like prose. But, perhaps, many of these blemishes arise from a faulty translation.”

66

66

Really, Master Arthur," said the Editor, pleasantly, you talk quite like an experienced critic; and from what I have seen of the book, I think your judgment is an extremely accurate one. Dutch tulips, for which hundreds of pounds have sometimes been paid, though very brilliant when growing on their native soil, generally degenerate when transferred to our country: so, I think it is but fair to conclude, that Van Alphen's muse has been shorn of half its charms, by being put into an English garb. Still, the book will please most young people who can procure it. Perhaps Arthur will oblige us by reading one or two short pieces as examples of the rest. There is one on 'Idleness,' which it will be well for us all to cherish in our memories and hearts." The intelligent little fellow read as follows:

"Time to good account be turning,
To be idle is a crime;

Praying, writing, reading, learning,
Sport and labour have their time.

Mother dear is never willing
To allow mere idle sport;
Wasting time, she calls time-killing,
And our life, how very short!";

"The next is entitled 'The Swallows,' and is intended to teach us how all God's creatures set us an example of happy industry."

"Ned could not well repress a sigh, When first to school he forth did sally,

A something made him dilly dally,

And with his hand outstretched he gazed up to the sky.

He saw the merry swallow thro' the bright sky flitting,

And sighed, That's a pleasure something like my taste befitting.'

A man just passing by that way,

Heard sighing Ned these few words say.

He went up where our scholar stood,

And laughing, asked, 'But have you never taken heed,

That they are catching flies wherewith their young to feed,

That else would die for want of food?

You call that only sport, but that is not quite right;

A lesson you may learn from this instructive sight.
Their very rapid mode of flying,

A wise example here supplying

That with true cheerfulness your tasks you should pursue,
And that it shocking looks when you are forced thereto.'
'I'll off to school,' said Ned, 'I'll think of them and you.'"

64

The Editor now took up a series of nine tracts, * with neat ornamented glazed wrappers; and found, on inquiry, that they had been perused with deep interest and gratification by nearly all the young folks present. There appeared to be but one feeling with respect to these charming little narratives and storiettes, and that was one of high appreciation. They are among the best told tales for the young which I have ever read," said Florence. "I am never weary of reading them," added Ernest. "And I shall be very much disappointed, indeed, if the publisher forgets to send the fresh ones as soon as they come out," chimed in Agnes. "To which I say, Amen," chorused several other voices. Where all are so beautiful, it seems almost invidious to single out any one for preference; but if we gathered the general sentiment aright, we are inclined to think that the "Poor Indian" and the "Flower Girl" were decidedly the favourites. The first reminds us of that touching work of Mrs. Sherwood's, entitled "Henry and his Bearer." It is the story of a Hindoo servant who was employed, at Madras, in an English family, to watch over and carry about a little girl. He was wedded to his idols, which deeply grieved his childish mistress. By her entreaties he was induced to submit to Christian instruction, and his heart was soon won by the story of the Cross. In the midst of his newly-found happiness, his sweet little charge, to whom he had now become unspeakably attached, was taken ill, and was ordered to England. After her departure, he grew restless and unhappy, and resolved to follow her to the land of strangers. He did so, working his way over to England in a vessel; and after wearying himself in quest of his lost treasure, they are providentially brought together, to their mutual astonishment and delight. We advise all our young readers to treat themselves with these little tracts.

