The age-herald., 1897-12-12

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 As it is in fiction for "grown-ups," so il is in the popular works for the little folks; the young female of the human species, as a recent writer puts 1t, seems to be rather out of favor just now. Pub fishers evidently regard her with as cold an eye as the Chinese do sheir unwel- come daughters.
 Unfor.unata little maids who orce gained admit,ance are denied now that the boy star has arisen. It is she day of the glorious human boy in fiction; his childhood his adventures and all that fills his young life with teeming inter- est, we now find crewding the pages of ,he varied assortment of books for the young folks. Thus giving their readers a healthy, honest, direct view of life, it is best for them to lead.
 If we direct some attention to she popular books for young folks, we will find that the publishers spare no pains nor expense in securing the very bsst in .he way of work. The foremost and most popular authors of the day have not won the entire heart of the great reading public until they have written
 
 as charmingly instructive books for children. They command good prices, too, for the best illustrators are put to work upon them, and when turned over to the appreciaive reader they seem to be all that genius. skill ard artistic taste can secure And if we may judge by the class of books that are prepared for the young folks today, i. is safe to pre- dict for their readers a well-stored mind, robust and well rounded. with a taste refined and cultivated for pure, heroic work.
 While thise youthful heroes, senti- mental Tommy, Harry Cheyne and Barty Josselin are marching triumphant ly through current literature a little dream-Iike child of Elizabethan days fur niSheS anoth=r charming portrait for our boygallery, as well as a distinct addf- tion to our store of Shakespearan Etera- Iture.
 This is will Shakeepeares Little Lad by Imogs Clark, an attractive book all together.
 Miss Clark has studied carefully the life and customs of the period and is giv- ing US the family home in Stratford and the life of the little hero "Hammet'' to- gsther with abundant local coloring of the quiet English landscape, she has ac- complished picturesque work, sure to please all Shakespal-lan lovers.
 
 It would be a bitter year, ind dsed for the boys if MT. Henty were to fail them with a fresh assortment of his enthrall- ing tales of adventure for as no less an authority than the London Acadsmy has said in this kind of storytelling, "he stands in the very first rank" "A March on London" details s-me stirring scenes rTx.1... .,fe fIrNr crew tolol procession of that city. His hat st and one of his best is With Fred ericl the Cheat" a tale of the seven years war, with twelve page illustrations by Walter Paget. This work is written in a fascinating style, full of inter st and information which will no doubt appeal to older readers as well.
 The name of Napoleon never fails to command the attention of youthful ad- mirers, they like to read of his stirring life of hts genius and military skill. "The Boy Life of Napoleon" s recent addition to lIbarature. The author, Mad anne Eugenie Foa has been favorfte in French homes for more than a gen eration. Forty years ago she was the most popular writer of historical store and six stches, especially designed fer the boys and girls of Fran1e. Her tone is pure, her morals are higher, her telch- ings are direct and effectiye; in addi- ition she has historical accuracy and dramatic achion. The book is splndid- ly illustrated and VII not fail 10 give the reader a clear glimpse into the life and career of the great Napoleon.
 One of th, most charming books im- aginable is Royal Children Of Engaish History" by E. Nesb.t. From the press be said of the Illustrations and full page colored portraits. It is superb. The author says in her opening lin, S, ''When I was very. very little, I hated history more than all my other lessons put together, because had to learn it out of a horrid littls book. called some body's "Outlines of English History and it seemed to be all the names of kings and the dates of battles This is true but surely things have changed since i've" w.re little boys and girls, for it's my experience thal. children now simply devour these books of biography and history; and no wonder. for they are so delightfully."- written they cannot fail to entertain even while they Tn. struct and informZ'ook into Royal Children" and be convinced.
 Fylbridge Brooks. tn Tine Century Book elf the American Revolution, has put to- ge,ther a host of interesting facts about battlegroundis and heroes. By the way, how can school h!,ito!ieCs compete with
 
 text and pictures TO book could do more to make the revolusion a r'eahty, instead of a school task.
 Silmflar resuhtJ ars eiairef through such books as Young Heroes of Our Navy" thls I3iscst volume being Conn modore Painb.idge," by Jsnets Barnes. one of the connodore's desc and ants. To know tine achievements of the Amsrfcan navy will insure patfdcitiSm in amy Amer- icsn boy.
 Hezelk,9h Butterworlth has added 'ta his splendid work 8 simple lie of Franklin, eni tiled "Tru'a to ITS Home" which goes over the old ground, but ifs "a satisfactory treatmeGs5 of the subject.
 Holiday season without "a new thfmble finger book from MT. Joel Chandler liar rfs would be a sorry fact for thous'an 's of young folks 0and for f,rI1ny clds- on s. tool, who recall the good time they have had for threts years over Lit le Mir. Tlnimb'efnger ard his queer country, MT Rabbit al. Hcne and JIncne Remrs. Fortunately. they flave a 'treat in f'tere for them this year. MT. Harris ,lslrS The story of Aaron in dihe Wflldwon1s while he was Ihiding from "Old Grizzley'' wi.h "Grurter. the Pig" Tf'sre are qualit'e' s,, tbfr boolx 1av0n,j f1a pna,Sn of anv