  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 |
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