, and is fit for readers of superior education.

NATURAL HISTORY.

I have not found natural history popular in libraries. Indeed, I have known a magazine given up because there was too much of it. The children have a large amount of it in their Readers at school, where they like it, as it is a less dry subject than is presented by many of their lessons. If they belong to the Band of Mercy they sometimes have to get up the subject, and there is no doubt that this conduces to the cure of wanton cruelty. But though, as an alternative to a real study, children will enjoy an anecdote, and though a master, mistress, or friend can lead them to use their eyes and assist in some pursuit or collection, it is only the exceptional ones with a developed taste who will voluntarily read more than an occasional story. Where there is a real taste in one direction, technical books can be supplied, but the aim of the lending library can only be to give out works of general information or interest, such as may lead to a love of nature, prevent wanton or careless barbarity, and possibly excite a wholesome taste in some special direction. The S.P.C.K. has excellent technical and popular manuals, but these are fit for those who wish to study their subject, and should be possessed, not borrowed.

For lending may be suggested:—

820. Population of an Old Pear Tree. From the French of Van Bruyssell. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.

Capitally illustrated, and full of loveliness of description of the insect inhabitants of the tree.

821. Chapters on Popular Natural History. By Sir J. Lubbock. (National Society) 1s. 6d. and 2s.

Though published as a reading book, this is better for lending.

822. Outdoor Common Birds. Eighty illustrations. (Warne) 1s. 6d.

Even country children need this. They observe birds very little, and hardly know the names of any; even local provincial names are few, and they need to learn not to regard birds as enemies to be robbed and slaughtered.

823. Our Dogs. By Mrs. Beecher Stowe. (Nelson) 1s.

Real dogs—very good for readings and prizes for a Band of Mercy.

824. Songs of Animal Life. By Mary Howitt. (Nelson) 1s.

825. With the Birds. By Mary Howitt. (Nelson) 1s.

Perhaps children have come to look on poetry as necessarily lessons. If not, these are excellent gift-books for little ones.

826. Talks with Uncle Richard about Wild Animals. By Mrs. Cupples. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

827. Stories of the Cat and her Cousins. By Mrs. Surr. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

828. Stories of the Dog and his Cousins. By Mrs. Surr. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.

829. Tappy’s Chicks. By Mrs. Cupples. (Sonnenschein) 2s. 6d.

Interesting stories of animal life.

830. Homes without Hands. By the Rev. J. G. Wood. (Longmans) 10s. 6d.

Very delightful accounts of the constructions of moles, bees, &c.

831. Hidden Homes. By M. A. Paull. (Nisbet) 2s. 6d.

Many of the same facts as in Mr. Wood’s book, but made easy and put into a story. The ants and bees tell their habits pleasantly.

832. Birds’ Nests and Eggs. By the Rev. C. A. Johns. (S.P.C.K.) 3s.

Encouragement in birds’ nesting is not desirable, but if there be a school museum such a book as this is wanted.

833. Bird Songs and Bird Pictures. (R.T.S.) 1s.

834. Homes of the Birds. (Nelson) 2s.

835. Lessons taught by Dumb Animals. (S.P.C.K.) 8d.

836. Jenny and the Insects. (Nelson) 2s.

837. Botany Reading Books. (National Society) 1s. and 1s. 8d.

838. Rambles in Search of Wild Flowers. By Miss Plues. (Bell) 7s. 6d.

This is a real manual by which the names of English flowers may be found.

839. The Herb of the Field. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.

Easy botany for young children.

840. Apples and Oranges. By Mrs. Dyson. (R.T.S.) 3s. 6d.

An excellent book, giving the marvellous structure and history of fruits in a delightful manner, fit for any reader.

841. White’s Selborne. (Macmillan) 6s. (Walter Scott) 1s.

842. Sea Monsters and Sea Birds. By Dr. G. Hartwig. (Longmans) 2s. 6d.

843. Wild Animals of the Tropics. By Dr. G. Hartwig. (Longmans) 3s. 6d.

844. Wild Animals of the Bible. By the Rev. J. G. Wood. (Longmans) 3s. 6d.

845. Homes under the Ground. By the Rev. J. G. Wood. (Longmans) 3s. 6d.

These are full of anecdote and interest for young people.

BOOKS ON SCIENCE AND INVENTION.

These are few, but lending library books should not be treatises, they should only excite curiosity and give general information.

846. Star Lessons. By R. A. Proctor. (Chatto & Windus) 6s.

Substantial and real study.

847. Pictures of the Heavens. By C. Dyson. (Walter Smith) 3s.

Beginnings of astronomy.

848. Sun, Moon, and Stars. By Agnes Giberne. (Seeley) 5s.

849. Among the Stars. By Agnes Giberne. (Seeley) 5s.

Valuable introductions to astronomy, such as young people of any intelligence ought to be induced to read.

850. Madam How and Lady Why. By Canon Kingsley. (Macmillan) 6s.

Unrivalled exposition of the earth we tread on.

851. The World’s Lumber Room. By Selina Gaye. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.

Interesting information about the various uses to which refuse materials can be applied.

852. Engine-Driving Life. (Crosby Lockwood) 1s. 6d.

The true history of the training and the adventures met with on the railroad by the brave men to whom so many lives are entrusted. It is keenly interesting.

