The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-04

fishing House. Western Branch.
The PETERKIN PAPERS. By Lucretia p. Hale.
A new edition, revised and enlarged, uni
form with "Davy and the Goblin" Square
4to. $1.50. Boston: Ticknor d Co.
The "Peterkin Papers" are stories of gen.
Jus; their fun is out of the ordinary, new
and fresh, and happy is the household that
can appreciate and enjoy it. Originally con-
tributed to "Our Young Folks and est.
Nicholas" the Peterkip family became widely
known. We have in these papers the we'll
known stories of the unfortunate Mrs. Peter
kin who put salt in her coffee, and the sapient
Solomon John, and Agamemnon, and Eliza
beth Eliza, and the two little boys with rub
ber-boots, who have become familiar charac-
tiers in thousands of happy households. In
1880 these irresistibly and demurely funny
stories were brought out in book form; and
they have since passed through several edi-
tons. In response to the continued demand,
Ticknor & Co. have just prepared the above
noted edition, which will take conspicuous
place among the holiday books for children
and lovers of children. The cover is adorned
with vivid representations of Mrs. Peterkin
and her coffee, the struggle of the Peterkin
family with their summer resort trunk, and
the memorable rubber-boots. Several of the
capital full page illustrations made by Att
wood for the earlier editions have been re-
drawn for this work; and there are also two
hundred entirely new pictures. The new
edition is enriched by hitherto unpublished
- fha Of
the most mirthful of the entire series. "The
Peterkin Papers" were written by Miss Lu-
cretia P. Hale, the sister of Edward Everett
Hale, and the genius of that family is here
found to blossom out anew.
For many years the December issues of
Harper's Nigga zine have been distinguished
by an unusual wealth of choice reading and
pictures, with special emphasis upon Christ
mas subjects. Rich as have been the previ-
Gus numbers. the one for this year stands
easily at the head of all the goodly company
that for nearly forty years have entertained
| and enlightened innumerable readers. 1t is
| a royal banquet of refreshing variety, with
sturdy staples, rare novelties, and delicious
dainties worthy of the generous holiday
saint. Everything is complete in itself, the
serials being omitted from this number. Be-
side the strongest attraction of "The Boy
hood of Christ" by the author of "Ben- Hur, "
the Howell's farce, 'The Mouse-Trap," Glib
sons delightful "Wood Notes." and the
bounteous departments Of confidential dis
course, of literary judgment, and of over
flowing humor, presided over by the geniuses
of G. w. Curtis, w. D. Howells, and @. D.
Warner, we are RECALLED with six short stories
flour of them beautifully illustrated), and
five illustrated poems. Notwithstanding the
unparalleled richness of this number, we are
assured by the publishers that it is only a
Christmas form of the exalted standard which
will be uniformly maintained throughout the
year; and the magnificent prospectus detail
ing the coming treasures gives a splendid
promise of the volume begun by this number.
'Lincoln as Soldier, Surveyor, and Politi-
cian," the title of the second installment of
the Authorized Life of Lincoln, appears in
the December Century. This portion of the
history contains further details of Lincoln's
life at New Salem description of the voy-
age of The TaIisnlan; full account of Lin
coins experience in the Black Hawk War;
Lincoln's unsuccessful canvass for the Legis-
lature; his experiences as store-keeper and
postmaster as well as surveyor; his subse-
quent legislative experience; his first meeting
with Stephen A. Douglas; the description of
the Bedlam legislation in Illinois in 1836'37,
in which the youthful Lincoln took part; and
the Lincoln Stone protest. The illustrations
include, among other things, picture of the
cabin where Lincoln's father died; portrait
of Mention Graham, the schoolmaster, fac
smile of Lincoln's exercise book; a portrait
of Ebenezer Peck; the Indian chief, Black
Hawk; the Hon. o. II. Browning; Judge
Stephen L. Logan; Elijah p. Lovejoy; and the
Hon. John j. Stuart. There are also a num-
Der of fac-similes of interesting documents,
among them a road-survey in the autograph
of Lincoln himself.
"The Message of the Blue Bird" by Miss
Irene E. Jerome, of Chicago, the author of
the charming "Sketch Book" and of ''Nat-
ure's Hallelujah," published by Messrs. Lee
! q Shepard, Boston, in its new binding is one
of the daintiest combinations of song and
illustration ever published, exhibiting in a
marked degree the fine poetic taste and won
derfully artistic touch, which render this
authors works so popular. The pictures are
exquisite, and the verses exceedingly grace.
full, appealing to the highest sensibilities.
The little volume ranks among the choicest
of holiday souvenirs, and is beautiful and
! pleasing.