The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-02 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS NUMBERS.

A new form of Christmas book is now becoming
general. Christmas magazine numbers and Christ-
mas stories in form resembling magazines. After the
great success of the " Christmas Carol" a swarm of
bright, little volumettes (somewhat dissimilarin their
contents, be it observed !) made their appearance for
several succeeding years at Christmas time, and now
we have, at the suggestion of good Mrs. Lirriper or
Dr. Marigold, no doubt, Christmas books of a
different form, but each, for the most part, con-
taining a series of tales by different individuals. -
We have already noticed Miss Braddon's " Bel-
gravia Annual" ; and we have now to mention
some half a dozen others. Routledge's "On the
Cards," contains some stories of more than average
excellence, accompanied by a charming little illus-
trated almanack of the year, and on the cover is a
clever design of an omnibus, with the various con-
tributor 3, familiar friends most of them, and pas-

sengers.
" Snow" (Ward, Lock, and Tyler), by Lyulph,
author of the "Reply of the Girl at the Railway
Junction," which appeared last year. the opening
chapter is very clever, and full of interest.
Sentiments of true benevolence are veiled in
a sarcastic guise, and the crime of the little
wretch who is to go to prison because he will
not go home (having no home), and the " duty"-full
behaviour of the policemen, and the innocent amaze-
ment of the benevolent traveller are capitally de-
scribed. Some of the stories introduced in the course
of the tale are sensational to a degree, not to say
extravagant. " Gold, Silver, and Lead," Warne's
Christmas Annual, is edited by the able care of Mrs.
Valentine, Miiizted by a number of well chosen con-

,ributors. Some of the contents are very interesting

•
and some—such as the record of " The Broken-

hearted Club," are very amusing. Beeton's Christ-
mas Annual, " Nine of Us," contains stories by
heroes of nine different nationalities—English,
French, Scotch, Irish, Dutch, Welsh, German,
Yankee, and Turk. The idea is a happy one. Each
of these Christmas Books contains an elegant little
almanac for the ensuing year, each differing in de-
sign, but all of them being very attractive. The
Christmas number of London Society contains, in
addition to a variety of tale, au extra number of
pictorial illustrations. The Christmas number of
Once a Week, " The Guest Meal," h appropriately
adorned with a symbolic knife and fork and spoon.
Among the dishes served up some are very aP"
petisiOg.

Illuminated Texts.

Among the Christmas gifts we may very appro.-
priately class some veryex quisitely illuminated texts
and illustrations. Conspicuous among those are
Fuller's Imperial Chromo Illustrations, from
original copyright designs, published at the royal
Albert Press. A very large card, most gorgeously
illuminate.' with brilliant colours, on a gold
ground, illustrates the psalm, " The Lord is my
Shepherd." On the upper half of the card are
two verses side by side, the one speaking of the
" green pastures " through which we are guided by
the Paternal Hand is surrounded by a suitable
border of blooming flowers. On the opposite
side is the passage—" Though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death I shall fear 11°
evil," the surrounding darkness being illumined by
golden stars, and through the briars and thorns
gleam the supporting Staff leaning upon the Cross•
Another smaller card very beautifully illustrates
those exquisite lines of Longfellow on the death of

little children, " The Iteaper and the Flowers.-
" Venetian Miniature Outlines for Illuminating,
designed by Laurence de Lara, contain coloured
pictures, with borders designed in outline for ill'•
minating. Among these are " The Christian
Martyr," " Moses in the Bulrushes," " The Son of
Man is Come," and others. Among the illuminated
texts are some very beautiful ones, " The Lord 1,
my Shepherd," "He Shall Enter into Peace,
"Show me Thy Ways, 0 Lord." " The Heavens
Declare the Glory of God," and others beautifully
designed and very gorgeously illuminated.

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II ER MAJESTY.

^

WINDSOR CASTLE, Dec. 1.
The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, accolll-
- by Princess Beatrice.
To-day is the birthday of the Princess of Wfleo'