853. Stories of Invention. By E. Hale. (Nelson) 2s. 6d.

If a very American ‘setting’ be no objection, this gives a capital account of inventors and inventions.

854. Nature’s Wonders. By the Rev. R. Newton, D.D.

855. Science Gleanings. (Nelson) Each 2s. 6d.

Collections of striking phenomena with their explanation.

856. Chips from the Earth’s Crust. (Nelson) 2s. 6d.

RELIGIOUS BOOKS.

Very few directly religious books are here suggested. It is not well to give a very serious book in a chance way to a young creature expecting amusement. And the best books are fit rather to make a lengthened stay with the reader than to be handed on in the library. Tracts for special purposes do not belong to the general class of books in circulation, and those here set down are chiefly such as give information on principles, rather than actually devotional books or sermons.

857. Plain Words. By the Bishop of Bedford. (Wells Gardner Darton, & Co.) 4 vols. 2s. each.

No words are wanted to praise this well-known book.

858. The Light of Conscience. (Rivingtons) 2s. 6d.

Useful as showing how to deal with oneself.

859. Church Doctrine and Bible Truths. (Bell & Daldy) 3s. 6d.

Excellent instruction.

860. Last Years of Our Lord’s Ministry. By Dean Hook. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 5s.

Needs no praise.

861. Holy Living and Dying. By Bishop Jeremy Taylor. (Rivingtons) 1s. each.

Still as true as ever.

862. Readings for the Aged. (Sackville College Sermons.) By the Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) Complete set, 4 vols., 28s. 6d.

Discourses to the inmates of Sackville College, chiefly on Blackletter Saints.

863. Plain Church Teaching. (Masters) 3s. and 4s.

Short and excellent readings on the Sundays of the year.

864. Tracts on Church Principles. (Masters) 1s. 6d.

865. Personal Religion. By Dean Goulburn. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

Often makes a great impression.

866. The Pursuit of Holiness. By Dean Goulburn. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

The sequel of the above.

867. Household Theology. By Rev. J. H. Blunt. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.

868. Twilight of Life. By the Rev. J. Ellerton. (Cassell)

One of the few books in large type for aged eyes.

869. Heart Chords. (Cassell) 1s.

There are a number of these little books, by different authors, among them Bishops Boyd Carpenter and Ashton Oxenden. Useful religious books; good gifts for thoughtful persons.

MAGAZINES.

It is very desirable to get good magazines taken in by the parishioners. They are the most effectual means of occupying the ground against hurtful publications, and serial stories running on keep up the interest. If a shopkeeper can be made an agent, with a small percentage, the affair will thrive, as children’s magazines may be subscribed for at school.

870. Little One’s Own Picture Paper. (Dean) 1d.

The pictures are wonderfully good, so are the verses. Capital for showing to the infant class at a Sunday school.

871. The Rosebud. (Clarke & Co.) 1d.

For very small children.

872. The Children’s Pictorial. (S.P.C.K.) 2d.

Full of chromolithographs; but the stories are not serial, and this some children do not like.

873. The Prize. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 1d.

This bears a highly coloured ‘picture,’ and is greatly liked.

874. The Child’s Companion. (R.T.S.) 1d.

Well illustrated, and with pretty stories and short religious lessons.

875. Chatterbox. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) Weekly, ½d. Monthly, 3d.

Well illustrated and amusing; fit for young people somewhat older. The information is capital.

876. Little Folks. (Cassell) 6d.

A somewhat superior article, with sensible tales, original correspondence, and prize competitions. Matter fairly good.

877. My Sunday Friend. (Mowbray) 1d.

With the strongest Church tone of all these, and useful Sunday questions. Stories good.

878. Sunshine. 1d.

Fairly good; but the Bible questions are too like riddles.

879. Boy’s Own Paper. (R.T.S.) 1d. weekly, 6d. monthly.

Capital, and full of adventurous tales.

880. Girl’s Own Paper. (R.T.S.) 1d. weekly, 6d. monthly.

Hardly equal to the Boy’s, but very much appreciated by girls in their teens, whose wants it seems to satisfy in a sensible, innocent way.

881. Dawn of Day. (S.P.C.K.) ½d.

Fit for older children and young people. Can be localised.

882. Atalanta. (Hatchards) 6d.

Especially for young girls, and proposing very useful subjects for competition.

883. Penny Post. (Parker) 1d.

The eldest of all these, and still keeping up its reputation.

884. The Youth’s Companion.

An American weekly published by Perry, 41 Temple Place, Boston. A subscription of 10s. per annum would bring it to England, and it has some of the best reading for young folks that we know.

885. Parish Magazine. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 1d.

The first of all to be localised. Always fairly good.

886. Banner of Faith. (Church Extension Society) 3s. 6d. per volume.

With a strong Church tone. Very spirited. Can be localised.

887. The Gospeller. (Mowbray) 1d.

More decidedly religious reading. Can be localised.

888. The Leisure Hour. Monthly, 6d.; 7s. per volume.

A mixture of tales and information.

889. The Quiver. (Cassell) 6d.

Of the same character. Monthly, and for Sunday reading, and thus containing articles on Holy Scripture.

890. Cassell’s Family Magazine. Monthly, 7d.

Of a more secular but wholesome character, with tales and substantial information.

