Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-06-11
Books and PerfodicaIs.


to their four editions Of Dickens Works.
which is unique in character, and completes
the yarious sets. Its called Master Hum
phrey' Clock, taking its name from the first
and largest portion Of The volume. II may
be remembered that Mr. Dickens commenced
in 1910 the publication of a serial work under
the above title. Master Humphrey was the
principle character an old gentleman Of
prattling turn Of miud, who acted as a sort Of
chairman Of an antquated club, whose meet
tings we're held under the shadow Of his tall
clock, out Of the case Of which came manu-
script rolls of stories. Ne Pickwick re.ap-
pears, and so do Sam Weller and bis father,
and even third Weller in the person Of
Sans small son Tony, who is a miniature
likeness of his grandfather; and very early,
under the tuition Of that patriarch, displays
an interest in pints and quarts. It seemed
to be the authors intention to incorporate in
this framework various short stories, but al
ter while, getting warmed With the tale OF
the "0ld Curiosity Shop, the voices of Mas
ter Humphrey and his friends die away, re-
yived only occasionally to remind Of the
original plan and thus explain the title.
Ibe sold Curiosity Shop aud Barnaby
Rudge. were both Included thus in Master
Humphrey Clock, " but are entirely inde-
pendent of it. The fiction Of Master Hum
phrey was then dropped not to be resumed,
and the portions printed have never until nov
been published in collections Of Mr. Dickens's
Works. Here they are TO be found, and will
be read with interest as if forming new
novel by the great author
The second portion of the book consists Of
the various Christmas Stories which the au-
thor has written since the publication of the
older and better known christmas Stories.
There is presented-what to many will be
the most valuable portion Of the abook-an
exhaustive Index of all the characters named
10 Dickens Works, with few characterz-
ing epithets, aud the name Of the story in
which they appear, with list Of all the pages
IN which their words aud actions may be
found This really great Index strikes one
anew with astonishment at the multitude of
people whom Mr.. Dickens has created No
wonder they ueed Directory of their resi-
dences. Who can keep iu his head The mum
Der of the street where each resides? Last
Of all is a curious list Of Familiar Sayings
from Dickens Works, which illustrates well
The Indebtedness OF the world to this master
Of felcitous phrases.
This volume gives TO Hurd aud Houghton's
four editions completeness which no other
editions in America or England possess; and
the purchaser may take his choice, according
to his taste aud his pocket, between the cheap,
compact, readable "Globe, the richly Illus
trated, elegant Riverside" The yoluminous,
graceful Household, and the superb Large
Paper" with It's India proof pictures, its
margin, and It's limited edition Of one hun
dred copies only to subscribers.
BALLoU's MoSrmy for July contains
Court life at Compegne. House Of Peter
the Great. Massacre of the inuocents. The
young Philosophers The British Throne
The Banks Esiatt Queen Esther. July.
Ny Grandfather's Cruise in the year one.
Sweet Margerie. The Gentleman from Cali
fornia. His Divorce. Ny uip in the Sally
Ann. The Inundation. Running the Gaunt-
Let A Law IF Tova Dars-u.;r f.,.I
Toya onr vonra rao,la,s s,or,.,aIr.r Uow
.Ilan al p aa.,-L, -. 60.
vators Faots an5 -. -. =.
NJ pI,b ~ A., TI..a.n. III
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bot. Boston, Mass.
Tug contents or the London ouartarlv
lApriD are. Rassap,'s Abvssinio Modem
English Poets. Geological Climates and the
origin OF Species. Cost OF party Govern
ment. Danti Algh'er Female Education.
Travels in Greece. The Religious Wars of
Ct,.-oL t,-r1 p...t1;.te.,trIss. -.
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