Chapter X: Appendix: Declaration of Independence; The Constitution of the United (3)

It will be seen that the material in these annuals is of the best, which could not fail to be the case when prepared by such writers as Arthur Gilman, Sarah K. Bolton, Dr. D.A. Sargent, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, Margaret J. Preston, Amanda B. Harris, Dr. Felix L. Oswald, Ernest Ingersoll, and others of equal repute. The present volume contains seven series of articles, with numerous choice illustrations. Published in quarto size, handsome cloth binding, and sent to any address for $1.50.

YOUNG FOLKS' STORIES OF FOREIGN LANDS. Edited by Pansy. Illustrated. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. Price, $1.00. Little folks who have never been abroad will find ample compensation for their loss if they can only turn over the pages of this beautifully illustrated book of stories of travel. There is hardly a country but is represented either by picture or poem or story, and the contents will be a source of perpetual pleasure for young readers.

YOUNG FOLKS' STORIES OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND HOME LIFE. Edited by "Pansy." Illustrated. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. Price, $1.00. The two writers who have done the most to make this charming book of stories what it is, are Mrs. Alden and Margaret Sidney, and what more need be said in its praise? The title describes the scope and character of the stories, but it gives no idea of the attractive manner in which they are written or illustrated. When a visit is made by the boys and girls to the bookstores, we advise a careful examination of the volume.

ON THE WAY TO WONDERLAND. Illustrated. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. Price, $1.25. The bright colors of this unique book, and the sound of its rhymes chanted by mamma, will captivate the eye and ear of the babies, whose own book it is. It contains the stories in rhyme of Wee Willie Winkie, Little Bo-Peep, Goody Two Shoes, The Beggar King, Jack and Jill, and Banbury Cross, all gorgeously illustrated.

THE STORY OF THE MANUSCRIPTS. In this interesting and scholarly volume Rev. George E. Merrill, D.D., gives the whole story of the preparation and preservation of the various Scriptural books, a record which will be read with interest not only by Biblical scholars, but by many others to whom the main facts are unknown. The manuscripts were originally written on papyrus, numerous copies being made in the early centuries, but in the various persecutions of the Christians a great number of the manuscripts were wantonly destroyed. In the reign of Diocletian, in the fourth century, there were nine years of persecution, and few of the original copies were left intact. Great value attaches to even such manuscript transcripts as were made after the originals, and they are carefully preserved in various libraries all over Europe. Some of these are upon vellum, showing their great age. The closing chapter of the book is devoted to a summing up of the opinions of the great critics on the history and credibility of the New Testament manuscripts.

As a record of facts bearing upon the history, authenticity and interpretation of the New Testament Scriptures, this work is invaluable, and no theological library is complete without it. Information upon the subjects treated equally comprehensive can be found in no other form so easily accessible and at so little cost. 12mo. $1.00.

WIDE AWAKE PLEASURE BOOK, Q. Illustrated. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. Price $1.50. Another volume in the charming set of books for girls and boys, and we might almost say for men and women, for grown people take as much delight in their pages as the younger ones. It is no disparagement to the former issues to say that the present one surpasses them, for progress is the rule of its publishers, and the endeavor to do things better grows more and more decided every year. The Pleasure Book for 1884 contains stories by a score of the most popular writers of the day, sketches of life and character, bits of biography and history, narratives of travel, poems, charades, music, puzzles, etc. Its pages are enriched with hundreds of illustrations, drawn and engraved expressly for its pages, making text and engravings together, one of the choicest juvenile annuals issued by any publishing firm in the country.

A FAMILY FLIGHT AROUND HOME. By Rev. E.E. Hale and Susan Hale. Illustrated. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. Price, $2.50. To those who have already made acquaintance with the former books of this series no word of praise of the present volume is necessary. It is animated by the same spirit, and prepared according to the same plan, and characterized by the same bright, sharp way of putting things. Although it is not dependent upon either of its predecessors, its characters are the same, and the reader has few new acquaintances to make. Of course the Horners are the central figures. The scene opens in Boston, or rather in East Boston, at the wharves of the Cunard Steamship Company, where Mr. Horner and Tom meet Hubert Vaughan, who, the reader will remember, was left behind in Europe at the close of the preceding volume. On his arrival they proceeded to the Hotel Vendôme, where Miss Lejeune is awaiting them, and the next day the party start for Mr. Horner's old home in Northern Vermont. Here, and in the country surrounding, the larger part of the summer is spent, the young people making excursions in all directions, taking in Lake Champlain, with all its historical and romantic surroundings: the Adirondack region, Lake George, and Schroon Lake, besides enjoying themselves nearer home in fishing and camping out. Into the story of their experience and adventures the authors weave a great deal of interesting local history, and in such a manner as to make a strong impression upon the mind of young readers. The volume is brought out in the same elegant form as its predecessors, with the same clear handsome pages and same wealth of illustration. The well-known reputation of the authors, the racy and unconventional style of the narrative and the superb manner in which the publishers have performed their part of the work, places the volume in the very front rank of the choice illustrated books of the season.

ODE: INTIMATIONS OF IMMORTALITY. By William Wordsworth. Illustrated. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. Price $2.00. This beautiful volume challenges comparison with any of the medium priced presentation books of the year. The poem itself Is one of the most perfect in the language, while the full page illustrations which accompany it represent the most exquisite work of such artists as F.C. Hassam, Lungren, Miss L.B. Humphrey, W.L. Taylor, W. John Harper and Smedley. Nothing has been left undone to make a perfect book. The paper is of the finest, the print beautifully clear, and the broad margin and elegant binding make it altogether a volume winch will attract the eye, and satisfy the artistic taste of the book-buying public.

