27 DECEMBER 1890, Page 24

Cassell's Family Magazine. Illustrated. (Cassell and Co.)—It Is difficult, if

not impossible, to differentiate the numerous maga- zines which compete for popular favour. To a certain extent utility is a prominent characteristic of the Family Magazine. There are papers, for instance, by " Family Doctor," a monthly series of articles on " The Garden," " Chit-Chat on Dress," and a vast mass of miscellaneous information collected together under the title of " The Gatherer." Among the other papers is one on "American Farming for Women." Women are taking up home- stead rights in the Western States, and cultivating them them- selves. Overworked schoolmistresses are said to be particularly successful in this line of life. We do not quite understand from the account how they are to live by their farms. There seems to

be no way of making money, though doubtless the settlers can raise without difficulty much of the food they want. But how are they to buy their tea and their clothes ?