The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-09 00:00:00

LITERATURE,

Children's Books.

THE HISTORICAL LIBRARY. By Miss Corner.
Ihe Histories of England and Wales, of Rome,
of Italy, of Greece, of France, of Scotland, and of
Ireland,

Scripture TEstory. Simplified by Miss Corner,
revised by Dr. Kitto..

Every Child's History of England. By Miss
Corner, new and improved edition.

Eveq Child's Scripture llistory. By Edward
Farr.

Every Child's History of France.
Every Child's History of Greece.
Every Child's History of Rome. Dean and Son.
The name of Julia Corner is familiar and well-
beloved in the F cho ol- r o ora s and nurseries of the
present generation. It has been her delightful task
to make pleasant the paths of knowledge to myriads
of little footsteps, and to invest with a particular
interest the historical narratives of almost every
nation of importance. The Messrs. Dean have just
issued a new edition of the Juvenile Historical
Library, comprising the histories of Greece and
Rome, of England and France, of Scotland, and
Ireland, and Italy, each published separately in a
neat useful volume, "adapted,'' says the title-page,
"to youth, schools, and families." Nor are the yet
younger members of the community lost sight of.
A still more juvenile series, founded on the model
of Miss Corner's "Every Child's History of Eng-
land "—a book especially adapted far the most
youthful learners of history—has been "adapted for
the junior classes from Miss Corner's various his-
tories above enumerated, by Edward Farr. Very
excellent histories of every land are thus provided,
histories suitable for the capacity of " every child,"
by the persevering labours of Edward Farr and
Julia Corner.

Papa and Mamma's Easy Lessons in Geography.
By Anna Maria Sargeant. With numerous
Illustrations. Dean and Son.
" Ah, I hate geography ! it is so full of hard
words, that I know nothing about it when I have
learned it ! ' cries the little heroine of this charming
story-book ; and a similar cry in similar tones of
complaint arises continually from many weary little
learners, as the dry task, which " daily turns their
sickening memory," is again and again repeated.
Little Kate Goodwin, whose words we have just
quoted is rescued from her perplexities by her kind
papa, who, begging the governess to excuse the
geography lessons for a brief interval, himself un.
dertakes the task, not of cramming his children's
memories with a set of words and names, learned
off by rote, but of informing their minds and ex-
panding their intellects by the infusion of new ideas.
It is an everyday matter of observation that
while many children dislike " learaing lessons," all
children delight in "asking questions." The reason
is obvious ; their dawning intelligence is craving
for information, as their growing bodies are craving
for food, but too often the intellectual repast pro-
vided for them is utterly beyond the powers of their
mental digestion, and, consequently, most repug-
nant to their mental appetite. There is little
nourishment for heart or mind to be gained by a
multiplicity of "lessons." Therefore it is that we
particularly rejoice in the appearance of any works
like this judicious compilation of Miss Sargeant's,
works which endeavour to explain and make intelli-
gible to the youthful understanding what other less
adroit instructors only seek by mechanical agency
to cram into the memory—useless lumber, even if
retained there.

Scripture 11 atural History. By the Rev. J.
Young, M.A. Dean and Son.
This little book, very prettily bound and illus-
trated, will be a suitable gift-book for the young.
It contains very interesting descriptions of the
various plants and animas mentioned in the sacred
writings, from the Ass, so memorable in the entry
into Jerusalem, to the great Behemoth and the
patient Camel. Numerous pleasing verses add to
the many attractions of this charming little book.

The Guide to Useful Knowledge. By Charles
Butler. Dean and Son.
This very useful little catechism abounds in prac-
tical every-day information. The little boy, as
well-known to Mrs. Pipchin, who was eaten up by
the mad bull because he was always asking ques-
tions, might have been spared his dreadful fate had
this little book been within his reach. How and
Why and What everything is or may be, from
"Beef and Mutton" (page 1) to " Bain's Telegraph"
(page 180) is here set forth in a most clear and
comprehensive manner. Though ostensibly intended
for the information of the young, many parents and
guardians, many teachers and governesses will find
much to learn from its very multifarious stories.

An Easy Guide to Geography. By Charles Butler,
author of " The Guide to Useful Knowledge."
Dean and Son.
The same friendly hand to which we are indebted
for the treasury above mentioned, has also compiled
a very useful and comprehensive guide to geography,
well adapted for the little learners who have passed
through the first rudiments of geography under the
friendly tutelage of Anna Maria Sargeant.

THE JOINT STOCK COMPANIES ALMANAC AND
REGISTER is a very useful publication, containing, RS
it doss, guide notes on the formation and manages
ment of public Companies, a list of joint-stock
companiee, and other intelligence of much interest
to the commercial World.
A FULL REPORT OP THE SPEECHES DELIVERED
BY THE REV. H. W. BEEcHER has been published
by the Union and Emancipation Society, so that
the admirers of that gentleman have an oppora
tunity of preserving
speeches.