AN OLD HOP-KILN.

Gilbert White's "Natural History of Selborne." -White's study of natural history, written a century ago, has been printed and reprinted in almost innumerable editions and in every conceivable size and shape. This year it is issued as a holiday book, with a charming introduction by John Burroughs, eighty illustrations by Clifton Johnson, and the text and new letters of the Buckland edition. The publishers have made a beautiful work in two volumes, which seems in every way calculated to be a satisfactory and final edition. They have shown fine discrimination in choosing Burroughs and Johnson to elucidate the old text with words and pictures. No two more competent men could well be imagined. In his delightful introduction the American naturalist says: "This book of Gilbert White's has a perennial charm. It is much like country things themselves. This is one secret of White's charm. The great world is afar off; Selborne is as snug and secluded as a chimney corner; we get an authentic glimpse into the real life of one man there; we see him going about intent, lovingly intent, upon every phase of nature about him. We get glimpses into humble cottages and into the ways and doings of the people; we see the bacon drying in the chimneys; we see the poor gathering in Wolmer Forest the sticks and twigs dropped by the rooks in building their nests; we see them claiming the 'lop and top' when big trees are cut. Indeed, the human touches, the human figures here and there in White's pages add much to the interest. The pictures of Mr. Johnson that illustrate this edition, taken as they were from the actual scenes, bring back the memory of my visit very vividly." The photographs and the drawings form in themselves a most delightful gallery of pictures of unspoiled English rural life. All who know

Mr. Clifton Johnson's rare talent at catching the salient points of rural life either in animate or inanimate objects will feel certain that a rare treat awaits those who come into possession of this very beautiful combination of word-pictures and pictured words. The "Observations on Nature," which occupied the genial parson and his intimate friends for several years, are also included in these handsome volumes. This new edition cannot be neglected by any one who cares for nature or for the classics of English literature. (Appleton. 2 v. $4.)

Garrett's Victorian Songs. -Mr. Garrett's collection of "Elizabethan Songs was universally pronounced beyond question the most beautiful holiday book in many years. It has proved to be, in addition, an acceptable volume at all seasons. The companion volume here described, "Victorian Songs," is made uniform with it in size and in general style, and has received from the artist the same wealth of illustrations and from the publishers and printers the care and outlay which combined with the artist's work to make "Elizabethan Songs" "one of the most exquisite specimens of the book-maker's art ever produced." The "Victorian Songs" are confined to the lyrics of the affection and of nature, and they are ushered in by a very happy introduction by Edmund Gosse. Strange as it may appear, more verse of this species has appeared in the practical Victorian age than ever in the combined Elizabethan and Jacobean ages. The Victorian epoch has been of extraordinary length. It covers not a mere generation, but much more than half a century. The word "Victorian" is used in literature to distinguish what was written after the decline of that age, of which Walter Scott, Coleridge, and Wordsworth were the survivors. Tennyson, the Victorian writer par excellence, had published the most individual and characteristic of his lyrics before the queen ascended the throne. The selections in this exquisite volume are chosen from about fifty poets. The "Victorian" age has been rich indeed in singers. All the favorites are represented. Truly a collection worth possessing that contains poems from Tennyson, Swinburne, Jean Ingelow. Adelaide Procter, Christina and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Michael Field, Norman Gale, Bryan W. Proctor, and many other sweet singers. An édition de luxe is also ready, consisting of 250 numbered copies-225 copies on Japan paper, with proof of the full-page plates on Japan paper, and twenty-five copies on Japan paper, with proof-plates on Japan paper, an original watercolor illustration by Mr. Garrett, and preliminary title embellished with a water-color design by the artist. (Little, Brown & Co. $6-$30.)

Tales of a Traveller, Buckthorne Edition.Our native American fiction began with Irving. When to novelty in theme and form was added the easy serenity of an assured and confident literary touch, American fiction had clearly sed bey the stage of apology and curiosity. All that lay within Irving, as far as the writing of fiction was concerned, he gave us; and that his success was no accident, but the nice adjustment of mind to theme, is shown by the fact that, in their way, the English sketches are as good as the American. In the manytoned Tales of a Traveller" he showed more than almost in anything else he had written the sympathy and observant faculty which must belong to the true novelist. At first they met with severe criticism, but little by little the reading world has begun to see how much was really said in those apparently light narratives which showed close study of the life of England, France, and America in the troubled years the stories describe. The second part of these "Tales of the Traveller" is a sort of autobiography of Buckthorne, a dear old genial cicerone who introduces the traveller into the literary society of the day in London and makes many charming comments on the ways, methods, and characters of authors and writers. From this character the Buckthorne edition has been named. It is uniform in general style with the holiday editions of "The Alhambra," "Granada," "Knickerbocker," and "Sketch-Book," printed from new type, with artistically designed borders by George Wharton Edwards, and 25 illustrations from designs by Arthur Rackham, Allan Barraud, F. S. Church, George Wharton Edwards, Henry Sandham, Frederick Dielman, and others, and published in two large volumes

with ornamental borders. Young people should read Washington Irving. His style is as smooth as that of Addison or Goldsmith, he is full of the kindliest humor, and he introduces his readers into thoroughly good company, where learn refinement of thought and deed in every sentence. (Putnam. 2 v., $6, $12.)

