New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-13
DESIRABLE BOOKS TO PURCHASE.
THE FINE HOLIDAY CATALOGUE OF THE
MACMILLAN COMPANY.

Some OF the most desirable books Especially to
those who look for artistic effects with the liter
ary presents they select that Christmas purchas-
ers have at their disposal this year are the re-
cent publications Of the widely known Macmillan
Company They readable books and books Of
fine literary worth, but the feature about them
which Is first to attract attention is the scholarly
finish which marks their general appearance
A new and dainty edition Of Boswelrs Life Of
johnson" IL an illustration of this fact. 1t comes
in six 16mo. Volumes bound in CLOTH with
rough edges and gilt top 1t is edited by
Augustine Birre and illustrated with five photo
lavures from the work Of Alexander Ansted. An
other admirable edition is that Of Brownings
works in two volumes. bound IN dark green cloth
With gilt stamp. An excellent portrait OF the poet
and the fac-simile Of his autograph are features
Of the volume. Four editions Of standard
works which appear in the Crawford series are
also worthy OF note Tho first OF these. Irvings
THE Alhambra." is illustrated with about 20
black-and-white drawings by Joseph Pennell
which go toward making the volume a literary
treasure II also contains introduction by Eliz-
abeth Robins Penne The ordinary edition comes
In crown octave. either full gilt or with uncut
edges and paper label. The firm also publishes
limited edition on super-royal handmade paper.
with twelve extra Autograph proofs. This
s!sts Of 500 copies. half OF which TO be sold In
England and half in this country. The other three
volumes are THE History Of Henry Esmond." by
Thackeray (Which the novelist thought his best
work and Anthony Trollope called the best novel
ever written) edited by Joseph Jacobs. illustrated
BY T. II. Robinson, crown octave volume. full
gilt; Thomas Hughess immortal story, TON
Browns School Days" a crown octave volume.
bound in CLOTH full gilt and illustrated with eighty
pictures by Edmund j. Sullivan. and Sheridan's
The School for Scandal" and Tho Rivals" This
last book contains an Introduction by Augustine
Birrel and Is illustrated by fifty OF f. j. Suii-
vans clever pen-and-ink sketches which admir-
3 ably carry out the spirit OF the work A limited
edition Of this work. on handmade paper. is also
published by the Arm. 1t consists of $50 copies. to
be sold In England and this country.
Among the most prominent of the new Macmillan
publications, however is The Castles Of England:
her Story and Structure by Sly James d. Mac
.kAnze This work records the history and descrip-
ton Of all the English castles. Of which there are
about 900. and is written In entertaining style The
author has aimed to produce a trustworthy refer
ence book. in which the investigator may find all
the Information accessible In regard to every caste-
lated dwelling built In England from the time Of
tne Conquest TIL the reign Of Henry VIII. Pointed
narratives Of the incidents of Importance which are
associated with these old stone mansions add to the
interest which their description has for the reader.
ana Views OF many OF the castles from splendidly
reproduced photogravures prove valuable supple
ments TO Sir James's accounts. The number OF
Iul-page plates is forty and there arc moro than
80 Illustrations In tho text The two volumes OF the
book also include more than seventy clearly drawn
Pans They elegantly bound In dark green
cloth. imperial octave with gilt stamp. uncut edges
and gilt tops. The book Is dedicated to the Queen
Another work which recalls events Of early Eng
lish history in different style Is "A Book Of Old
English Ballads" compiled by Hamilton w. Mabe.
the Editor Of THE Outlook" whose acquaintance
With the literature Of England's youthful days Is
extensive and thorough. The poems are prefaced
ny an introd Icton by Mr.. Mabie who points out.
among other things. that the floating and some
times mythical literature from which the material
OF the book is drawn is to be found almost always
IN country localities. where It keeps its existence
from one generation to another. being passed down
oay BY word Of mouth in many cases The quaint
style Of these ballads Is attractive and should WIN
mem way into the favor Of American readerh
several OF them well known. however mat
famous ballad Of sentiment. 1.-THE Nut-Brown
Aaid is one Of them. ana among tho others arc
chevy Chace." King Cophetua and the Beggar
maid" "Philda and Corydon." Fair Rosamond.
Robin Hood and Alen-a-Dale." The Fause Lover
snd THE Banks OF Yarrow." Tho book Ii Illus
uated with fifty decorative head and tail pieces
snd twenty nine full-page plates printed In color.
v vnese clever illustrations tho work OF george
nc ndeity which his work shows to the sprirt OF
sns ballads The ordinary edition OF this book -
Ths s Hcnnd IN cloth with git stamp ana s rsSs2
sS. paper and limited to 100 copies It makes
~ on the Breads" is the title OF Anna Bowman
s Cvods new book. which is devoted chiefly to land
ssaPe description. 1t Ii admirably illustrated WIN
zones In small quarto, printed In Norfolk type
Ana bound In cloth. with gilt stamp. uncut edges
William Winter is represented in the holiday pub
sHscations Of the Macmillan Company by new edi:
& 6co.ot nie Gray Days and Gold. In England ana