Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 05.pdf/575

 536

AND HIS FRIEND VERDANT GREEN. By СитнBERT BEDE, i vol. Little, Brown & Co., Boston. Together, 3 vols, izmo, cloth, extra, gilt top. $5.00. The lovers of these favorite books will welcome them in a choice and handsomely printed and illus trated edition hitherto wanting. The first part of •' The Adventures of Verdant Green " appeared in 1853, forty years ago, and of the whole book more than 1 50,000 copies have been sold. Those familiar with these delightfully humorous college stories will remember the many mirth-provoking hoaxes of Mr. Charles Larkins and little Mr. Bouncer; the hero's rowing, riding, boxing, skating, archery, and cricket experiences and mishaps; the famous description of a town and gown row at Oxford; Mr. Bouncer's expedients in studying for his degree, etc. " The Adventures of Little Mr. Bouncer" and "Tales of College Life " are now for the first time published in uniform style with " The Adventures of Verdant Green." All of the author's spiritedly humorous illustrations are included. No young man should forego the pleasure of an introduction to the inimitable " Verdant '' and his companions, and many of our older readers will desire to renew the delightful acquaintance made in their youthful days. These volumes are just the thing for a Christmas gift. A limited edition of 250 numbered copies on Dickinson hand-made paper has been issued, price $15.00 net.

THE AUTOCRAT OF THE BREAKFAST-TABLE. By OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, with illustrations by HOWARD PYLE. Hotighton, Mifflin & Co., Boston and New York. Two vols. Cloth. $5.00. The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table needs no introduction to our readers, for he is known and loved by the whole English-reading world. These papers are as fresh and inspiring as when read by our fathers and grandfathers more than thirty years ago. There is a distinctive charm about them which no lapse of years can diminish. This new edition is in every way worthy of both author and publish ers. The illustrations are exquisite gems of art, and the typographical work is a delight to the eye. For a Christmas or New Year's gift nothing more beautiful or fitting could be found.

THE WOMAN WHO F.WED, AND OTHERS. By BESSIE CHANDLER. Roberts Brothers, Boston, 1893. Cloth. $ i .00. There is a freshness and originality in the author's style which makes these stories vastly entertaining. Both pathos and humor are skilfully intermingled,

and the character sketches are drawn with spirit and vigor. " Esther Goodwin's Geese " is irresistibly funny, while " The Woman who Failed " is a pathetic but faithful picture of the struggles of a young couple against adverse circumstances. The other stories are capitally told, and include " The Mid dle Miss Tallman," "Miss Polly Atherton's Ball," "Uncle Nathan's Ear-Trumpet," " A Silent Soul," "Margaret's Romance," " A Victim of Prejudice," and " The Turning of the Worm." The book is a delightful companion with which to while away an hour.

Two Bn-ES AT A CHERRY, with other Tales. By THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston and New York. Cloth. $1.25. Mr. Aldrich is one of the most charming of our story-tellers, and this volume contains seven of his brightest and most captivating tales. These in clude, beside the title story, " For Bravery on the Field of Battle," a touching story of the Mexican War; "The Chevalier de Resseguier; " " Goliath," a most amusing " dog " story; " My Cousin the Colonel; " " A Christmas Fantasy; " and " Her Dying Words." These stories are all written in Mr. Aldrich's best vein, and furnish a most enjoy able treat to the reader.

BROTHERS AND STRANGERS. By AGNES BLAKE POOR. Roberts Brothers, Boston, 1893. Cloth. $1.00. This is a remarkable book in many respects. It is difficult to believe that it is Miss Poor's first essay as a novelist, for there is nothing, either in method or construction, to indicate the novice, but on the contrary she proceeds to her task with all the con fidence of an experienced writer. She knows what she wishes to say, and says it without hesitation or circumlocution. Her short stories (published under the nom de plume of Dorothy Prescott) had led us to expect further good things from her pen, but we confess that this book has more than surprised us. For a first novel we know of nothing better which has appeared during recent years. We sincerely trust that this first success will not, as it has done in so many cases, turn the author's head, for she has the capacity and the ability to earn for, herself an enviable reputation in the literary world. The story is a simple one of New England life, — so simple that it is in fact devoid of anything like dramatic incident. The plot is one which few writers could invest with sufficient interest to hold the reader's attention, but Miss Poor has succeeded where nine out of ten would have failed, and the book is thor oughly enjoyable from beginning to end. We await with pleasant anticipations the next product of her pen.