13 JANUARY 1894, Page 26

The Little Dowager. By Mrs. Sale Barker. (Routledge.)—A small boy

tells the story of his own and his little niece's adven- tures with gipsies, exploding chemicals, boats, and a fussy aunt. It is just the narrative that a child likes to listen to, and it dis- plays much knowledge of children and children's thoughts. The title of The Little Dowager adds a picturesque interest to the heroine of the story, and, moreover, Mrs. Sale Barker has the gift of making her little characters act and talk with a natural- ness and humour that makes The Little Dowager readable for folk of any age. We may be sure some children will like the story and all might read it with pleasure.