MONEY IN POLITICS. By J.K. Upton, with an Introduction by Edward Atkinson, Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. $1.25. Mr. Upton, as many readers know, was for some years assistant Secretary of the Treasury, and, as a consequence, has a thorough understanding of the subject upon which he writes. His book is a complete history of American coinage and money issues, the management of national monetary affairs, and the different legal tender acts that have been discussed or passed by Congress. Mr. Atkinson, in his introduction, says of the book that it gives, in his judgment, the best record of legislation in the United States yet presented in regard to coinage, to legal tender acts, and other matters connected with our financial history. It shows in the most conclusive manner the futility of all attempts to cause two substances to become, and to remain of the same value or estimation, by acts of legislation. It gives a true picture of the vast injury to the welfare and to the moral integrity of the people of this country, which ensued from the enactment of the acts of legal tender during the late war, whereby the promise of a dollar was made equal in the discharge of a contract to the dollar itself. It shows that the mode of collecting a forced loan was the must costly and injurious method of taxation which could have been devised. It proves in the most conclusive way, the injury which will surely come when by present acts of coinage and of legal tender, our gold coin has been driven from the country, and our standard of value becomes a silver dollar of light weight and of uncertain value.

This book, Mr. Atkinson asserts, will prove to the mind of every thinking man that, if we persist much longer in sustaining the acts of coinage and legal tender which now encumber the statute book, our national credit will be impaired and all our working people, whose wages are paid in money, will be subjected to the most injurious form of special taxation which could be devised; it proves that a considerable portion of their wages will be taken from them under due process of law without power of redress on their part, while the rich and astute advocates of the present system will reap wealth which they nave not earned by taking from the laborer apart of that which is his rightful due. It is therefore of inestimable importance as giving the general reader a clear understanding of the real condition of things, and educating him into the right method of thinking about these matters, which sooner or later, will have to be settled by the voice of the people.

THE COUNTESS OF ALBANY. By Vernon Lee. Famous Women Series, Boston: Roberts Brothers. Price $1.00. In this volume we have a biography of a once famous, now almost forgotten, person. The Countess of Albany gained her prominence in the political and social world of the latter half of the eighteenth century, not by any greatness of character or of achievement, but solely by favor of Fortune; for it does appear as a compensation for the misery of her domestic life that she was accorded a position in the world gratifying to her nature to hold. Fate certainly owed the woman destined to live for a few years only, but those years long ones, the wife of that Stuart known as the Pretender, many years in which she could be mistress of herself and the recipient of kindly consideration, if not some measure of posthumous fame. The book gives us pictures not only of the countess, but of many persons of more or less renown with whom she was associated. We are introduced to a somewhat distinguished company of civil and ecclesiastical officials, persons of literary and artistic tastes--men and women yet of historic note. The pictures are sketched with great power and painted in solid. The subjects are mostly such as would have delighted a Flemish artist to paint, and they have received true Flemish treatment. The author displays not a little of Carlyle's power of characterization.

PLUCKY BOYS. By the author of "John Halifax, Gentleman," and other authors. Illustrated. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. Price $1.50. If there is any book of the season that we can heartily commend to boys of the stirring wide awake kind, it is this. The eighteen stories of which it consists, are by well-known writers, all lovers of boys and admirers of pluck, truthfulness, and manliness in them. The various young heroes described represent in their characters some particular quality which entitles them to be classed under the title which the compiler has given the book. Mrs. Craik's story is called "Facing the World;" Sophie May tells about "Joe and his Business Experiences;" George Gary Eggleston contributes a sketch called "Lambert's Ferry;" Kate Upson Clark has a story called "Granny," and there are others by authors of such reputation as Amanda B. Harris, Sarah Orne Jewett, Mary Wager Fisher, Hope Ledyard, Susan Power, Edith Robinson, and Tarpley Starr. The volume is bound in holiday style, and will make a capital gift book for that class of young readers for whom it was specially prepared.

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NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Of Marion Harland's latest book, "Cookery for Beginners," the _London Saturday Review_ says: "Mrs. Harland's little book shows its origin by the singular predominance of sweets (which is, speaking roughly, about three to one), and by such odd phrases--odd, that is to say, to an English ear--as that the chief merit of a cook is 'the ability to make good bread.' Alas! if that be so, how many inhabitants of London, England, possess a good cook? But Mrs. Harland is free from even a rag of national prejudice. She sternly, and with almost frightful boldness, denies the sacred PIE so much as a place in her book, and she ventures on the following utterance, which we purposely place in italics, and for which we hope that the eagle, whose home is in the settin' sun, has not already torn out her eyes. '_The best way_,' says this daring inhabitant of Boston, Mass., '_to manage a boiled egg at the table_ [she speaks of it, it will be observed, as if it were a kind of wild beast] _is the English way of setting it upright in the small end of the eggcup_ [Great powers! most Britons will cry, what is the large end of an eggcup?], _making a hole in the top_ [note the precision of these indications] _large enough to admit the eggspoon, and eating it from the top, seasoning it as you go._' The courage and genius of Mrs. Harland are not more clearly indicated by this sentence than the deplorable habits of her countrymen. She ought to be called, not Marion, but Columba. To desist from folly, however, her little book is a very interesting and valuable one. Its receipts, though few, are given with singular clearness and in the most practical of manners, and the mechanical value of the book is much increased by the inclusion of a large number of blank pages for additional receipts."

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"The fine grade of religious books published by D. Lothrop & Co., Boston, justifies more than a passing notice. This firm turns out yearly an immense number of books of the choicest quality, and at all prices to suit the needs of Sunday-schools throughout the land. It has been the aim of the publishers to employ none but the best writers for these books, realizing it a most important part of Church work to provide for the needs of this large class. Mingling intellectual strength with deep religious feeling, at the same time the publishers strive to make the books interesting and attractive. For an untold number of examples prove that children and youth will _not_ read religious or moral teaching presented in a dry manner, and why should they? Full of life and vigor, and overflowing with intense energy in every part of their nature, these young people _require_ something healthfully to inspire to this force within them. If they do not find it in the natural avenues of the Sunday-school or the town library, they will elsewhere, in questionable literature--an indulgence in which results in a feverish taste for excitement. To help these young people develop into strong men and women, D. Lothrop & Co. have put forth every effort, sparing no expense. A glance at their _Catalogue_ will give an idea of what they have been doing in this department."--_The Messenger, Phila._

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Of Amanda B. Harris' last work, the _Advance_ says: "_Pleasant Authors for Young Folks_ is a delightful little book. The name of its author is sufficient to attract many readers who have been pleased with her 'Wild Flowers' and other books and sketches. These 'Little Biographies' of Walter Scott, Charles Lamb, Charles Kingsley, Dr. John Brown, George MacDonald, Dinah Mulock-Craik, John Ruskin, Charlotte Bronté and others, are made up of stories and incidents from the lives of these writers, bits of criticism and gems of extracts, put together as deftly and skilfully and making as fine and polished a whole as a Roman mosaic of the temple of Vesta. Such a delicious bit of a book as this in the hands of a boy or girl is worth more as an incitement to reading and an education of literary taste than many a library of a thousand volumes."

