New-York tribune., 1891-12-19
HOLIDAY PUBLICATIONS.

us It has the quaint atmosphere of the period
and the place in which its scene is set. but it
deals also with those traits of humanity which
are the same in all times and all places, and
which ever commend themselves TO the imagi-
nation of the reader. George Sand doubtless had
Crawford" in mind when she said TO Lord Hough-
ton concerning Mrs GaskeIl She has done what
none of us could do; she has written novels which
excite the deepest interest in men of the world.
and yet which every girl will be the better for
reading What n procession of amusing and
pathetic figures rise before at sight OF that
magic title of "Cranford" all OF them giving pre-
cedence TO that most tender and winning little
being dear Miss Matty" Dear she is, and will
always reman-the one woman In fiction who, IN
the unthinking simplicity of goodness, is the
feminine type of Colonel Newcome. One would
like to imagine the meeting of those two pure
spirits in some realm Of fantasy!
We know now how Quakery pretty and
demure was the outer guise Of that little
ancient maiden, for Hugh Thomson has
placed her before with what we feel must
be absolute truth. 1t happy thought
TO select Crawford" as the successor Of the
"Vicar of Wakefield" in his series Of illustrated
English classics and he is as fortunate in his
publishers as in his choice of books. The Mac
millans have brought out the little book in the
most attractive fashion, Mr.. Thomson's drawings
being reproduced with fastidous delicacy and
beauty of line. All and more of the humor with
which the artist delighted us in his Vicar" is
TO he seen in these drawings-look, for eX-
ample, at that quaint sketch of little Miss Matty
smiling with bland satisfaction at her visitor
from under the shadow of her best cap perched
atop the everyday one she has forgotten TO re-
move. Sec the--but why go on to name
this sketch or that ?-they all delightful. Mrs.
Anne Thackeray Ritchie contributes to the volume
a preface, finished and graceful as her work al
ways is.
Estes & Lauriat have brought out an edition in
two handsome volumes of Bulwer's Rienzi" This
Romanesque Edition" is enriched with numer.
Gus illustrations of the Roman scenes with which
the story is associated. A Pempeiian Edition"
of the same novelists Last Days of Pompei is
issued by the same publishers. 1t is illustrated
by Pompeiian sketches Both editions are admir-
able in print and binding.
Many book-lovcr, hunting among the vol
umes on the booksellers tables, will feel thrill
Of old-time interest and amusement in coming upon
the new editions of Miss POrters Scottish Chiefs"
and Regina ROches "Children of the Abbey"
How many boys and girls have wept over the
of the splendid Wallace and those of the
unhappy Amanda Malvina Fitzalan There is
time in early youth when these books evoke q
"luXury of wOe' which no well-conducted young
person should miss Therefore it is pleasure to
welcome The very neat editions-each in two vol
umes-whch A. c. McClurg & Co. have brought
eut The same publishers have issued equally
attractive editions of other standard works of
fction-of Charles Auchester of "Wlhelm
Meister," and of - DR.. Antonio, most charming
of Italian novels.
Those refined and poetic romances Of Shake
speare's women, which Mary Cowden- Clarke
gave us long ago under the title of The Girl
hood of Shalespeare's Herolncs' have remained
desired and beloved Of two generations of readers.
A new edition has been much needed and this has
just been issued in five handsome volumes by A. c.
Armstrong d Son. Better than this, the edition
contains third series of tales never before pub
lished in this country. The volumes are illus
trated in photogravuTe and are introduced by q
new preface from the of their venerable author
The beautiful little volume of Lowelrs Odes.
Lyrics, and SOnnets" which Houghton Mifiin
& Co. bring out is among the most tasteful of
this seasons books. As choice in the dainti-
ness Of its makeup is their illustrated edition
of Whittiers "Snow-Bound," prefaced by an ex-
ceent portrait Of the author.
Porter & Coates send us an illustrated edition
in three volumes of Carlyle's French Revolt
tion.' 1t is well and clearly printed-though on
somewhat thin paper-and is of size very con-
venent for handling
Mr.. F. II. Potters translation of George Sands
novel, The Countess Rudolstadt," has besn pub
lished in two handsome volumes by Dodd, Mead
d Co. fine portrait of the author faces the
title page Of the first volume
Marcus Ward x Co. issue volume of "Selec-
tions from Burns, ornamented with tinted illus
trations and oddly bound in Scotch plaid
g. ManviDe Fem, as writer Of novels for grown
people, has made no very startling success: but 10
should he said Of his books for boys that they are as
a rule manly in tone and uncOmmOnly interesting
g Burr Junior" BrentanO) is a lively story of
English scloOboy life. 1t is full OF moving acci
dents Of wrongs rglged and njustces explained. In
The Crystal Hunters" ID. Appleton q Coz Mr..
Fem takes lS character through divers exciting
adventures in the Alps and in "syd Befon" Cd.
Appleton & Coz he offers Od-fashloned English
sea-sory, sparkling with all the stirring episodes
which we are accustomed 10 expect in such book
obstruction blent with amusement is to be found
In al Mr.. F. A. Obers &" Knockatout Club" books,
and in none more than in his lates volume. The
KnOckabout Club the Spanish Mans Estes d
Lauiist The lore Of the historian and che naturalist
SAye been alike drawn upon for wisdom and for fun
In Mr. ButterwOrths new volume OF "ZigZag Jour
neyss estes & Laurla lie escorts his travellers TO
Australia and not only entertains them but fills them
with valuable political and sociological information.
The publishers bring out usual volume
of "The Little ones Annual" the prettlest possible
collection of stories poems and pictures for the small
people too young TO read themselves.
There is wild fantastic illogicallty about Sr. John
Kendrlck Bangs,s "Tddledywink Tales that makes
them delightful not only to the little people but to
the grown-up, ordered TO read 'em loud" 1t
makes no difference that Lewis Carroll should have
written a-many years ago. in the cratic vein;
without asserting that Mr.. Bangs has become rival
TO the oxford Don, we may congratulate him upon