The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1875-12-09
ST. NICHOLAS FOR DEcKMBER-Has for its

ST. NICHOLAS FOR DECEMBER-Has for ITS
froutispieee an entirely original and most charm
ing portrait of " Hans Christian Andersen sur
rounded by several OF the representative crea-
tions of his fancy, which set forth with
almost much delicacy in his own word
pictures. Lookius first aud long at the noble,
kindly face. "ne next the Little Match
Girl, aud l'neatii it sketch Of good Council
lor Knapp while in corner the "Usly Lit
tie Duckling emblem of himself
is lifting its great featherless head in 50 lfe-ke
n manner that yon almost expect to hear its fee
ble "quack.r Little Tux {" is there too ami SO
are "The Brave Tin Soldier" and "The Elder
Tree Mother"-in short, fliis frontispiece is one
of the most daintily conceived and beautifully
executed wood engravings that we have ever
seen. 1t is eminently fitting, therefore, that so
perfect picture should be made to illustrate an
article as perfect; and that it does in this case
can hardly be denied. No writer in this country
is better qualified to tell of Hans Christian An
dersen than Mr.. Boyesen, the Norwegian novel
list, and the author of the article in the Decem-
Der number of ST. NICHOLAS. This contribution,
indeed, is prominent, valuable and thoroughly
fresh memorial of the ehildrens poet, and is full
of biographical anecdotes, given in the enter
tanning manner characteristic of the author of
"Gunnar"
OF the other contributions 10 the number, per
haps the most noticeable are Fl. HIS poem of
"The Legend of St. Nicholas" with its exquisite
illustration; the article entitled Something
About Railroads, i" and giving details of the his
tory, construction and management of the rail-
"A
dred Christmas Presents and How to Make
Them" This last il emphatically usefal article
indeed we know not where to find more com
plete and concise guide to the construction of
those innumerabe adornments that can be so
easily made-wheu one once knows how-ont of
mere household scraps
As for other attractions, Mr.. Brooks serial,
"The Boy Emigrants,' grows in interest and
power as We make our slow advance with the
boys across the Western prairies; SANDY, the
Hunchback," gives us a change of air, and a
pathetic picture of poor, MANNED boys life
among the braes of Scotland; even farther still
we go to witness the interesting aud peculiar
observance of "St. Nicholas Day in Germany"
aud ON our return we stop just short of our ma
tive shores to meet Mr.. Trowhridse's sporting
characters, joe and aBonwig,r and experience
the delight of hunting ducks with them, upon a
little island. Frank and the Toad novel
mock trial, and the poem of a dead Doll, are
sure to bring laugh with them; and Mrs.
Dodge has one of her charming rhymes, with a
maryeously beautiful illustration by Miss
HallOck.
Readers of the magazine have long known
what keen excitement and inspiration to expect
from the various departments, and in no single
issue have they probably found more enjoyment
than they will in this one, either from Jack-in-
the-Pulpit, or from the Riddle-Bux, which this
month offers as a prize for the solution of its
chief puzzle, a beautiful miniature schooner
yacht To simply glance through the December
number of ST. NICHOLAS is at least to confess
that never before has literature for children
reached high level.