891. Good Words. (Isbister) 6d.

Commands the ablest writers and comes the nearest to literature. Men are more likely to read it than the others. There is always a religious article or two—‘unsectarian.’

892. The Net. (Bemrose & Sons) 1d.

Valuable as giving vivid accounts of missions.

893. The Gospel Missionary. (Bell) ½d.

Keeping up interest in missions.

894. The Coral Magazine. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 1d.

On the part of the Church Missionary Society.

PENNY READINGS. — POETRY FOR READING OR RECITATION. — COMIC RECITATIONS. — READINGS. — COMIC READINGS.

The foremost counsel to be given to those commencing Penny Readings is to beware of exciting an expectation that all readings and recitations shall be comic. It is probable that a considerable proportion of the audience will enjoy what is adventurous or pathetic; but if the lads, whose prime object is to make a noise, once get into the habit of expecting that everything shall be the occasion of laughing, they will consider themselves defrauded by anything else, and spoil all chance of listening. Even if they come in a civilised mood, a little excitement will set them off, and make them unmanageable all the rest of the time, and habits will set in which will drive the readers at last into mere buffoonery. Drollery is quite expedient, but it should be only just at the end, as a bonne bouche, when the uproariousness which it creates can speedily be worked off out of doors, or else a race of young tyrants will be raised up who will effectually prevent taste from being raised among the audience.

Poetry answers better than prose if well recited or read, and a child is generally rapturously listened to if it can do the thing with spirit and not like a lesson.

895. The Lifeboat, and Other Poems. By George R. Sims. (Fuller) 1s.

The first of these has been known to excite tears where the audience had not been demoralised by overmuch of the comic.

896. The Platelayer. In May Procter’s Poems.

897. The Noble Mercer. By Jean Ingelow.

The story of Winstanley’s lighthouse at the Eddystone. Rather long, but very effective.

898. Brough Bells. By Southey.

The legend of the bells given by John Brunskill to Brough.

899. The Bear and the Goblin. By the Rev. F. Dawson.

To be found in ‘Aunt Charlotte’s Evenings at Home.’ (Marcus Ward) Rather long, but very amusing.

900. George Nidiver. From ‘Society and Solitude.’ (Emerson)

An heroic incident. Also to be found in ‘Aunt Charlotte’s Evenings at Home.’

901. Paul Revere’s Ride. By Longfellow.

A spirited incident of the first American war.

902. Barbara Fritchie. By Whittier.

A heroine of the War of the Secession.

903. Sir Humphrey Gilbert. By Longfellow.

904. King Robert of Sicily. By Longfellow.

905. Loss of the ‘Birkenhead.’ By Sir F. Doyle.

906. George the Triller. By C. M. Yonge. From ‘Book of Golden Deeds.’

The capture and rescue of the two princes of Saxony, ancestors of the Prince Consort.

Some of Lockhart’s ‘Spanish Ballads’ would be liked in some places, and to many the ‘Children in the Wood’ and others of the old English ballads would be new.

907. Bells of Botreaux. By the Rev. R. Hawker.

The bells sunk in the bay just after the captain had pronounced the safe voyage due to his own seamanship.

908. Sir Richard Grenville. By Lord Tennyson.

909. Song of the Shirt. By Hood.

910. Charge of the Light Brigade. By Sir F. Doyle.

Could not this be followed up by singing Tennyson’s Charge?

911. Ballads. By the Rev. F. Langbridge. (Cassell)

Some serious, some comic, well suited for the purpose.

912. The Crocodile King. By Southey.

913. Pairing Time Anticipated. By Cowper.

914. The Distressed Travellers; or, Labour in Vain. By Cowper.

A dialogue. If not in his poems, in Southey’s ‘Life of Cowper;’ also in ‘Aunt Charlotte’s Evenings at Home.’

915. Miss Kilmansegg and Her Golden Leg. By Hood.

If judiciously abridged, this will answer well.

916. The Walrus and the Carpenter. By Lewis Carroll. From ‘Through the Looking-Glass.’

917. The Elephant. In ‘Aunt Charlotte’s Evenings at Home.’

918. The Lady and the Pie. By Hannah More.

A clever and now forgotten fable on curiosity. To be found in H. More’s works.

919. The ‘Anon, Anon, Sir,’ Scene. Shakespeare’s Henry IV., Part I., Act 2, Sc. iv., as far as ‘Enter Vintner.’

Might be read or recited. Two persons visible and one out of sight to call Francis.

920. Hurricane in the West Indies. In Marryat’s ‘Peter Simple.’

921. An Incident in the Pacific.

A wonderful volcanic adventure told in vol. i., p. 142, of ‘Nature and Art,’ a magazine published in 1866 by Day and Son.

922. Wreck of the ‘Magpie.’ In ‘Book of Golden Deeds.’ (See No. 730.)

923. Mary’s Ark. By Bret Harte, in ‘The Luck of Roaring Camp, and other Tales.’

A woman saved on a tree in a flood of the Mississippi.

924. Rab and his Friends. By Dr. John Browne. (Douglas) 6d.

In ‘Remains of Dr. J. Browne.’

925. The Sexton’s Hero. By Mrs. Gaskell. (See No. 656.)

926. Discovery of the Colorado. By Lady Verney. In ‘Real Stories from Many Lands.’ No. 721.

927. Eric’s Grave.

928. Helmsman of Lake Erie.

These two, taken from Neale’s ‘Triumphs of the Cross,’ are also published in one book, price 4d. (See No. 361.)

