Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-27
LITERARY NOTES.
Some Holiday Books.

| able Tor holiday present as choice book ,-one
which combines literary excellence with artistic
illustrations and tasteful Typography and bind
fng.-the publishers have this year fairly out
done all previous efforts, not only In the num-
Der Of desirable books to choose from, but also
as to the manner in which they are gotten up.
Realizing, too, that the best buyers are apt to
make their purchases early in the season, when
there Is both fuller stock to examine and a
better opportunity to select deliberately, on ac-
count Of less crowded store rooms the leading
houses have taken the precaution to send out
their most attractive publications at an early
date, and already the counters of the principal
DOCK stores are presenting most tempting ar
ray. In no year, indeed, has the display Of hand
some and valuable books been so large as now !;
and those who cannot find something In that
line to please their taste must be captious rather
than sincere in their search after the beautiful
and the good
In respect to amplitude Of page, width Of mar
gin. legibility Of type, quality of paper and
wealth of illustration. the oblong folio edition
OF LOngfellow's "Evangeline" with full-page
wood engravings from drawings by F. o. c.
barley published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co,
and received through Robert BealD, is perhaps
the most notable book Of its class that has been
given to the people of any country during the
year. Of the almost perfect poem itself, Of
course nothing remains to be said; ii has taken
Its place long since among the classics; but Of
the manner in which the publishers have done
their part hardly too much can be said, did space
allow extended notice. In typographical exc
cution 1t Is all that could be desired, while the
artists characteristic drawings fifty illustrate
the principal scenes and incidents of the poem
from Its opening to the close The volume is
uniquely and attractively bound In paper made
to Initiate the yellow leather tanned from allga-
tor skin, the sides being trimmed close and
square all around, and stitched through at the
back with heavy red cord in great block stitches
''Evangeline' as here presented would make an
elegant and suitable gift under almost any cir
cumstances that can be conceived.
In its way nothing could well be finer than ].
r. OsgOod & Co.'s new illustrated edition Of
Scott's Lady of the Lake" received through ].
D. Free. In typographical appearance it fairly
rivals Mr.. Rogers famous edition of his Italy"
which has been the pride of photographers for
the past fifty Yeas, while the numerous Illus
trations show the very perfection OF the art Of
Wood-engraving at its best. These were exc
cuted under the direct supervision Of Mr. A. v.
5. Anthony, who was commissioned by the pub
fishers to visit the Scottish Highlands for tie
express purpose of making on the spot sketches
OF the various scenes portrayed. They of course
show the scenery, etc, as it exists at the pre-
sent day, instead of at the period of the poem,
but the costumes. weapons. and other accessO-
rieS OF the various figure pieces are careful
studies Of we'll authenticated examples of the
time OF its action. The illustrations are there
fore not only interesting and beautiful in them
selves. but they give to this edition Of the popu-
lar poem value not often possessedby volumes
of its class.
1t would be difficult to find more fascinating
| book for boys with a historiomantic turn of
mind, If such term may be used, than "The
Boys Percy" or 'Belt and Spur, two handsome
books recently published by Charles Scribner's
Sons, the former received through Balan-
tynes, the latter through Robert Beall The first
named volume includes the most familiar and
most suitable of the famous ballads from Percy's
''Reliques of Ancient English Poetry" edited by
Sidney Lanier. and creditably illustrated with
fifty original designs by Bensell. The other
comprises seventeen short stories, celebrating
the heroic deeds of William the Conqueror.
Richard Ceur de Lion, Prince Edward, Hot
spur, Henry ", and other famous Knights
and Captains. English, Scottish. and
French. The literary style Of the author
and IT'S period, and an unusual Interest and
value is given to the text by the introduction of
| fac smile reproductions Of quaint medieval
illustrations found among Illuminated manu-
scripts in the British Museum. Both books are
able.
The many admirers of Miss Rosa Hartwick
Thorpe's stirring ballad ''Curfew Must Not Ring
Tonight" will thank the publishers, Messrs.
Lee & Shepard, for bringing 1t out in the hand
some holiday garb in which it appears. The
profuse illustrations by e. 7. Merrill and E. II.
Garrett, drawn and engraved under the compe-
tent supervision of Mr.. George T. Andrews
give interest to the most thrilling passages and
IN a ncf iroh1 Ea~
sale by Morrison.
The same publishers have issued handsomely
illustrated edition OF DR.. Sears well known and
justly popular hymn entitled ''That Glorious
Song of Old" The illustrations, after drawings
by Mr.. Alfred Fredericks, done also under the
supervision of Mr.. Andrews, vary in quality
according to the theme chosen for illustration,
and some of these are rather beyond the reach
OF an artist.
''The Old Oaken Bucket" well deserves the
attractive form In which it is presented by ID.
LOthrop & Co., the well known Boston publish
ing house.. The Illustrations, from drawings by
Miss l.. Humphrey, are uneven In merit but
as whole the book may be classed with those
which are pretty sure to be popular, both with
those who give and those who receive.
Messrs. Lee & Shepard publish (received
through G. A. Whitaker) handsomely Illus
trated edition Of the much quoted section of
TennysOn's 'In Memoriam," beginning 'sRing
Out, Wild Bells" which will be found suitable
for holiday or keepsake present. Each verse
has one or more well-engraved wood-cuts Illus
trating the text, though the connection between
the design and the poets thought is not al
ways clearly apparent A special edition has
been prepared. neatly bound in paper with silk
fringe, after the manner of Christmas cards,
which will be peculiarly acceptable to many,
and especially to young people.
Happy will the little folks be to whom Santa
Claus shall bring copy Of ''Christmas Rhymes
and New Years Chimes" published BY Geo.
w. Harlan & Co., and received through VIM.
Ballantyne d Son. The pretty verses, which
are by Mary d. Brine. author of the popular
little brochure my Boy and I, or On the Road
to Sunderland" are profusely Illustrated
number OF the designs. and some of the best,
being by Miss Jessie McDermott, of this city.
''The Chatterbox," ''The Prize" Boston,
Estes & Lauriat; Washington, w. II. Morrison
and "Our Little Ones, Boston, Lee Shepard;
Washington, G. A. Whitaker,) for 1882, bound
In attractive form. will each make most
acceptable Christmas token for the younger
members of any household. The matter and
v,ict Eo fort ipip