12 JANUARY 1867, Page 20

Off the Land's End, Homeward Bound; or, Christmas Eve on

Board the Oberon. By Walter Reid, with eight illustrations by John Proctor. (Griffin).—The chief cabin folk on board the Oberon spend their last' night before landing in telling stories. A snowstorm has set in, they cannot catch a sight of the coast they are so anxious once more to feast their eyes upon, and they are all too excited, to go to bed. Se they while away the time after the approved fashion ; and the-- result is the handsome volume before us, which contains really readable' matter, printed in the best modern stylb, and illustrated with consi- derable taste. The frontispiece, with the title, "Arrest of the Suspected- Murderer," contains three powerfully drawn figures—the officer of justice, the suspected criminal, and a charming female figure. Dr "Lizzie Swooning," again, at her father's feet on hearing of her lover's perfidy, and also in the Bath belle divulging the secret of her marriage,. there is good drawing and an interesting result. From these illustrations our readers will gather the tendency of the stories which, ten in number,. are varied and attractive. The book may be safely recommended as an acceptable present in quarters where love-making is considered a pleasing: subject for contemplation.