929. A Saltash Story. (F. M. P.) From the ‘Monthly Packet.’

930. A Night of Terror. From a Christmas Number of the ‘Monthly Packet.’

931. Christmas Tale. By Hesba Stretton. 2d.

The miserly man who kept his hoards in his old trousers.

932. The Ghost at Fantford. By C. M. Yonge. In ‘Byewords.’ (Macmillan) No. 574.

933. Wanted, a Letter Carrier. From the ‘Monthly Packet,’ Christmas Number, 1871.

934. Daniel O’Rourke’s Journey to the Moon.

935. Legend of Knock Grafton.

936. Hill of the Fairy Calf.

937. The Wonderful Tune.

These four are in ‘Croker’s Fairy Legends,’ republished by Swan Sonnenschein. Some of the stories in ‘Uncle Remus.’

938. Black Poodle. By F. Anstey. No. II. of ‘Longman’s Magazine.’

939. Tom Tumbletoes and the Cow. From the ‘Monthly Packet,’ V. 1st series. (Walter Smith)

940. A Yorkshire Butcher. By the Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould. In ‘Yorkshire Oddities,’ p. 139. (Hodges)

941. The Queen of the Dentists. By the Rev. S. Baring-Gould. In ‘Just One More Tale.’ (Skeffington) 3s. 6d.

942. Wow Wow. By the Rev. S. Baring-Gould. In ‘Just One More Tale.’ (Skeffington) 3s. 6d.

943. The Two Bulls. By Mrs. Beecher Stowe. In ‘Old Town Stories.’ (Sampson Low)

944. Calf Reared on Sawdust.

945. Been in the Omnibus.

946. The Old Sow.

947. The Bewitched Boots. All these four are in ‘The Boy with an Idea.’ No. 138.

948. The Colonel’s Fall. By F. M. Peard. In ‘Princess Alethea.’ (Smith, Elder, & Co.)

A gentleman, who, finding his own house deserted on his return from a journey, tries to get in by a window, falls into the water-butt, and is taken for a burglar.

949. Pay your Debt; or, Jack Colquhoun.

950. The Enchanted Sledge.

Anyone who chances to possess the first year’s volume of ‘Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal,’ 1838, will find these two capital stories, the one in No. 25, the other in No. 19. A good many years later there was an excellent bit about a stork brought home from the London Docks in a cab—about 1855.

951. The Abstraction. In ‘Hood’s Comic Annual for 1833.’

Many more readings may be found in these annuals by anyone who can disinter them.

952. A Fearful Rebuke.

953. Through the Telescope.

These two are in ‘Queer People,’ vol. i. Translated from the Swedish. (Allen)

954. The Baby with Two Grandfathers. From ‘Mary Barton.’ (See No. 551.)

955. Lady Dumbleton’s Pig. Christmas Number ‘Monthly Packet.’

INDEX.