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"Every day we see that there is an absolute necessity for giving good books to our children. We cannot begin too early to cultivate a taste for healthful literature. The recent developments in several cities must call the attention of all careless parents to this fact. The influence of bad books upon children is so apparent as to be startling, and the boy who went armed to school last week in Pittsburg and gave his name to his teacher as 'Schuykill Jack,' is only one of a large number of weak-headed boys who have been depraved by reading these stories which they ought never to have seen. Do not consider it lost or wasted time during which you read to your boy; perhaps no other hours in your life are so wisely used, and it will not be without its fruit, you may be perfectly sure. Do not always read down to your children: they appreciate higher and deeper thoughts than you sometimes think they do."--_New York Evening Post._

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A "School of Library Economy" has just been established in Columbia College, to be opened in October, 1886. The object includes "all the special training needed to select, buy, arrange, catalogue, index, and administer in the best and most economical way any collection of books, pamphlets, or serials." The instruction is to be given by "lectures, reading, the Seminar, visiting libraries, problems, and work." We shall watch with interest this new species of technical school.

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LAW IN EASY LESSONS.

"It is manifest that such a manual as Every Man His Own Lawyer would be a snare to the unwary, because it does not content itself with teaching the reader what to avoid, but professes to guide him in the labyrinthian paths of substantive law and technical procedure. It is equally clear, however, that a rudimentary acquaintance with the main principles of jurisprudence is indispensable to those who purpose to mingle in active life at all, and discharge the most familiar duties of the citizen. But law books are not inviting to the general reader--we may imagine, indeed, that Blackstone has rather lost than gained in the esteem of his professional brethren by the attempt to make his commentaries an exception to the rule--and the volumes may be counted on the fingers which are at once entertaining and trustworthy compends of legal lore. To the meagre collection of attractive introductions to this subject an addition has recently been made by BENJAMIN VAUGHAN ABBOTT in a couple of brochures, respectively called _The Travelling Law School and Famous Trials_, which are published in one volume by D. Lothrop & Co. The book is ostensibly written for boys, but it may be heartily commended to adult readers of both sexes. It is surprising how much sound law the author manages to insinuate in the guise of interesting incidents and pleasing anecdotes. Even they who are sickened by the scent of sheepskin and law calf, and who would as soon think of entering on a course of Calvinistic theology as on a study of jurisprudence, will imbibe through the author's cheerful narrative a good many useful notions of their legal rights and duties, just as children are persuaded to swallow an aperient in the shape of prunes or figs.

"In 'The Travelling Law School,' as the name implies, the reader is invited to accompany a party of young students in a tour through several of the Atlantic States, the incidents of the journey suggesting succinct accounts of the main features of Federal, State, and municipal law. A much larger sum of information can be thus informally conveyed in about a hundred pages than would at first sight be deemed possible; and notwithstanding the suspicion with which lawyers are apt to regard the transmission of knowledge through such a pleasant medium, we are able to vouch in this instance for its accuracy. We have been particularly struck by the light which the author manages to throw, in a quick, unaffected way, on the characteristic features of the American Constitution. This he does by illustrations drawn from the organic laws of other countries possessing parliamentary institutions, and his references, on the whole, are singularly exact, though he might perhaps have laid more stress on the centralizing tendencies which survive in the executive branch of the French republican Government.

"The plan followed in 'Famous Trials' is to take a given topic, like forgery, confessions, mistaken identity or circumstantial evidence and to illustrate the points best worth remembering by some actual and interesting case in which they were strikingly brought out.

"The instance of mistaken identity described by Mr. Abbott at some length is really much more curious than the Tichborne case, though the affair, having taken place many years ago in France, has been almost totally forgotten. The true husband's name was Martin Guerre, a man of fair social position and some property, who, after living happily with his wife Bertrande for about a dozen years, disappeared suddenly, and nothing was heard of him for eight years. At the end of that time the same Martin Guerre, as all the town people supposed, came back, recognizing his old neighbors and friends, and looking just as he used, except that he had grown stouter and sunburned. His wife also recognized him as readily as did his neighbors, and gave him an affectionate welcome. To innumerable questions about occurrences in old times, he returned satisfactory and explicit answers. To his wife, in particular, he rehearsed incidents of past years that had completely faded from her memory. When they awoke, for instance, on the morning after his arrival, he asked her to 'Bring me my white breeches trimmed with white silk; you will find them at the bottom of the large beech chest under the linen.' She had long forgotten the breeches and even the box, but she found them just as he had described. In the face of such evidence it seemed impossible to doubt that this man was the genuine Martin Guerre. Yet he proved after all to be an impostor, whose real name was Arnauld Du Tilh. Yet strange as it may seem, on the impostor's trial, although confronted with the man whom he was personating, he was able to answer questions about the past life of the Guerre family more minutely and accurately than the rightful claimant. Being disavowed, however, by the great majority of witnesses, including the wife, on the appearance of her true husband, he was sentenced to death for his fraud. Before his execution he made a confession, saying that some intimate friends of Martin Guerre, misled by the astonishing resemblance, had accosted him by that name, which gave him the idea of claiming Guerre's position and property; and that he had gained his intimate knowledge of Guerre's life partly from Guerre himself, whom he had known slightly in the army, and partly from several common acquaintances. With this slender outfit of material he came within an ace of effecting his design, thanks to an exceptionally tenacious and ready memory."--_Extract from notice in "New York Daily Sun," of "The Travelling Law School._" D. Lothrop & Co. $1.00.

