A Baronitess junior sends word from the children's quarters that _Your
Fortune and Character_ is an amusing game, told by WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE,
but published by JOHN JAQUES & CO.--evidently not a descendant of the
"melancholy JAQUES," for he would have "rail'd on Lady Fortune in good
terms" had the game been at his expense.
Massa BLACKIE & SON send in a story by G. A. HENTY, always so
Hentytaining, entitled _When London Burned_. We all ken that when Rome
burned NERO fiddled, but this hero--not an 'ero--had every opportunity
of extinguishing--my Baronite means "distinguishing himself;" and our
cavalier availed himself, after many other wondrous episodes, to rush
with warm enthusiasm to throw cold water on this enlightenment of
London. Needless to remark, he came scatheless through the fire!
_From Snowdon to the Sea_, by MARIE TREVELYAN, shows us Wales in the
days of _Merlin_ and mythical superstitions, likewise of queer doings
on the part of bold, bad buccaneers, in whom we seem to trace something
of the origin of the modern Welsher.
A perfect black and white school romance is continued in _My Lost
Manuscript_, by MAGGIE SYMINGTON (WELLS, GARDNER AND DARTON).
Evidently this youthful writer had not read the wise counsels conveyed
in a manual _On the Art of Writing Fiction_ (brought out by same
publishers), or so much ink would not have been wasted. "After perusing
this cheery little book, the much encouraged aspirant," quoth our
Baronitess with a sigh, "for literary fame, will promptly lay down the
pen and write no more." Good news for the editors.
MISS BRADDON, in her delightful story _Christmas Hirelings_ (SIMPKINS,
MARSHALL & CO.), hits upon a novel suggestion for those folks who
don't know how to keep the festive season as it should be kept. Away
flies boredom! How? I will not reveal the secret, but if any nicely
suppressed little children possess an average Scrooge-like relative,
take my advice, and present him with this book. The result will be
more than even a child's dream can anticipate. Rather powder in
jam to boys will be _The Battle of Frogs and Mice_, by JANE BARLOW
(METHUEN), who is evidently a distant connection of the immortal _Mr.
Barlow_, with so much kind thought for youthful learning. It may be
Greek to many who have but a dim, far-off knowledge of the first great
burlesque writer: but this his book will bring it all Homer again to
us. Quite a relief to turn to our dear _Nonsense Songs and Stories_, by
EDWARD LEAR (FREDERICK WARNE & CO.) Vague yellow undulating pessimism
notwithstanding, how pleasant is real good nonsense! And even the
fairy story cannot be crushed by our juggernaut modern science, than
which the imaginative impossible, as in _Thought Fairies_, by HELEN
WATERS, and in the _Seven Imps_, by KATHLEEN WALLIS, is so much more
attractive to youthful brains. Both books issued by DIGBY, LONG, & CO.,
and wise of them to do so. MACMILLANS issue a splendid new edition of
the wonderful _Gulliver's Travels_, with over a hundred illustrations
by CHARLES E. BROCK, which ought to make the book go off like BROCK'S
fireworks. Its very warm cover suggests a seasonable book, _A Righte
Merrie Christmasse_, by JOHN ASHTON (_Leadenhall Press_), who, fancying
that some of its customs and privileges might be forgotten, collects
all that has been done or could be done at this annual event. Some
of ye anciente goinges on make one wonder whether feasts were better
kept when they spelt with such unreasonable euphony. It must have been
"merrie in halle" when the wassail song was ordinarily sung as depicted
by A. C. BEHREND in his exquisite copper etching.
_London Society_ is peculiarly bright and cheerful this Yuletide, and
keeps up its excellent reputation. A good medley is _London Society_.
And here is a very bright little _Woman_ this Christmastide. Quite a
festive party with her capital stories and supplement of "Types of the
World's Women." Just "Woman, lovely woman" in all styles and shades.
Without being more vain than any other average islander, one feels
grateful for belonging to the British group--no offence to the other
ladies, to whom we take off our hat, and, whilst including the rest,
salute advancing _Woman_. "And it is this New _Woman_, not _the_ New
Woman of the period, whom," quoth the Baron, "I salute with pleasure,"
and to whom he wishes a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year, and
signs himself