• Abbey by the Sea, the, 66
• Abbot, the, 434
• Abstraction, the, 951
• Across the Pampas, 732
• Acts of the Deacons, 315
• Address to Women, 635
• Adventurous Voyage of the ‘Polly,’ the, 164
• Afloat, 593
• Against the Stream, 485
• Agathos, 336
• Alfgar the Dane, 382
• Alice in Wonderland, 582
• All the Russias, 686
• Alone among the Zulus, 676
• Alone in Crowds, 110
• Ambition of Kate Hicks, 87
• Among the Stars, 849
• Andersen’s Fairy Tales, 578
• ‘Anon, Anon, Sir,’ Scene, 919
• Anson’s Voyages, 733
• Apples and Oranges, 840
• Apple Tree, 15
• Arabian Nights, 581
• Armourer’s Prentices, 421
• Around and about Old England, 737
• Ascott Hope’s Tales, 134
• Assyria, 322
• Atalanta, 882
• Aunt Charlotte’s Histories, 760-66
• Aunt Judy’s Tales, 221
• Aunt Judy’s Letters, 222
• Aunt Kezia’s Will, 595
• Aunt Sally’s History, 223
• Australia, 715
• Austria, 711
• Autocrat of the Nursery, the, 204
• Babylonia, 323
• Babylonian Life and History, 330
• Baby’s Album, 2
• Baby’s Prayerbook, 60
• Baby with Two Grandfathers, the, 954
• Ballads, 911
• Ballantyne’s Tales, 158
• Banner of Faith, 886
• Barbara Fritchie, 902
• Bear and Forbear, 112
• Bear, the, and the Goblin, 899
• Bearing the Yoke, 616
• Beautiful Face, the, 53, 356
• Bede’s Charity, 621
• Been in the Omnibus, 945
• Beleaguered City, a, 360
• Bells of Botreaux, 907
• Benedicite, 270
• Ben Sylvester’s Word, 55, 145
• Betrothed, the, 390
• Beyond the Himalayas, 171
• Bewitched Boots, the, 947
• Bilihild, 370
• Biographies of Good Women, 803
• Birds’ Nests and Eggs, 832
• Bird Songs and Bird Pictures, 833
• Birthday, 183
• Bits of Talk on Home Matters, 644
• Black and White, 660
• Black Coppice, the, 632
• Black Poodle, 938
• Blind Man’s Holiday, 232
• Blue Ribbons, the, 80, 503
• Book of Golden Deeds, 730
• Book of Worthies, 802
• Botany Reading Books, 837
• Boy Bishop, 409
• Boys, 261
• Boys and Girls, 201
• Boy’s Own Paper, 879
• Boy with an Idea, 138
• Brave Dame Mary, 452
• Brave Days of Old, 725
• Brave Men of Eyam, 462
• Bride Picotée, 523
• Bright Farthing, 33
• Broken Walls, the, 285
• Brothers in Arms, 489
• Brough Bells, 898
• Bully Brindle, 19
• Burnt Out, 594
• By Fire and Sword, 502
• By Northern Seas, 573
• Byewords, 574
• Caged Lion, the, 148, 410
• Cairnforth and Sons, 524
• Calf Reared on Sawdust, 944
• Camp Fire and the Wigwam, the, 127
• Camp of Refuge, 386
• Camp on the Severn, 378
• Carbridges, the, 532
• Carry’s Rose, 237
• Carved Cartoon, 84, 461
• Castaways in the Wilds of Borneo, the, 173
• Cassell’s Family Magazine, 890
• Castle Blair, 224
• Castle Builders, 256
• Castle Dangerous, 398
• Cat and her Cousins, 827
• Catharine and Crawfurd Tait, 653
• Cawnpore, 774
• Champion of Odin, 384
• Chaplet of Pearls, 497
• Chapters on the Te Deum, 279
• Charge of the Light Brigade, 910
• Charles Harvey’s Difficulties, 269
• Chats about Germany, 688
• Chatterbox, 875
• Cheap Jack, 45
• Child Life in Chinese Homes, 701
• Children of Africa, the, 702
• Children of the Church, 252, 274
• Children of the New Forest, 458
• Children’s Album, 1
• Children of Westminster Abbey, 769
• Children on the Plains, the, 72
• Children’s Pictorial, 872
• Child’s Pilgrimage, the, 359
• Child Samuel, the, 292
• Child’s Companion, 874
• Chimney Corner, 639
• Chips from the Earth’s Crust, 856
• Christmas Mummers, the, 26
• Christmas Tale, 931
• Christopher, 518
• Chosen People, 287
• Church Doctrine and Bible Truths, 859
• Church Echoes, 264
• Church History (Crake), 814
• Church History (Neale), 810
• Church History, Student’s (Smith), 816
• Citizen Reader, 773
• City Violet, 50
• Clare Avery, 437
• Clare Saville, 483
• Clary’s Confirmation, 255
• Cobden, Life of, 783
• Colonel’s Fall, the, 948
• Combatants, the, 343
• Coming, 357
• Conquering and to Conquer, 369
• Constant Prince, 491
• Copsley Annals, 97, 613
• Coral Magazine, the, 894
• Cottage Next Door, 601
• Countess Kate and Stokesley Secret, 205
• Country Maidens, 560
• Courage and Cowards, 203
• Crofton Boys, the, 135
• Crocodile King, 912
• Cruise of the ‘Bonny Kate,’ 439
• Cruise of Ulysses and his Men, 515
• Cushions and Corners, 231
• Daddy Dick, 619
• Daddy Darwin’s Dovecote, 218
• Daisy Chain, 539
• Dandy, 54
• Daniel O’Rourke’s Journey to the Moon, 934
• Daniel, Statesman and Prophet, 309
• Danvers Papers, 468
• Daring and Doing, 726
• Dark River, 341
• Daughter of the Regiment, 73
• David’s Life as seen in the Psalms, 293
• Dawn of Day, 881
• Decima’s Promise, 185
• Denmark, 707
• Denmark, Story of, 745
