The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-13
LITERARY NOTES.

Stories of Adventure. told by Adventures; by
Edward E. Hale. Boston, Roberts Bros; Rock
Island, r. Champion.
This volume is the third in series sug-
gestcd at the Librarians Congress in Bos
ton, in the summer of 1879, and is prepar
ed with the intention to teach boys and
girls how to use the books at their disposal
This book treats of the most celebrated
travellers from Marco Polo down to the
present day, and gives spirited and inter
esting resume of their different adventures.
1t is not the object of the author to re-
write the tales referred to, nor does he de-
sire to satisfy the reader with the amount
that he pretends, but rather to give them
such an insight into the wondrous land
thus half disclosed as to lead him to ask
for more. The design of the book is not
only to supply good, interesting and in
structive reading for boys and girls, but
also to teach them what other books are
also suitable, and to cultivate in them a
liking for them. At the present time
when SO much of the literature presented
for youthful readers is demoralizing and
pernicious, the above work shines out in
broad contrast as missionary.
1.-THE Bellsn by Edgar Allan Poe; illustrated by
barley, Mcentcheon, Fredericks; Perkins; King
phia, X. Champion; Rock Island.
From the day it was first given to the
public until now ssThe Bells" has always
had its admirers and the peculiar charm of
its beautiful onomatopGtic verse will out
last many of of its more pretentious ri
walls. This present edition has been got
ten up with view of adding fitting illus
tratiens to the familiar verse and, well have
the artists done their duty.
It is not mere collection of illustra
tions not having the meaning of the poem
in view. but each one was drawn with the
special object of developing a higher
meaning from the stanzas. 1t is most
beautiful work and fittingly brought forth
at this the Christmas tide.
James T. Fields, Biographical notes and Personal
Sketches; Boston, Houghton, Miffiin u Co.; Rock
Island, X. Champion,
The many admirers of James r. Fields
and his works viii hail this book with
pleasure; it is just such book as he could
have written himself With none of the
pretentiousness of an extended biography
it covers the interesting points of his
career in most pleasing and familiar
style. To those who have read his works
it win give an added interest in them and
their author, and to those who have not, a
surprise that will convince them of their
past remissness. The book deals with his
every day life, and especially with his
friendships and cordial relations with other
authors, thus opening up wide acquain-
lance. AS far as possible all personal
mention of living friends has been omitted,
anda few poems and extracts from lettersl
where friends may speak for themselves,
have been Incorporated:
Nanny Hitchcock and Her Family by FL. r., with
illustrations by Addie Ledyard. Boston; Roberts
Brothers. Rock Island. r. Champion.
A true story of seventeen cats and
a wonderful story it's. Nanny Title
back is a cat herself and presumably fully
equal to the correct and proper raising OF
a cat family be there seventeen of them.
A little girl however. is introduced into