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AMERICAN BOOKS IN ENGLAND.

The cordial reception awarded to the best class of American books in England, is indicated by the following notices from the _Oldham Evening & Weekly Chronicle_ of October 4:

"FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS AND HOW THEY GREW. By Margaret Sidney. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. This gorgeously got up and profusely and beautifully illustrated volume is one of engrossing interest. All the characters are skilfully drawn, the events are interestingly marshalled, and the plot most naturally developed. For humour and pathos, for sympathy yet fidelity, for loftiness of tone yet simplicity of style, this charming volume has few superiors. Here and there it reminds us of Mark Twain, anon of Dickens, and often of George Eliot, for the authoress has many of the strong points of all these writers. Such wholesome and bracing literature as this may well find its place in all our homes. It is a tale of a high order, and is a real study of life. It is fresh, breezy, bracing. It is strengthening and enthralling."

"CAMBRIDGE SERMONS. By Rev. Alexander McKenzie. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. This neatly and strongly got up volume consists of sixteen fresh, vigorous, chatty, colloquial sermons. The author has the solidity of the Scotch teacher, and the polish and beauty of the English preacher combined with the freedom, the raciness, interest, and the freshness of the American pulpit orator. These discourses are orations which were delivered extemporaneously and taken down by a shorthand writer. Hence they are homely, yet eloquent; natural, yet cultivated, and come right home to the hearts of the readers. No one could tire reading these sermons. They are as racy as a magazine article, as instructive as a lecture, and as impressive and lofty as a message from God. They are thoroughly American for their fearlessness, their living energy, and their originality. Sermons of this high order are sure to be in demand."

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GOOD READING.

A glance at the way reading is generally taught in our schools will convince any impartial observer that this subject is made the driest and dreariest of all studies. In our graded schools, children generally read, on an average, an hour a day during the eight or nine years' course, at the rate of less than one book a year. The average child easily learns by heart in a few weeks all there is in the first three books, after that the constant repetitions are in the highest degree monotonous. There is nothing to attract his attention or stimulate his love for reading. The selections filling fourth, fifth and sixth readers are too often far above the mental grasp of the pupil, and are also of so fragmentary a nature as to be almost unintelligible to the average student. Word pronouncing, and that alone, is the only refuge of the teacher.

There can be no excuse on account of the cost, for the money now thrown away, and worse than thrown away, upon useless spelling books and mind-stupefying grammars, would purchase a rich supply of the best reading matter the English language affords for every school in the land.

I have tried this experiment, and to my mind it is no longer an experiment. I have seen the children of the poorest and most ignorant parents taking from the library works upon history, travels, biography, and the very best fiction, exhibiting in their selection excellent taste, and showing from their manner how much they love such books. They would no more choose bad reading than they would choose bad food when wholesome is provided for them. Shameful neglect, I repeat, and not innate depravity, drives our children into by-ways and forbidden paths. Let no one preach long sermons on the depraved tendencies of the young until he has tried this simple, cheap, and practical way of avoiding an unnecessary evil.--_F.W. Parker._

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The Golden Text Calendar, arranged by A.C. Morrow, editor of _The Illustrator_ of the International Sunday-school lessons, with designs by Mary A. Lathbury, is specially adapted as a holiday gift. Beautifully lithographed and printed in nine colors. It contains the Golden Text for every Sunday, and more than fifteen hundred quotations from the best authors. The background of the calendar is of sprays of apple blossoms. To the right of the pad the passing of time is represented by the flight of birds and an angel bearing an hour-glass. To the left, a young girl, with light flowing hair, stands beneath the branches of a tree, gathering pink and yellow hollyhocks. The design is worthy of the artist, and the literary selections reflect credit upon the editor. Price, $1.00.

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BABYLAND. The Boston _Daily Globe_ says: "One need not concern herself about the 'Chatterbox,' or any of the annuals made up in England for American youth, when there are better books, in adaptability of matter to age, in engravings, paper and press-work, close by her at home. The mother may find a number of annuals published in this country which will suit her taste and purpose much better, and she ought always to give them the preference. BABYLAND for 1884 is in all respects a desirable publication for the youngest readers. Its songs and stories, its speaking pictures and its general attractiveness always win the smiles of little folks."

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An interesting and suggestive little treatise on the "Care and Feeding of Infants," has been published by Doliber, Goodale & Co., Boston, who will send a specimen copy free to any address.

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"AN ADMIRABLE BOOK."

_The Literary World_, in a critical review of one of D. Lothrop & Co.'s recent publications, _The Travelling Law School_, says:--"Mr. B.V. Abbott's object, in the second volume of the Business Boys' Library, is to give a series of first lessons on forms of government and principles of law. This is done by means of a very slight framework of imagination, a large amount of anecdote and illustration, a singularly lucid explanatory style, and a fullness of knowledge that 'backs' the narrative with manifest strength. _The Travelling Law School_ is a fictitious body, taken about from place to place; all the objects and experiences encountered on the journey being examined in their legal aspects and relations, and their functions as such pointed out. Things that one can own are discriminated from things that are common property; Boston, New York, and Washington are differentiated in their civil and political bearings; the laws of the streets and the railroads, of money and the banks, of wills, evidence, fraud, and so forth and so on, are expounded by means of 'famous trials' and otherwise in an ingenious, always entertaining, and thoroughly instructive manner. We do not see why a course of instruction along the line of such topics as these would not be a wise feature in many schools of the higher grade, for which Mr. Abbott's book would be an admirable text-book. The study of such a book would be in the nature of a recreation, so full is it of matters of living interest, while of its practical value there could be only one opinion. Structurally it is in two parts, the second of which, entitled 'Famous Trials,' is separately paged." 12mo, $1.00.