• Devon Boys, 169
• Diamond Rose, the, 564
• Diary of Kitty Trevelyan, 477
• Dickens, Life of Charles, 776
• Distant Hills, 339
• Discovery of the Colorado, 926
• Distressed Travellers, the, 914
• Dog and his Cousins, 828
• Dog’s Mission, a, 590
• Dora and Nora, 236
• Dora, Sister, Life of, 793
• Dorothy Forster, 472
• Dorothy’s Daughters, 563
• Dorothy’s Venture, 456
• Dove in the Eagle’s Nest, 492
• Down the Snow Stairs, 589
• Draytons and the Davenants, 448
• Dr. Ox’s Experiment, 143
• Dust Ho!, 672
• Earl Hubert’s Daughter, 394
• Earl Printer, the, 418
• Earl’s Daughter, 544
• Early English Voyagers, 703
• Earnest Appeal to Mothers, 636
• Earth’s Many Voices, 352
• Earth to the Moon, the, 141
• Eastern Manners and Customs, 321
• Eastern Wonderland, the, 695
• Edgeworth’s Tales, 225
• Edwy the Fair, 381
• Effie and her Ayah, 674
• Egypt, 324, 706
• Egypt and Nubia, 739
• Egyptian Wanderers, 367
• Eighteen Centuries of Church History, 811
• Eldad the Pilgrim, 311
• Elder Sister, an, 664, 795
• Elephant, 917
• Elisha the Prophet, 304
• Ella’s Mistake, 202
• Elly’s Choice, 200
• Emilia Wyndham, 562
• Empty House, an, 620
• Enchanted Sledge, the, 950
• Engine-driving Life, 852
• England, 748, 753
• England, Lectures on History of, 767
• English Church History, 815, 818
• English Squire, an, 557
• Ephrem and Helah, 312
• Epochs of Church History, 817
• Eric’s Grave, 927
• Espérance, 495
• Exiles of the Cevenna, 374
• Exodus and Wanderings in the Wilderness, the, 296
• Experience of Life, 547
• Fair Maid of Perth, 408
• Fairy Book, 576
• Fairy Legends of the South of Ireland, 585
• Fall of Jerusalem, the, 317
• Fanny’s Doll, 12
• Fanny Sylvester, 18
• Farm of Aptonga, the, 377
• Fate of the ‘Black Swan,’ 121
• Father Phim, 233
• Fearful Rebuke, a, 952
• Feats on the Fiord, 68
• Few Good Women, a, 806
• Few Words to Mothers, 637
• Field, Life of Bishop, 670
• Final Reckoning, the, 170
• Five Pounds Reward, 211
• Five Thousand Pounds, 631
• Five Weeks in a Balloon, 142
• Followers of the Lord, 363
• Follow the Leader, 136
• Footsteps in the Forest, 129
• For and Against, 416
• For Faith and Fatherland, 496
• For Half-a-Crown, 114, 628
• For Queen and King, 440
• For the Master’s Sake, 430
• For Fortune and Glory, 151
• Fortunes of Hassan, 122
• Fortunes of Nigel, 441
• Four Winds Farm, 588
• France, 708, 749
• Franklin, Life of, 782
• Frank Redcliffe, 174
• Frank’s Debt, 146
• French Prisoners, 131
• Friarswood Post Office, 90
• Friends till Death, 622
• Froggy’s Little Brother, 48
• From Log Cabin to White House, 799
• From over the Water, 520
• From Tan Yard to White House, 800
• Gabriel Vaughan, 567
• Gate of Paradise, the, 349
• Gaudentius, 365
• Gentleman Jim, 558
• George Nidiver, 900
• George the Triller, 906
• Germany, 705, 750
• Gertrude, 548
• Ghost of Greythorn Manor, the, 69
• Ghost at Fantford, the, 932
• Giant Killer, the, 111
• Giants and How to Fight Them, the, 347
• Girls, 262
• Girls of Flaxby, 92
• Girl’s Own Paper, 880
• Glimpses of Maori Land, 682
• Glimpses of South America, 692
• Godmother’s Whim, 31
• Golden Gorse, 23
• Golden Horse Shoes, 402
• Golden Thread, 67, 354
• Goldhanger Woods, 99
• Good King Wenceslas, 487
• Good Old Days, 432
• Good Ship Barbara, the, 123
• Good Words, 891
• Gordon, General, Life of, 775
• Gospeller, the, 887
• Gospel Missionary, 893
• Gospel of the Childhood, 314
• Gospel Story, 313
• Gran, 630
• Grannie’s Wardrobe, 34
• Great Orion, the, 163
• Great Treason, a, 479
• Great Waterfalls, 718
• Greece, 712, 754
• Greek Cities, 325
• Greek Hero Stories, 513
• Grey House on the Hill, the, 88
• Griffinhoof, 525
• Grimm’s Fairy Tales, 577
• Grumble, 182
• Guide, Philosopher, and Friend, 533
• Half-hours at Mothers’ Meetings, 638
• Hanbury Mills, 536
• Handel, Life of, 784
• Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates, 81
• Harold, 385
• Harriet and her Sister, 37
• Harry and Archie, 149, 254
• Harry’s Discipline, 603
• Havelock, Life of, 779
• Heart Chords, 869
• Heartsease, 538
• Heart Service, 212
• Heavy Sixpence, the, 24
• Heir of Redclyffe, 537
• Helena’s Household, 364
• Helmsman of Lake Erie, 928
• Helpful Sam, 52
• Henrietta’s Wish, 194
• Her Majesty’s Bear, 431
• Herb of the Field, 839
• Hereward, the Last of the English, 387
• Hermy, the Story of a Little Girl, 177
• Hero, A: Philip’s Book, 159
• Heroes, 510
• Heroes of Asgard, 514
• Heroes of Hebrew History, 305
• Heroes of the Arctic and their Adventures, 731
• Heroine of a Basket Van, the, 626