Illustrated Edition of "The Manxman."-Few stories lend themselves so readily to illustration as those of Hall Caine, and certainly the publishers have not gone astray in choosing this immensely popular novel to make into their leading holiday gift-book this year by illustrating its fascinating text with forty gelatin prints of actual scenes in the Isle of Man, which were selected by the author himself as the most characteristic scenes in his marvellously successful book. "In the little Isle of Man is unfolded," says The Athenæum, “a drama of grandiose dimensions, whether we regard the lapse of time which it occupies, the actions and passions of the principal characters, or the startling nature of the incidents and episodes in which it abounds." All the world has read "The Manxman In this new edition charming pictures are given of the Manx harvest-home and the wedding ceremonials and the many delightful evidences of a minute and faithful study of the Manx manners and superstitions. The édition de luxe of "The Manxman" is in two volumes, bound in white vellum, and is limited to 250 copies, all signed by the author. Not one in a hundred of the many who will try their best to come into possession of this ideal holiday book can therefore hope to attain their wishes. (Appleton. 2 v., $15.)

illustrations of important places, rulers, and noted people of Ancient Constantinople. Professor Grosvenor is an enthusiastic and laborious student, a long-time resident in Constantinople, familiar with its languages and customs, possessing warm friends of every rank in every nationality and of every creed, with doors open to him which are commonly shut, and no man could be better equipped for the task he had undertaken. Nor did he make his studies and researches alone, without the incentive of congenial and inspiring companionship. General Lew

Copyright, 1895, by Roberts Brothers.

other European capital which is so little known. Its multiplicity of races, languages, and religions, and the peculiar, complicated variety of its history, have rendered real acquaintance almost impossible. This book endeavors to picture as much of the wonderful, cosmopolitan city as can be painted on 800 pages. It is a book for all who have interest in the world outside their own doors, for the unlearned and the learned, for the traveller, and for him who stays at home. The author has had every possible advantage. (Roberts. 2 v., $10; hf. mor., $14.)

Uncle Remus.-" There is but one 'Uncle Remus,'" says the Commercial Advertiser," and he will never grow old. However, he appears this coming season in new and luxurious attire, for Mr. Joel Chandler Harris's masterpiece is brought out in a new edition, wherein are found 112 drawings by the one man best fitted for such work-Mr. A. B. Frost. It was a happy thought, that of marrying the work of Harris and Frost, and the Appletons are to be congratulated thereupon. Frost's unfailing individuality, his instant realization of types, his quaint and unexpected turns of humor, incline us to look forward with the greatest interest to this new edition of Uncle Remus.' There is also an édition de luxe, printed from new plates, containing the new pictures and rich in all the wealth of large paper and wide margins, each copy of which will be signed by the author. We are informed that this is the final, the definitive edition of Mr. Harris's masterpiece." "Uncle Remus,' after its fifteen years of popularity," says the New York Times, "is found in this new edition more valuable than ever, because we are further removed by just so many years from opportunities of studying the type that has been so accurately represented by the author's extraordinary skill. Mr. Frost's pictures of animals would be an additional charm to almost any book, and in the present in stance they breathe the very spirit of the text." (Appleton. $2.)

New Popular Edition of "The Three Musketeers."-By their arrangements with the French publishers, Messrs. D. Appleton & Co. are able to present a popular edition of this classic romance with Leloir's original illustrations. These illustrations are printed directly from the French blocks, and their superiority to cheap reproductions gives this authorized edition a unique value. There can be no edition equal to this in the quality of the illustrations or in the care which has been bestowed upon the translation, and it is safe to say that the final and standard English edition of "The Three Musketeers' is now presented to the public. A letter from Alexandre Dumas, fils, explaining the history

of this world-renowned book and also giving interesting details of his celebrated father's methods, accompanies this edition. (Appleton. 2 v., $4.)

Miss K. P. Wormeley's Translations of Balzac and Molière.-The new volumes of Balzac Novels" include "A Start in Life," "The Marriage Contract," 'Beatrix," and "The Daughter of Eve." This set now numbers thirty-four volumes (ea., hf. russia, $1.50). The fourth volume in the new translation of the plays of Molière, by Miss Katherine P. Wormeley, contains "L'Avare," "Don Juan," and "Les Fâcheux." It is now 227 years since " L'Avare" was first presented on the stage. "Don Juan" appeared three years later, in 1665, and "Les Facheux" in 1661. The frontispiece of the volume is an etched portrait of Molière printed in sepia tint. It is a handsome edition, worthy of a place in a library of standards. (Roberts. 4 v., ca., $1.50.)

"Stops of Various Quills, by W. D. Howells," says the Mail and Express, "is a remarkable book, concerning which there will probably be considerable difference of opinion among readers of current verse, though there ought to be none, and will be none among those who are capable of looking beyond and below mere poetic the thought which is in the poet's mind, the feeltechnique into the thing which is poetry itselfing which is in his heart, and which, whether he has captured it in his verse, or whether it has evaded him, is individual, vital, inevitable. Mr. Howells has given us here a remarkable book, as we have said, and one which we would select as an infallible touchstone of the poetic knowledge or ignorance of its readers. If they are enamoured of perfect technique, it may not please them; but if they know what poetry is, apart from its technique, they will be profoundly touched by it and will return to it again and again." The illustrations are by Howard Pyle. There is also an édition de luxe, limited to fifty copies, each signed by Mr. Howells and Mr. Pyle, with illustrations printed in sepia, and the full-page illustrations on Japan proofs in black. (Harper. $2.50, $15.)