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A STANDARD GIFT BOOK.

A new edition of Arthur Oilman's _The Kingdom of Home_ is announced by the publishers, and will form a strong attraction for holiday book-buyers. No poetical anthology has been received by the general public with such favor as this, and the reason is not far to seek. It contains the choicest poems on home subjects ever brought together, and the merits of its selections and pictures will keep it perennially in demand as one of the best gift books in the long catalogue of household treasures. The illustrations are abundant and exquisite. There are full page pictures, tiny ones, panel ones, head pieces, end pieces; some woven into the text, some the key-note of the stanzas, some of broad suggestions, some of quaint conceit. All subjects that bring up home associations are pictorially told in what, as to the rule, is the best of engraving. The old water-wheel is there, making music in the village glen; the limpid stream winding near the farmhouse; the spinning-wheel, "merrily, noisily, cheerily whirring;" the baby of the home saying her evening prayer, and John asleep beneath the summer boughs. Everything that clusters about the fireside, breathes in farewells, sings in marriage and throbs in love, finds embodiment. The idea of home comprises everything we hold dear--wife, children, friends; the roof that covers us, and the things we have learned to love about us. It lies at the very foundation of religion, and our ideal of heaven is simply a home. It is the love of home which strengthens us to endure toil, privation and suffering, and thousands in all ages have met death willingly to sustain the sanctity of their hearthstones. There is not a poet who has lived since the dawn of historic times who has not sung its praises, and from the vast amount of literature which has thus grown up, the contents of the present work have been selected. The compiler has shown rare judgment in the performance of his task, he justly says that the treatment of this subject has not been confined to the great poets. "It is not the poetry of the intellect, but of the heart; and many who have been eloquent on no other theme, have sung the praises of home in a way that has touched the hearts of thousands." The collection, therefore, includes not only the productions of the masters, but those of many a minor poet as well. The paper is beautifully white and clear, the margin liberal, and the binding at once chaste and elegant. It will make a book for the household; "one not for a day, but for all time." 8mo, Russia leather, seal grain, $6.00.

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A SPECIAL LETTER.

As an indication of the great interest aroused by the matter of one of the recent publications of D. Lothrop & Co., while it was passing through the WIDE AWAKE magazine in serial form, we print the following letter written from BROOKLINE, Mass., and dated Oct. 6, 1884, and signed "A well wisher."

DEAR WIDE AWAKE:

We have read with great interest the "Anna Maria Housekeeping
Talks," and think you could not do a better work than to publish
them in a cheap form, so as to be within the reach of almost any
one, and so ladies could buy them for their servants to read, It
cannot fail of success, it seems to me. The "talks" are too good
to have their light "hid under a bushel," and ought to be in the
hands of every one who has a house in charge, whether servant or
mistress.

In accordance with the general desire expressed in this and similar letters, the publishers have presented the papers in an attractive 16mo volume, published at $1.00. The subjects treated of embrace directions for the table and kitchen departments, the general arrangement and adornment of rooms, matters of dress and domestic economy, and numberless small details which every young girl will desire to be posted upon, and which even trained housekeepers are often grateful for being reminded of.

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LOTHROP'S ILLUSTRATED POEMS.

Among selections of the choicest works of best authors, in this department, are George Eliot's story of HOW LISA LOVED THE KING, and her splendid hymn, O MAY I JOIN THE CHOIR INVISIBLE; Tennyson's MAUD, AND OTHER POEMS, also THE BROOK, AND OTHER POEMS; Adelaide Procter's beautiful poem THE LOST CHORD; the favorite Christian songs, THE NINETY AND NINE, and JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL; and the popular song, THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET. Each volume in this Series is furnished in elegant cloth bindings, or fringed floral bindings at $1.50 each.

LOTHROP'S POPULAR LIBRARY EDITIONS.

Book lovers whose critical judgment extends to the binding as well as to the contents of a volume, will find something quite to their taste in Lothrop's new list of Illustrated Library Editions, which includes a selection of favorites presented in a form most acceptable to gift-makers, and very desirable for library use. The illustrations are by notable artists, and admirably suited to the text. In this class may be mentioned among others the volumes named below, which are published in 8vo form, extra cloth, in morocco, full gilt, at the wonderfully low prices indicated.

_POETS' HOMES._ The desire of multitudes to know something of the home life of the poets whose verses have become familiar in every household, will find gratification in the attractive one-volume edition of the delightful sketches edited by R.H. Stoddard, Arthur Gilman, and others, under the title of POETS' HOMES. It contains appreciative chapters upon Bryant, Longfellow, Whittier, Trowbridge, Lowell, Homes, Bayard Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Piatt, Stedman, Aldrich, and other poets of reputation. The homes of these poets are described in charming sketches, many of which are accompanied by portraits and other illustrations. Cloth, $4.00, Morocco, $8.00.

_HAYNE'S POEMS._ The welcome accorded to the first edition of the "Poetical Works of Paul H. Hayne," has led to the publication of a new edition. The critical estimate of Mr. Hayne's works, favorable from the outset, accords him a place among the few American writers whose works are likely to have a permanent place in public favor. As has been appreciatively said, "He is a songster of the Southern groves, and having built a nest in the wild wood (referring to his country home at Copse Hill), he is content in the companionship of his mate and his young, warbling to nature and to nature's God. If his notes reach beyond his sylvan hall, and fall upon ears without its wall, and plaudits of approval come in return, he trills responsively a grateful melody, and resumes his solo as he would do had no _encore_ greeted him." Cloth, $4.00, Morocco, $7.00.

In the same attractive bindings, are the following complete Works of _FAMOUS POETS_ at uniform prices, extra cloth, full gilt, $3.00. Morocco, full gilt, $6.00.

_WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE._ Edited, with a critical Biography, by William Michael Rossetti. With an essay on the Chronology of Shakespeare's Plays, by Edward Dowden, LL. D. A History of the Drama in England to the Time of Shakespeare, by Arthur Gilman, M.A. A Critical Introduction to each Play, by Augustus W. Von Schlegel. An Essay on Shakespeare's Indebtedness to the Bible, a List of early editions to Shakespeare's Plays; an Index to noteworthy Scenes; an Index to all the Characters; a List of the Songs in the Plays; an Index to familiar Quotations, and a carefully prepared Glossary, Shakespeare's Will, etc. The above illustrative matter makes this the best-furnished one-volume edition in the market.

_LORD BYRON_, with portrait, correspondence, and notes, by Sir John Gilbert, W.J. Linton and others.

_ROBERT BURNS._ With portrait, correspondence and notes, edited by Allan Cunningham.

_GOETHE._ Translated in the original metres by Edgar Alfred Browning, C.B.

_JEAN INGELOW._ Including "The Shepherd Lady." 400 pages.

_LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL, MARMION_, and _LADY OF THE LAKE._

Lord Macaulay's _LAYS OF ANCIENT ROME._ With _IVRY_ and the _ARMADA._ With illustration by Wequelin.

_OWEN MEREDITH_ (Robert, Lord Lytton). "Lucille," "The Apple of Life," "The Wanderer," etc.

_JOHN MILTON._ With Memoir, Introduction and Notes, by David Masson, M.A., LL. D.

_THOMAS MOORE._ Unabridged. With explanatory notes.

_ADELAIDE A. PROCTER._ There are, in this volume, gems of as noble and perfect poetry as in any language.--_London Athenæum._

_JOHANN C.F. VON SCHILLER._ The finest one-volume edition of the works of this favorite poet.

_SIR WALTER SCOTT._ Including introduction and notes.

_PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY._ "No poet was ever warmed by a more genuine or unforced inspiration."

_ALFRED TENNYSON._ Including all the latest poems. Illustrated by Gustave Doré, W. Holman Hunt and others.

LOTHROP'S GOLDEN TREASURY SERIES.

This series presents a selection of books, remarkable for the rare and enduring value of their contents, and made additionally attractive by the form in which they are published. The volumes are of the semi-square shape which offers such excellent opportunities for the best effects in simple but elegant typography and binding, and the results will be in the highest degree satisfactory to all lovers of handsome books. The series takes its name from the book first upon the list.

_THE GOLDEN TREASURY_, edited by Francis Turner Palgrave, consists of selections made with rare discrimination from the very best of English songs and lyrical poems.

_IN THE BOOK OF PRAISE_, Sir Roundell Palmer, with a just appreciation of their merits and a devout sympathy with their spirit, has brought together, from the range of English hymns, those which are worthy of a permanent place in public favor.

_THE BALLAD BOOK_, edited with no less painstaking care, and excellence in judgment, by William Allingham, includes an unsurpassed selection of the representative ballads which have won fame and favor for the bards of Britain. In no other form is so rare and pleasing a collection of British ballads to be found.

Of the volume which includes those masterpieces of Sir Walter Scott, _MARMION, LADY OF THE LAKE, AND THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL_, no explanatory words are necessary. These poems in the future, as in the past, will hold undisputed place among the gems of classic literature.

The popularity of England's Poet Laureate makes it equally unnecessary to more than present the title of the next volume upon the list, _THE COMPLETE WORKS OF TENNYSON._

Lord Macaulay's _LAYS OF ANCIENT ROME, IVRY_, and the _ARMADA_, is another volume upon which comment is needless.

_RELIGIOUS POEMS_ is an admirable selection, reflecting the life and sentiments of the Christian believer.

_IN THE MIND AND WORDS OF JESUS_, by Rev. T.R. Macduff, we have a masterly interpretation of the thoughts and utterances of the Divine Teacher, so full of deep insight, of spirituality, and helpfulness, as to seem little less than inspired.

This series of standard books would be incomplete without the name of Bunyan and his _PILGRIM'S PROGRESS_, which concludes the list.

Each volume is beautifully illustrated and printed on the finest paper. To their other excellent features is added a price which cannot fail to make them popular. Vellum, cloth, $1.25 each.

LOTHROP'S SPARE MINUTE SERIES.

"The significance of the name of this series is seen from the fact that THOUGHTS THAT BREATHE, for instance, has 300 pages, and contains 273 separately numbered and independent extracts. Thus a person can read one or more of these at a time, and put the book down without breaking the train of thought." 6 vols, 12mo, $5.00. 6 vols, imitation half calf. $7.50. 6 vols, full imitation calf. $9.00.

_RIGHT TO THE POINT._ From the writings of Theodore L. Cuyler, D.D., selected by Mary Storrs Haynes. With an introduction by Rev. Newman Hall.

Pithy paragraphs on a wide range of subjects, not one of which but will be found to contain some terse, sparkling truth worthy of thought and attention. A spare ten minutes devoted to such reading can never be wasted.

_THOUGHT THAT BREATHE._ From the writings of Dean Stanley. Introduction by Rev. Phillips Brooks. The numerous admirers on this side of the water of the late eloquent English churchman, will be grateful for this volume, which contains some of his best utterances. 16mo, cloth, $1.00.

_CHEERFUL WORDS._ From George MacDonald. Introduction by James T. Fields.

_THE MIGHT OF RIGHT._ From Rt. Hon. Wm. E. Gladstone. Introduction by John D. Long.

_TRUE MANLINESS._ From Thomas Hughes. Introduction by James Russell Lowell.

_LIVING TRUTHS._ From Charles Kingsley. Introduction by W.D. Howells.

LOTHROP'S CHOICE NEW EDITIONS OF FAMOUS S.S. BOOKS IN SETS.

"_Bronckton Series._" SO AS BY FIRE, by Margaret Sidney. A bright story full of life and interest, as are all the writings by this popular author.

_HALF YEAR AT BRONCKTON_, by the same author. Earnest, yet lively, this is just the book for all boys old enough to be subjected to the temptations of school life.

