25 JANUARY 1879, Page 21

The New Girl (Griffith and Ferran), a tale of school-life,

by "M. E. B.," is an easily-flowing story, adapted to interest and benefit those for whom it is intended, and is well illustrated, in the completely realistic style.—A Wayside Posy (Griffith and Ferran), by Fanny Lablache, also for girls, is so sweet, yet withal so spicy a posy, as to be well worthy the gathering of older folks. If all family quarrels could be settled as "Miss Mignonette" settled hers, the world would indeed be a happier place ; and if all drowning dogs found a friend like dear little "Chickweed," they would need no better "home." The story of the precipice is almost too dreadful, but will interest the boys, as well as the girls, in the holidays.—Saitable for that happy time, too, are two small books, published by the same firm (Griffith and Ferran), entitled, Live Toys, by E. Davenport, and Twelve Stories of the Sayings and Doings of Animals, by Mrs. R. Lee. They both contain most amusing accounts of the adventures of pets. Blaebeard, the naughty Shetland pony, seems to be the grand favourite with the children, but " Neddy and the Rifle Donkey" is very funny, and so is "Patch, the Cat." The illustrations are very pretty and well drawn, though one little boy of our acquaintance objects to the wild rabbit's outline, and we are inclined to agree with him.—Long Evenings, by Emilia Marryat, from the same pub- lishers, does not strike us as by any means so good; but children may be pleased with it, and like most books now.a.days, the outside is exceedingly pretty.