New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-11
CHRISTMAS BOOKS.
READING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

| book fascinating from beginning 10 emu 10
| Kirk Munroe's Golden Days of 49' (Dodd'
Meade d CO... 1t tells in vigorous English, put
without eXagGeratiOn, the story OF successlui
search for mysterious Golden Valley Villains
harass the searchers and make of with thelr
| find but are cleverly punished in the emu
| The rough and lawless features of California HE
| in the early god-hunting days give scope Tor Il
mont deal Of picturesque and stirring writing.
and Mr. Munroe has made excellent use OF Ms
onportunities 1t is one of the most entertaining
and creditable of holiday books, and deserves
better illustrations than those which mar the
narrative. "Thorndyle Manor cScrbner Wei
ford by Mary c. Rowsell. is tale of Jacobte
times. and foolish one Motive for the wlckedneSS
described is SO imrerfectly shown that it be-
| comes ridiculous and the most tragic episode oil
the booll-thc State trial for treason Of the hero
| * rendered absurd by Il lecture which his sister
| delivers unlimited 10 Judges and spectators. In
such matters as these il is worth while 10 ne
accurate when writing historical tales
for the reading of young people
Mrs Richards, a ghter of Mrs. julia ward
Howe has written in Queen llildeglrde
Estes Il Laurat a delightful story for girls
Idegarde Graham is young girl, loved and
INDUCED who is the way to become as
frivolous as the schoolmateS whose 1attery l.
based on her worldly possessions. A summer IN
the country with household OF simple ana
genuine people teaches her some admirable les
sons, to which her really noble nature responds,
and the last page leaves with us the memory OF
very winning little heroine. The finding OF
box Of buried treasure gives romantic interest 10
the story Luke Walton Porter ~ Coates, by
Horato Alger, jr., is story of good fortune fol-
lowing upon upright conduct. II is a simple
narrative without literary ornament.
In One of the 28th Tale of Waterloo
lScribner & Welfordl, Mr.. Henty sends his young
hero TO fight bravely at Waterloo. Meanwhile
he causes the boys mother to go through an eX-
perence requiring much more nerve, in her sue
cessful search for will which gives them prop
erty that has been wrongfully withheld.
4. T. O. Els latest book, Pictures of st.
Peter in an English Home" II. Nelson IL Sons,
presents in series of alternate chapters the Bib
lical arguments which converted the son of noble
English family from Roman Catholicism to Protest
antism. This conversion involves the loss OF
favor of the youths ducal uncle, hut all turns
out comfortably i'm the end This well-mcaning
book has one humorous touch in the indignation
expressed by the lady who is the means Of the
herO's conversion when she finds that her young
daughter is reading Catholic book which he has
to remember that she is doing exactly what She
bames the young for seeming to do. " The
Loss of John Humble Scribner Il Welford is
story by G. Norway pparently "A translation from
the Morse, though there is nothing to show this
beyond the internal evidence. II is thoroughly
manly story and one which cannot but stir 4
line duty and. honor. The chapters dealing
wit nf clyed M
the and ice of northern ATTITUDES are full
Of thrilling situations.
"Wilfred,7 by \. Il. Winthrop (AnsOn ID. +.
Randolph 4 CO.., is the book which Mrs. Burnett
is supposed to have plagiarized in her story of
Little Lord Fauntleroy" There are suggestions
of similarity in the plot and IN q detail or two,
but the handling Of the two stories is SO different
that il is hardly worth while to build up a charge
of pla giarism. Wilfred7 is so inferior a book
that only this charge could have given it promi-
nence. That each Of the tgo little heroes wears
"a suit of cream -colored flannel and red sash is
not particularly important detail. An i'm
partial world will be apt TO lave the two fair
authors 10 fight out the question between them
selves I'm " Joe Bcntly" ID. Lothrop Coz. H. II.
Clark of the Navy, continues the story Of the
life of naval cadet, begun in former volume
under another title 1t deserves a. much popu-
larity as that won by It's predecessor for it is
bright, fresh and inspiring book.
The volume Of Colonel T. W. Knoxs sue
ceSsful Boy Travellers series appears under the
title Of The Boy Travellers in Mexico dlarper
* Brothers.) This. like his former volumes offers
a valuable store Of information pleasantly and
simply conveyed. 1t is in reality history of
the country combined with description of her
present condition.
The Girls Own Outdoor Book" ID. b. Lippin.
colt Coz is an English work which we are glad
10 zee rcpublished i'll this country. 1t gives prac-
tical sensible and sufficient instructions in the
pleasantest and most hcalthful amusements from
horseback riding 80 photography IT suggests many
WAYS of getting fun and keeping busy in holiday
times; H. teaches the arts Of travelling, garden
iup and botanizing. 1t is hard TO say what wise