Otto of the Silver Hand. Written and illustrated by Howard
Pyle. (Sampson Low and Co.)—This is a capital story. Otto is the son of a Robber Baron, who, turned from his evil ways by his sorrow at his wife's death, makes his submission to the Emperor Rudolph. While he is absent, an enemy of his family burns his castle, takes prisoner the young Otto, and mutilates the child by cutting off his right hand. All this is well told ; but perhaps the most effective part of the story is where "One-eyed Hans" makes his way into the castle of the hostile Baron, and carries off the young Baron. Hans's devices for getting into the stronghold of his enemy, and his hairbreadth escapes while he is there, makes a most exciting narrative. The conclusion, too, is well contrived. Altogether, Otto of the Silver Hand is one of the best stories of the season. The illustrations, too, somewhat in the Albert Diirer style, are good, though some might be improved. The reading boy on p.49 has certainly one eye, if not both, shut; this certainly cannot be intended, as he is looking at his favourite picture.
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