The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-12-13

birthday, Christmas, Valentines Day,
Thanksgiving and other most interest,"
ing occasions. No only is the tone OF
this child's book excellent, but 1t has
the real little folks ring. The children
are children, and talk and behave ike
individuals of six and eight, not accord
ing to the manners, habits and standards
of their elders
Dear Miss Sylvia. Aunt Mary says you
know a lady who has cats. My dear cat
is dead. | cried a CRETE deel. Plese l
like torer-shel best. Plese send enc
with out sharp clors il you can.
Your loyeing,
Afternoon tea, cats and kittens, the
process of juvenile shopping, a bit of
goodness to children less favored, are
here set forth with no can't and great
deal of fun. The big-brother tease has
boundless good nature; and Molly's own
unselfshness and bright, appealing ways
furnish a far better lesson by showing
what she says and does straight from her
baby heart, than pages of advice and
chapters of decorum. Boston and New
York Houghton, Mifflin & Company;
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmon.
Price $1,000
The Christmas Hirelings. A novel by
ME-. Braddon, author of Joshua Hag-
CARDS Daughter, The Venetians. etc.
illustrated. The author tells US that her
aim in this volume mas been t. write a
story which shall interest children aud
grown up people as well. We claim that
this cannot be done to any such success
full extent as is generally thought posi-
BILE. The best child's story will interest
adults. the finest hook for their elders
will draw many juvenile readers. But
the book for both is not the perfect speci
men for either. If Miss Braddon had
omitted her preface altogether, also her
description of an unhappy marriage, and
had not called her book "novel, Yin
short had given us Moppet and Penlyon
Place and it's adjuncts only, we should
have had here an ideal child's story. AS
it is, readers young and old will miss
something not to have known "Uncle
Tom,n "Lassie and Laddie," Sir John,
whose heart Moppet stormed, creeping
into the citadel by postern gate," and
the loving reunion and things as-they-
should be close. 1t is charming story,
and based upon the truest of Christmas
principles-"if not our own little child
rem, then those of Others Both original
and attractive, it will find may readers.
New York: Harper & Brothers; Port
land Loring, Short & Harmon. Price
$1.25.)
The Play Actress, by SIR. Crockett,
author of The Raiders, etc., etc., with
an illustration, has also child for it's
central figure and groups about her SO
much that is dramatic and fitted to stir
one to the depths that here again we
have something about child, not for
a child's own reading matter. But how
blithe and bonny is the little creature,
and how, in reading this sketch, do we
realize anew that it is the little hands
that bind and break the strongest bonds!
We give the dedication.
"To Sir John Cowan, of Beeslack, Bart.
Dear Sir John. 1t cheered me that
man revered by years and OF approx Ell
wisdom should care for my child's love
tale. Will you accept of it from me, not
for what it is; but for what is behind it?
SIR. CROCKETT
Girzie of the Manse, describing the
Great Preachers first experience in bye
low, putting Allie to sleep by singing,
"Kaitie Bairdie had coo
Black and white ABBOTT the moo;
Wasna that dainty COO?
Dance, Katie Bairdie,"
is worthy of Pet Marjorie and Sir Walter.
The little book is a gem. The Great
Preacher once known through these
modest pages will never be forgotten;
and if the story brings tear which will
not be denied, the quaint wit and sweet
ness of the recital will put it to hard
chase by sunny smiles. New York: G.
P. Putnam's Sons; Portland: Loring,
Short & Harmon. Price $1.00.)