A fine, cherub-faced little fellow, who had not yet spoken, now thrust forward a prettily got-up elementary book, bearing the title of "PICTURE LESSONS FOR BOYS ANnd Girls.Ӡ It has been translated and adapted from the French by Charles Baker, a writer already favourably known to juvenile readers by several excellent productions. The work was originally prepared for the use of the deaf and dumb, and will, therefore, be found particularly simple. It consists of

* Issued by the "English Monthly Tract Society," 27, Red Lion Square, and published by J. F. Shaw, 36, Paternoster-row, London. London: Wertheim & Macintosh.

short, pithy, expressive sentences, suited to the comprehension of young children; and almost every page contains a fresh subject, which is illustrated with a wood-cut. Beside the frontispiece, there are no fewer than one hundred and ten engravings-a fact which is no small recommendation to the child who loves pictures-and where is the boy or girl who does not? The subjects of these simple artistic sketches are such as the following:-The Hunchback, the Handsome Man, the Dainty Boy, the Idle and the Industrious Boys, the Sulky Child, the Forgiving Child, the Careless Shepherd, and so on. All the little critics agreed that the book was very pleasant, instructive, and amusing.

But the literary lion of the evening was reserved for the conclusion of the sitting. Every eye was turned with marked eagerness towards Florence, one of the oldest girls present, as she produced a handsome square volume, with a richly gilt emblematic device on its side, enclosing the title, "THE MARTYR LAND; OR, TALES OF THE VAUDOIS."*

"This," said she, enthusiastically, "is, almost without exception, the most spirit-stirring and enthralling work that I have ever read. There cannot be, within the whole range of human history, a subject more fraught with tragic incidents than the terrible persecutions endured for centuries by this remarkable people. And the sorrowful, yet in one sense glorious, story is told by the author in such a striking manner, that if read out to a company of children, no one can listen to the recital with indifference or apathy. This I have found by actual experience. I never before knew a work the recital of which so completely masters the sympathies of the hearers, and keeps up their interest unflaggingly to the close."

"I am glad to hear you express so warm a eulogium upon the volume," said the Editor; "as I think it is fully deserving of it. It is very pleasing to see the change that is gradually coming over the juvenile literature of our country; and greatly are both parents and their offspring indebted to the publishers to whose enterprise we owe this healthful improvement in the quality of the mental food provided for the young. The great events of history, the biographies of eminent men and women, and the more interesting facts of science, are now made familiar to all capacities."

"Yes," added Mrs. M., "and not only so, but the great practical lessons which are to be learned from the lives, the

* Grant & Griffith, St. Paul's Churchyard.

sufferings, or the sins of those who have long passed away, are inculcated with remarkable skill. This is the case especially in the work now under review. As you all know, my dear young friends, there is a most delightful piece of family history, in its daily and hourly occurrences, running along side by side with the sad narrative of Vaudois' suffering and heroism. And it is gratifying to see how the example of the different characters who figure in the story is made to exert an influence for good on the tempers and dispositions of the little folks at the Devonshire Grange."

"It is just the book to put into the hands of such young people as may require to be confirmed in their attachment to Protestantism," remarked the Editor.

"Oh," exclaimed Florence; "I shall never forget the horrible treacheries and cruelties of the Roman Catholics as

long as I live! A religion that can encourage such inhumanity, duplicity, and falsehood, as they were guilty of -not once or twice merely-but constantly and habitually for many centuries, cannot be from God. But the most wonderful thing of all is, to read how a handful of poor, half starving men were able again and again to put hundreds and even thousands of their wicked enemies to flight. It seemed to me as if the old Bible times were happening over again, for the victories of the Vaudois were as astonishing as anything we read of in the sacred Scriptures."

"True, my dear; and that was so because the God of the Jews was also the God of the Vaudois."

"Nothing surprised me more," said Ernest, "than the sudden defeat of a great army of the Catholics by the child beating the drum. What a little hero he must have become

after this exploit !"

"I was quite as much amused," interrupted Agnes, "by that funny story of the women carrying off the monks on their backs, because it was unlawful for the men to touch priests or ecclesiastics." And the little creature laughed again with great glee at the memory of the scene.

"I am so in love with the book," said Arthur, "that I hope the lady who wrote it will soon fulfil the promise which she has made."

"What promise do you refer to, dear?"

"To give us a similar history of the persecutions of the French Protestants."

"And so do I," shouted all. And with this the editorial conference ended.