Books and Periodicals

Kyzie Dunlee-A Golden Girl," by Sophie May, author of "Little Prudy," 'Dotty Dimple, etc., etc. Illustrated. Lee & Shepard, publishers, Boston. A C. McClurg & Co., Chicago.

Sophie May's children series are masterpieces in their line, and young and old alike find keen delight in their charming pages. "Little Prudy's children" series has already given us "Wee Lucy" and "Jimmy Boy," and now we have "Kyzie Dunlee"-the brightest, frankest, breeziest narrative that one could ask. Of course, that is what one expects and gets from Sophie May; equally of course, the reader's pleasure is quite as keen with each new book. The stories deal so affectionately, so reasoningly with child-growth that the character of each little one comes forth like a flower in springtime and refreshes all who read, as well as suggesting to many a parent, we hope, the means of maintaining their children's obedience through love, instead of through fear. As Sophie May tells them, we are only too happy to listen to each tiniest detail of the lives of the little folk, for they prove interesting and amusing in the extreme-as may all child lives if sympathetically studied. [Price 75 cents.]

The complete novel in the December issue of Lippincott's is the "Old Silver Trail," by Mary E. Stickney. It deals with Colorado mining life, with strikes, plots, and various underground proceedings, as well as with scenery and mountain breezes. The scene of "Bennet's Partner," by James Knapp Reeve, is in a wild and lonesome part of the great West, which lends itself naturally to exciting adventures. Harry Stillwell Edwards, in a striking tale, shows "Where the Clues Met," which was in Georgia. "Three Fates," as outlined by Virna Woods, are varying fortunes which would, or might, have befallen the California heroine, according to which three suitors she married. "The End of Captain Ferguson," by Beulah Marie Dix, is a brief but vivid sketch in the modern heroic manner, from old wars in Germany. "English Mediæval Life" is pleasantly described by Alvan F. Sanborn, and "Athletic Sports of Ancient Days," apropos of the coming revival of the Olympic Games at Athens, by James de la Hunt. Lyman Horace Weeks gives an account of "Japanese Sword-Lore." As a pendant to these foreign topics, William Cecil Elam tells of "Gunning for Gobblers" in Virginia, and Lawrence Irwell of "Orchids," now so much cultivated among us. Calvin Dill Wilson enumerates the various kinds of "Meats" eaten in all parts of the earth. Under the title "Opposing View-Points," Frederic M. Bird considers the question whether editor and contributor are natural enemies. "Shrived," by Margaret Gilman George, is an unusually successful revival of the old ballad style, handling a delicate subject with vigor and feeling. The other poems of this number are by Elizabeth Harman, Alice I. Eaton, and Carrie Blake Morgan.

The American Engineer, New York, now appears as a bi-weekly. The old monthly has simply been divided in two parts. The price has been reduced to 10 cents, and the annual subscription to $2.50. It is worth the money ten times over.

Foreign affairs naturally have been more usual prominence in the November Review of Reviews. In the "Progress of the World," the department of that periodical in which the editor rapidly reviews the events of the preceding month, the possibilities of war in the far East are pointedly set forth. Another theme suggested in the same connection is the progress of Christian missions in the Orient. The prospects of Japan and Russia as Eastern powers are tersely discussed. The editor also comments briefly on the relations of Russia and France, the Italian celebrations, the French victory in Madagascar, the Cuban situation, and British policy in Venezuela. Among home topics of the month, the elections, the condition of New York politics, the anti-prize-fight campaign in the Southwest, and the educational outlook for selected treatment.

Several notable improvements have been introduced in the Popular Science Month, henceforth to be known as Appleton's Popular Science Monthly, with the beginning of the current volume. Wider margins have been adopted, the departments have been rearranged and given a less formal style, and many new attractions are promised. In response to numerous demands, the publication of the magazine simultaneously in this country and in England has been begun. The new volume opens with a list of writers, including David A. Wells, Fitzgerald Marriott, Daniel G. Brinton, E. P. Evans, James Sully, G. Frederick Wright, and the Dean of Montreal, which should win it many new friends both at home and abroad.

"Aunt Billy," by Alyn Yates Keith, author of "A Spinster's Leaflets." Cloth, Lee & Shepard, publishers, Boston. A. C. McClurg & Co., Chicago.

Readers who are familiar with "A Spinster's Leaflets" and a "Hilltop Summer" will find in these sketches the characteristic qualities of the author's previous work. "Aunt Billy." "A Day of Days," and "Miss Hetty" are all delightful sketches, which seem to bring with them a breath of fresh air from the country, while "The Desultory Club" discussed in a manner appropriate to its name a variety of topics of special interest to thoughtful women. Uncle Billy, Mehitable Prince, Dan'l, and the others are all denizens of some New England village with which we are acquainted, but some of us fail to recognize the picturesque side of country life, so full of mingled humor and pathos, unless it is presented with the skill and charm possessed by the author of these interesting sketches. [Price. $1.25.]

The November number of McClure's Magazine, containing the opening chapters of the Life of Lincoln, was out of print in two weeks after publication, increasing the circulation by 45,000 new subscribers. The first edition for December will be over 200,000 copies, a further increase of 25,000, and will contain other chapters in Lincoln's early life with twenty-five pictures, four portraits of Lincoln. One of the Lincoln pictures and many of the other illustrations have never before been published. Among other interesting Lincoln material, the December McClure's contains a hitherto unpublished account of how Lincoln, at the risk of his life, saved three men from drowning during a spring freshet. This happened when he was a young man of twenty-two, and was at Sangamon, building the flatboat for his trip to New Orleans.

"Half Round the World," by Oliver Optic. Cloth. Illustrated. This is the second volume of the third series of the "All-Over-the World series. Lee & Shepard, publishers, Boston, A. C. McClurg & Co., Chicago.

As indicated in the general title it is the author's intention to conduct the readers of this entertaining series "around the world." As a means to this end the hero of the story, Louis Belgrave, a young millionaire, purchases a steamer which he names "The Guardian Mother," and with a number of guests she proceeds on her voyage. In the present volume the vessel sails from the Nickobar Islands to Rangoon, down the coast of Burma and the Malay Peninsula to the islands of Sumatra, Java and Borneo. A space on the promenade deck had been fitted up as a conference room in which matters of interest were discussed and a much information imparted in regard to the countries visited. While conveying this useful knowledge, Mr. Adams never loses sight of the fact that the young people expect from him an interesting story, full of exciting incident, and this element is supplied by the adventures of the few young men of the party on the vessel as well as at the various points visited. [Price $1.25.]

The Arena closed its sixth year of publication with the November number. Beginning with the current issue, the first of new volume, the price was reduced to $3 per year. With the reduction comes the promise of the publishers that the magazine shall be brighter and more inviting than ever. We do not see how it can be made so, since it is now preëminently the magazine in which metaphysics and the various natural sciences receive treatment from the profoundest thinkers of the time. The Arena Publishing Company, Boston.

NOTE: For a review of this publication, "Stone," from an 1891 issue of "Manufacturers and Builders," click here. Please note it is very slow to load as it is a digital image of the 1891 publication.

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