12 DECEMBER 1863, Page 23

Hymns in Prose for Children. By Mrs. Barbauld. Illustrated. (John

Murray.)—A more delicately illustrated edition of an old favourite with all thoughtful children has never been put forth. Mrs. Barbauld's prose hymns is the one " serious " children's book which children remember with delight and gratitude even in maturity. But if this were the case with the quaint little editions of our childhood, it will be far more so with such an edition as we have here, where really fine art is brought to the beautification of our old favourite. Thnre is a picture here of a negress sitting in misery and desolation that would do credit to a great artist. All the illustrations are fine of their kind.