The other books of this series, "Tempter Behind," by John Saunders, "For Mack's Sake," by S.J. Burke, and "Class of '70," by Helena V. Morrison, are all worthy of a place in every Sunday-school library.

Amaranth Library. 4 vols., 12mo, illust. $6.00 Books by the author of Andy Luttrell. 6 vols., 12mo, illust. 7.50 Julia A. Eastman's Books. 6 vols., 12mo, illust. 7.50 Ella Farman's Books. 9 vols., large 16mo, illust. 10.00 Pansy Series. 4 vols. 3.00 Mudge (Rev. Z.A.) Works. 3 vols. 3.75 Porter (Mrs. A.E.) Books. 5 vols. 6.25 Capron (M.J.) Books. 4 vols. 6.00 Mrs. E.D. Kendall's Books. 3 vols., 12mo, illust. 3.75 Our Boy's Library. 5 vols., illust. 6.25 Our Girls' Library. 5 vols., illust. 6.25 Snow Family Library. 5 vols., illust. 5.00 Sturdy Jack Series. 6 vols., 12mo, illust. 4.50 To-day Series. New and of extraordinary excellence. 6 vols., illust. 7.50 Child Life Series. 26 vols., illust. Each 1.00 Hill Rest Series. 3 vols., 16mo, illust. 3.75 Uncle Max Series. 8 vols., illust. 6.00 Yensie Walton Books. 5 vols., 12mo, illust. 7.50

LOTHROP'S YOUNG FOLKS' LIBRARY.

Nothing at once so good and cheap is anywhere to be found. These choice 16mo volumes of 300 to 500 pages, clear type, carefully printed, with handsome and durable covers of manilla paper, and embracing some of the best stories by popular American authors, are published at the low price of 25 cents per volume, and mailed postpaid. One number issued each month. No second edition will be printed in this style. The regular edition is issued in cloth bindings at $1.25 to $1.75 per volume. Among the numbers already published at 25 cents each as above are

1. Tip Lewis and his lamp, by PANSY. 2. Margie's Mission by MARIE OLIVER. 3. Kitty Kent's Trouble, by JULIA A. EASTMAN. 4. Mrs. Hurd's Niece, by ELLA FARMAN PRATT, editor of WIDE AWAKE. 5. Evening Rest, by REV. J.L. PRATT.

Other equally charming stories will follow each month. The Library is especially commended to Sunday-school superintendents or those interested in securing choice Sunday-school books at lowest prices. Attention is called to the necessity of early orders, as when the present editions are exhausted, no more copies of the several volumes can be had at the same price.

LOTHROP'S STANDARD BOOKS FOR YOUTHS.

Admirable books in history, biography and story.

Fern Glen Series. 31 vols., illust. Each 1.25 Young Folks' Series. 33 vols., illust. Each 1.50 Popular Biographies. 18 vols., illust. Each 1.50 Young Folks' Histories, by MISS YONGE and others. 10 vols., illust. Each 1.50 Yonge's Historical Stories. 4 vols., illust. Each 1.25 The $1000 Prize Books. A fresh edition in new style of binding. 16 vols., 12mo. 24.50 The new $500 Prize Series. A fresh edition in new style of binding. 13 vols., 12mo. 16.75 The Original $500 Prize Series. A fresh edition in new style of binding. 8 vols., 12mo. 12.00

LOTHROP'S TEMPERANCE LIBRARY.

No Sunday-school library is complete without some well-chosen volumes showing the evils of intemperance, the great curse which good men and women are everywhere endeavoring to remove.

D. Lothrop & Co. publish among others the following admirable temperance books.

The only way Out. By J.W. Willing. $1.50 John Bremm. By A.A. Hopkins. 1.25 Sinner and Saint. by A.A. Hopkins 1.25 The Tempter Behind. By John Saunders. 1.25 Good Work. By Mary D. Chellis. 1.50 Mystery of the Lodge. By Mary D. Chellis. 1.50 Finished or Not. By the author of "Fabrics." 1.50 Modern Prophets. By Pansy and Faye Huntington. 1.50 May Bell. By Hubert Newbury. 1.50

_TEMPERANCE REFORMATION_, The, and Its Claims upon the Christian Church. By Rev. James Smith, of Scotland. 8 vo. $2.50.

Sunday-school teachers and superintendents will find the above books admirably adapted to the purpose of teaching great moral lessons, while they are also full of pleasure and interest to young readers.

LOTHROP'S POPULAR LOW-PRICE LIBRARIES.

Among attractive and valuable Libraries issued in sets at prices which place them not only beyond competition, but within the easy reach of all, are

Best Way Series. 3 vols., illust. $1.50 Half Hour Library, by PANSY. 8 vols., illust. 3.20 Little People's Home Library. 12 vols., illust. 3.00 Little Pansy Series. 10 vols., illust. Cloth, $4.00; boards. 3.00 Little May's Picture Library. 12 vols., illust. 2.40 Mother's Boys and Girls, by PANSY. 12 vols., illust. 3.00 Rainy Day Library. 8 vols., illust. 4.00 Spring Blossom. 12 vols., illust. 3.00 Stories from the Bible, 1st and 2d Series. Each .15 Twisty Clover Series. 6 vols., illust. 1.20 Happy Thought Library. 6 vols., large 18mo, illust. 3.00 Little Neighbor Series. 6 vols., large 18mo, illust. 1.50 May and Tom Library. 5 vols., 18mo, illust. 3.00 Sunny Dell Series. 6 vols., 18mo, illust. 3.60 Side by Side library. 3 vols., 16mo, illust. 1.80

LOTHROP'S POPULAR PANSY BOOKS.

The works of this popular author are universally acknowledged to be among the very best of all books for Sunday-school reading. Earnest, hopeful, practical, full of the spirit of Christian faith and courage, they are also in the highest degree interesting.

COMPLETE LIST OF THE PANSY BOOKS.

_Each volume, 12mo, $1.50._

Chautauqua Girls at Home.

Divers Women.

Echoing and Re-echoing.