• Heroes of the Indian Empire, 807
• Heroism and Adventure, 728
• Her Title of Honour, 534
• Hidden Homes, 831
• High and Lowly, 627
• Hill of the Fairy Calf, 936
• History of the Kingdom of Judah, the, 294
• History of the Prayer-Book, 271
• History of the Early Church, 808
• Holland, 746
• Holy Living and Dying, 861
• Home and School, 214
• Homes Made and Marred, 623
• Homes of the Birds, 834
• Homes under the Ground, 845
• Homes Without Hands, 830
• Home Workers for Foreign Missions, 659
• Hope of the Katzekopfs, 579
• Household of Sir Thomas More, the, 422
• Household Theology, 867
• House of Israel, 283
• House of the Little Wizard, the, 98
• How they were Caught in a Trap, 484
• How to be Well, 647
• Huc’s Life and Travels in Tartary, 738
• Humboldt’s Life, 788
• Hurricane in the West Indies, 920
• Iceland, 747
• Idle Harry, 13
• I must Keep the Chimes Going, 89
• In all Time of our Tribulation, 399
• Incident in the Pacific, 921
• Innocent, an, 610
• In Quest of Gold, 137
• In the Bush and on the Trail, 167
• In the Golden Days, 464
• In the Land of the Bear, the Moose, and the Beaver, 166
• In the Marsh, 186
• In the Olden Time, 494
• In the Polar Regions, 697
• In the Temperate Regions, 698
• In the Tropical Regions, 699
• In Time of War, 509
• Ireland, History of, 758
• Isabeau’s Hero, 501
• Isoult Barry, 429
• Island Queen, the, 119
• Israel under Joshua and the Judges, 297
• Israel under Samuel, Saul, and David, 298
• Israel and Judah, from Solomon to Ahab, 299
• Israel and Judah, from Ahab to the Decline of the Two Kingdoms, 300
• Israel and Judah, from Joash to Zedekiah, 301
• It’s his Way, 62
• Ivanhoe, 392
• Ivo and Verena, 85
• Jackanapes, 153
• Janet’s Home, 553
• Jan of the Mill, 217
• Japan, 709
• Jasmine Lee, 565
• Jeanie Gordon, 257
• Jerusalem and its Environs, 334
• Jenny and the Insects, 836
• John de Wickliffe, 405
• John Inglesant, 449
• Jolly Fellowship, a, 719
• Journal of Lady Beatrix Graham, 447
• Journey Home, 345
• Judas Maccabæus, 310
• Judæa and her Rulers, 307
• Judged by Appearances, 445
• Kane, Dr., Life of, 787
• Katharine Ashton, 545
• Keeping the Vow, 550
• Kenilworth, 433
• Kenneth, 506
• Kingdom of Judah, 284
• King of a Day, 490
• King Robert of Sicily, 904
• Kingsley, Charles, Life of, 790
• King’s Namesake, 450
• Kingston’s Tales, 157
• Klatsassan, 683
• Knevets, the, 423
• Knight’s Ransom, the, 389
• Laddie, 596
• Lady, the, and the Pie, 918
• Lady Betty, 473
• Lady Betty’s Governess, 442
• Lady Brassey’s Voyage in ‘Sunbeam,’ 735
• Lady Dumbleton’s Pig, 955
• Lady of the Lake, 424
• Lady Sybil’s Choice, 388
• Lake Regions of Central Africa, 172
• Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare, 438
• Lances of Lynwood, 403
• Land of the Pyramids, 694
• Land of Temples, 690
• Laneton Parsonage, 180, 245, 259
• Langdales of Langdale End, 176
• Langley Adventures, 29
• Langley Lads and Lasses, 28, 93
• Langley Little Ones, 5
• Langley School, 27
• Lapsed, not Lost, 366
• Last of the Barons, 417
• Last of the Cavaliers, 466
• Last Years of our Lord’s Ministry, 860
• Launch of the Victory, 238
• Lazar House of Leros, the, 376
• Leal Light Heart, a, 526
• Lectures on Health, 646
• Legend of Knock Grafton, 935
• Legend of Montrose, 446
• Leila, or the Island, 74
• Leisure Hour, 888
• Lent Legends, 362
• Leonard the Lion Heart, 14
• Lessons taught by Dumb Animals, 835
• Letters from an Unknown Friend, 280, 634
• Letters from Egypt, 704
• Lifeboat, the, and other Poems, 895
• Life of Henrietta Robertson, 662
• Light of Conscience, the, 858
• Light Princess, the, 586
• Lights and Shadows of Church History, 819
• Like his own Daughter, 530
• Lincoln, Abraham, Life of, 780
• Linen-room Window, 241
• Lion Battalion, 21, 604
• Lionel Lincoln, 480
• Little Alice and her Sister, 192
• Little Blue Lady, 499
• Little Brown Girl, 188
• Little Camp on Eagle Hill, 251
• Little Duke, 147, 488
• Little Folks, 876
• Little Hinges, 76
• Little Jeanneton’s Work, 106
• Little Lame Prince, the, 587
• Little Lives and a Great Love, 51
• Little Lucy’s Wonderful Globe, 700
• Little May and her friend Conscience, 56
• Little Meg’s Children, 49, 605
• Little Men and Little Women, 7
• Little One’s Own Picture Paper, 870
• Little Susy’s Six Birthdays, 17
• Little Rosa, 70
• Little Step-daughter, a, 109
• Little Tija, 675
• Livingstone, Life of, 781
• Lob Lie by the Fire, 215
• Lord Mayor, 406
• Lord of the Isles, 397
• Lord of the Forest, 355
• Lord of the Marches, 407
