Christmas leaves? Would you pick up the handsomest ones,
First look at these scattered by BLACKIE & SONS.
Here tales of home life and adventure in plenty,
Have good names to vouch for them. Take G. A. HENTY,
In "Bonnie Prince Charlie" and "Orange and Green,"
He lays first in Scotland, then Ireland his scene,
And thrills you with reading the hairbreadth escapes,
Of the heroes he rescues from numberless scrapes.
But while in "For the Temple," he ventures to tell
How in ages long past great Jerusalem fell;
Yet if less ancient horrors are more to your mind,
In the reign of the "Terror" material you'll find;
And if you would learn how pluck never goes wrong,
You've but to go straightway to "Sturdy and Strong."
Next ELIZABETH LYSAGHT in "Aunt Hesba's Charge,"
On the virtues of old Maiden Aunts doth enlarge,
And relates in "Our General" by a small head,
How a family through all its trials may be led.
Then J. PERCY GROVES in "The War of the Axe,"
Tells a stirring Cape story of Caffre attacks,
And "The Seven Wise Scholars" supply ASCOTT R. HOPE,
For knocking off seven good tales, ample scope,
He in "Old Renown" stories, too, brilliantly writes
Of the deeds done of old by brave heroes and knights;
While E. BROOKES harking back with his "Chivalric Days,"
Of the boys and the girls of old times sings the praise.
"Girl Neighbours," allows SARAH TYTLER to say,
On the whole she prefers the girl of the day;
In "Miss Willowbrown's Offer," how traitors may fail,
SARAH DOWDNEY describes in a well-written tale.
With "The Babbling Teapot," to a little girl changed,
Mrs. CHAMPNEY has well into Wonderland ranged.
Out of "Willie," who here "Gutta Percha" is named,
GEORGE MACDONALD, an excellent story has framed,
And has shown how he finds life's troubles prove plastic,
Possessing a brain which his friends deem elastic.
In "The Princess" and "Goblin" he tries a new scheme,
And sweeps you along with his mystical theme;
But when she meets "Curdie" he now and then treads
On ground that is over his young readers' heads.
If a truant's adventures, fair reading you find,
The good ship "Atalanta," you'd bear in your mind,
And you'll follow "aboard" it, the hero whose fate
HENRY FRITH'S thrilling pages know how to relate.
Next in "Chirp and Chatter" from field and from tree,
Young children taught lessons by L. BANKS you'll see.
"Queen Maud," with her "orders" by LOUISA CROW,
Shows pride in a haughty young maiden brought low:
While in the "Squire's Grandson," J. CALLWELL proves how
A small boy can make up a family row.
The stories of WASA and MENZIKOFF tell
Two historical tales, and do it right well.
In his "Dick o' the Fens," one Fen,--MANVILLE FENN,--
Gives some capital studies of Lincolnshire men;
But in "Sir Walter's Ward," the age of Crusades,
Mr. WILLIAM EVERARD brightly invades.
The "Girlhood" of "Margery Merton" relates,
The struggle that oft a young artist awaits,
And how in the end her brave efforts prevail,
ALICE CORKRAN unfolds in her well-written tale.
And if "Clogs," well selected for children to wear,
You're in need, AMY WALTON will find you "a pair."
If the "Secret" of "Rovers" is more to your taste,
HARRY COLLINGWOOD follow,--your time you'll not waste.
In field, forest, or stream, would you "Insect Ways" learn,
For their "Summer Day's" life to J. HUMPHREYS turn.
But to close:--GORDON BROWNE, whose famed pencil so skilled,
Of the foregoing pages so many has filled,
Crowns the whole by contributing last, but not least,
His new "Hop o' my Thumb" and "The Beauty and Beast."