Endless Chain (An).

Ester Ried.

Ester Ried Yet Speaking.

Four Girls at Chautauqua.

From different Standpoints.

Hall in the Grove (The).

Household Puzzles.

Julia Ried.

King's Daughter (The).

Links in Rebecca's Life.

Mrs. Solomon Smith Looking On.

Modern Prophets.

Man of the House (The).

New Graft on the Family Tree (A).

Pocket Measure (The).

Ruth Erskine's Crosses.

Randolphs (The).

Sidney Martin's Christmas.

Those Boys.

Three People.

Tip Lewis and his Lamp.

Wise and Otherwise.

_Each volume, 12mo, $1.25._

Cunning Workmen.

Dr. Deane's Way.

Grandpa's Darlings.

Miss Priscilla Hunter and My Daughter Susan.

Mrs. Deane's Way.

What she Said.

_Each volume, 12mo, $1.00._

Five Friends.

Mrs. Harry Harper's Awakening.

Next Things.

Pansy's Scrap Book.

Some young Heroines.

_Each volume, 12mo, 75 cents._

Getting Ahead.

Mary Burton Abroad.

Pansies.

Six little Girls.

That Boy Bob.

Two Boys.

_Each volume, 16mo, 75 cents._

Bernie's White Chicken.

Docia's Journal.

Helen Lester.

Jessie Wells.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Hedge Fence (A)., 16mo, 60c.

Side by Side, 16mo, 60c.

Pansy's Picture Book. 4to, boards, 1.50; cloth 2.00

The little Pansy Series. 10 vols., boards, 3.00; cloth 4.00

Mother's Boys and Girls Library. 12 vols., quarto, boards. 3.00

PANSY'S NEW BOOKS.

Among the new books by this favorite author, which Sunday-school superintendents and all readers of her previous books will wish to order, are

A HEDGE FENCE. A story that will be particularly pleasing to boys, most of whom will find in its hero a fair representation of themselves. 16mo, 60 cents.

AN ENDLESS CHAIN. From the introduction, on the first page, of the new superintendent of the Packard Place Sabbath-school, to the end, there is no flagging of interest in this bright, fresh, wholesome story. Illustrated, 12mo, $1.50.

SIDE BY SIDE. Short illustrated stories from Bible texts for the help of boys and girls in their everyday duties. 16mo, cloth, 60 cents.

CHRISTIE'S CHRISTMAS. No more charming little heroine can be found than the Christie of this volume, and the story of her journey to spend Christmas, with the great variety of characters introduced, all of them original and individual in their way, is perfectly novel and interesting.

As a guide to teachers, rich in suggestions and directions for methods of teaching, etc., there is nothing better than PANSY'S SCRAP BOOK. 12mo. Cloth, Illustrated $1.00.

In fact all of Pansy's books have some special charm or attraction which makes them a power for good wherever read.

LOTHROP'S SELECT SUNDAY-SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

_Every book in these marvellously cheap libraries will bear the closest criticism_. Each is fresh and interesting in matter, unexceptionable in tone and excellent in literary style. These libraries as a whole, considering their character and cost _have no superiors_.

Select Sunday-school Library, No. 12, 20 vols., $5.00 net. " " " No. 9, 50 vols., 25.00 net. " " " No. 10, 12 vols., 5.00 net. " " " No. 11, 20 vols., 10.00 net. Pansy's Primary Library, 30 vols. 7.50 net. Select Primary Sunday-school Library, 36 vols., in extra cloth binding. 5.50 net.

LOTHROP'S BOOKS FOR SUPERINTENDENTS.

BIBLE READER, THE. By Rev. H.V. Dexter, D.D. 16mo, .50.

BIBLE LESSONS FOR SUNDAY-SCHOOL CONCERTS AND ANNIVERSARIES. By Edmund Clark. 18 numbers 5 cts. each. Bound in 16mo. vol, cloth, $1.00.

BIBLE PICTURES. By Rev. Geo. B. Ide, D.D. 12mo, $2.00.

FIFTY YEARS WITH THE SABBATH-SCHOOL. By Rev. Asa Bullard, D.D. 12mo, cloth, $1.25.

HELP FOR SUNDAY-SCHOOL CONCERTS. By A.P. and M.T. Folsom. 16mo, $1.00.

SELF-GIVING. A story of Christian missions. By Rev. W.F. Bainbridge. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, $1.50.

ROCK OF AGES. By Rev. S.F. Smith, D.D. A choice collection of religious poems. 18mo, cloth, gilt edges, $1.25.

STUDY OF NAHUM (A). By Professor Thos. H. Rich, 16mo, $.40.

STORY OF THE PRAYERS OF CHRISTIAN HISTORY (The). By Hezekiah Butterworth. 12mo, illustrated, $1.50.

WALKS TO EMMAUS. By Rev. Nehemiah Adams. Charming specimens of sermon literature. 12mo, $1.00.

WARS OF THE JEWS. By Flavius Josephus. Translated by William Whiston, M.A. 8vo, cloth, plain, $1.00. Extra cloth, gilt top, fully illustrated, $1.50.

WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT [The]; or, The New Birth. By Prof. Austin Phelps, D.D. 16mo, $1.25.

LOTHROP'S BOOKS FOR ANNIVERSARIES AND CONCERTS.

It is often a difficult matter to determine what to use for Sunday-school anniversaries, etc. To those in doubt, we would suggest the use of the following capital aids:

BIBLE LESSONS FOR SUNDAY-SCHOOLS, CONCERTS AND ANNIVERSARIES. By Edmund Clark. 18 numbers, 5 cents each. Bound in one 16mo volume, cloth, $1.00.

HELP FOR SUNDAY-SCHOOL CONCERTS. By A.P. and M.T. Folsom. A choice collection of poems. 16mo, $1.00.

ENTERTAINMENTS. By Lizzie W. Champney. For concerts, exhibitions, church festivals, etc. 15mo, Illustrated. $1.00.

A THOUSAND OTHER CHOICE BOOKS.