The Boy's Own Annual. (56 Paternoster Row.)—This annual volume needs
little more than the welcome which we are always glad to accord to it. All tastes are consulted, some among them being probably uncommon, as that which Mr. C. E. Bateman ministers to when he gives instructions about "Alli- gators and Crocodiles, and How to Keep Them." One para- graph in this paper explains the difference between the two creatures. Most people are satisfied to know that they are much about the same, as much like, to quote the bon mot of a famous Judge, as are a solicitor and an attorney. The " Aviary " (in these papers) gives directions for the keeping of less formidable cap- tives. Of stories we have "Among Malay Pirates," by Mr. G. A. Henty ; " The Belgian Hare : a School Story," by the Rev. A. N. Malan ; " The Bedawin Captive," by Mr. Alfred Colbeck ; and others. Natural science, sports and amusements, travels, mechanics and the use of tools, are among the subjects of the magazine.—The Girl's Own Annual '.same publishers), with a
more artistic—or shall we say more ornamental P—appearance' displays an equal variety of subjects. Here also we have papers about the keeping of pets, stories, &c. Travel and adventure yield the pas to homekeeping arts. In short, the Annual is suited to its readers, though, indeed, we do know young people who are ungrateful enough to prefer the publication that is intended for their brothers Here is a " squirrel-story." " The heavy oak-door of the nut cupboard was closed, but not latched ; Gloucester' wanted some more nuts, and when she found that she could not get at them she sprang up to the handle, and sitting upon it, she pushed with all her might against the doorpost, and actually made the door open sufficiently for her lithe little body to squeeze through into the cupboard." Gloucester,' unfortunately, is as unamiable as she is clever.—Young England (S.S.U.) is another " journal for boys," which will doubtless be not unacceptable to their sisters, containing, as it does, a considerable variety of attractive reading.
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