• Loss of the ‘Birkenhead,’ 905
• Lost in Egypt, 79
• Lost in the Backwoods, 130
• Lost Trail, 128
• Louie White’s Hop-picking, 20
• Lowder, Charles, Life of, 791
• Lucia’s Marriage, 375
• Lucy and Christian Wainwright, 531
• Lucy’s Campaign, 474
• Lutaniste of St. Jacobi’s, 522
• Madam How and Lady Why, 850
• Madeleine, 566
• Mademoiselle Mori, 508
• Maggie Preece, 260
• Magnum Bonum, 543
• Magpie’s Nest, the, 71
• Maiden of our Own Day, a, 569
• Maidens’ Lodge, 469
• Making of the Home, the, 649
• Malvern Chase, 419
• Man on the Top of the Ark, 353, 652
• Margery’s Son, 414
• Mark Willis, 175
• Marmion, 425
• Marty and the Mite Boxes, 105
• Mary and Florence, 46
• Mary Barton, 551, 658
• Mary Powell, 444
• Mary’s Ark, 923
• Masterman Ready, 118
• Master Missionaries, 673
• Max Krömer, 78, 505
• May Cunningham’s Trial, 227
• Meg’s Mistake, 599
• Michael the Chorister, 32
• Millar, a Mollar, 11
• Mine Own People, 535
• Miss Angelina, 3
• Miss Fenwick’s Failures, 178
• Miss Kilmansegg, 915
• Mission Work in British Guiana, 680
• Mistress Margery, 412
• Mistress Mary, 235
• Missy and Master, 25
• Mitslav, 371
• Moorland Cottage, the, 552
• More, Hannah, Life of, 801
• Mother Molly, 481
• Mother Church, the, 809
• Mount Sinai and Petra, 328
• Mrs. Blackett’s Story, 614
• Mr. Burke’s Nieces, 75
• Mrs. Gaskell’s Tales, 654-58
• Mrs. Poynter’s Missionary Box, 677
• Mutiny on the ‘Albatross,’ 154
• My Great Aunt’s Cat, 100
• My Little Patient, 612
• My Lonely Lassie, 527
• Mysterious Island, the, 140
• My Two Years in an Indian Mission, 678
• My Sunday Friend, 877
• Narcissus, 368
• Nations Around, 290
• Nature’s Wonders, 854
• Near Relation, a, 556
• Ned in the Blockhouse, 124
• Ned on the River, 126
• Ned in the Woods, 125
• Nelson, Life of, 797
• Net, the, 892
• New Ground, 668
• New Honours, 234
• New Zealand, 691
• Nightingale, Florence, Life of, 778
• Night of Terror, a, 930
• Nimpo’s Troubles, 108
• Nimrod Nunn, 155
• Nineveh and its History, 329
• Nine Years Old, 191
• Noble Life, a, 549
• Northope Cave, 63
• Noble Mercer, the, 897
• North Wind and Sunshine, 210
• Norway, Story of, 742
• Notable Workers in Humble Life, 804
• Not for Him, 400
• Number Thirteen, 379
• Number One; Brighton Street, 277
• Oberlin, Life of, 796
• Oak Staircase, the, 82, 467
• Oldbury, 554
• Old-fashioned Fairy Tales, 580
• Old Garden Door, the, 42
• Old Greek Stories, 516
• Old House in the Square, 209
• Old Man’s Home, 340
• Old Sow, the, 946
• On Angels’ Wings, 65
• On Board the ‘Esmeralda,’ 152
• One of a Covey, 197
• One Year, 555
• On Honour’s Roll, 727
• Only a Tramp, 275
• Our Dogs, 823
• Our Ethel, 6
• Our Maoris, 665
• Our Mother Church, 273
• Our Navvies, 685
• Outdoor Common Birds, 822
• Pairing Time Anticipated, 913
• Pamela’s Bequest, 592
• Parables from Nature, 351
• Parables of Our Lord, 281
• Parish Magazine, 885
• Pat, 228
• Patz and Putz, 9
• Paul Howard’s Captivity, 161
• Paul Revere’s Ride, 901
• Pay your Debt, 949
• Peasant Boy Philosopher, 805
• Peep Behind the Scenes, 107
• Peeps into China, 696
• Peggy and other Tales, 86
• Penny Post, 883
• Peril and Adventure, 723
• Perils of the Deep, 722
• Persia, 326
• Personal Religion, 865
• Peru, 714
• Peveril of the Peak, 463
• Phantom Picture, the, 239
• Philip Augustus, 393
• Phil’s Mother, 199
• Pickle and his Page Boy, 30, 150
• Pictures of Cottage Life, 600
• Pictures of the Heavens, 847
• Pigeon Pie, the, 453
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FRANK REDCLIFFE. A Story of Travel and Adventure in the Forests of Venezuela. A Book for Boys. By Achilles Daunt, Author of “The Three Trappers,” &c. With numerous Illustrations. Post 8vo. cloth extra, price 3s. 6d.

ADVENTUROUS BOAT VOYAGES. By Robert Richardson, Author of “Ralph’s Year in Russia,” “Almost a Hero,” &c. With Fifteen Illustrations. Post 8vo. cloth extra, price 3s.

NOBLE WOMEN OF OUR TIME. By Joseph Johnson, Author of “Living in Earnest,” &c. With Accounts of the Work of Misses De Broën, Whately, Carpenter, F. R. Havergal, Macpherson, Sister Dora, &c. Post 8vo. cloth extra, price 3s. 6d.

ADA AND GERTY; or, Hand in Hand Heavenward. A Story of School Life. By Louisa M. Gray. Post 8vo. cloth extra, gilt edges, price 3s. 6d.

A touching story of two girls, giving an interesting account of their education and school experiences.

CHANGED SCENES; or, The Castle and the Cottage. By Lady Hope, Author of “Our Coffee House,” “A Maiden’s Work,” “Sunny Footsteps,” &c. Post 8vo. cloth extra, price 2s. 6d.