5 SEPTEMBER 1874, Page 23

Little Lives and a Great Love. By Florence Welford. (Masters

and Co.)—These stories arc well meant, and the lessons they are- intended to convey are good, sound, and useful. But the stories sue nowhere in comparison with the sermons; and the language is very lessony, even when Rose's adventures and Phoebe's cat occupy the scene. We fear the young readers for whom these delicate and un- exceptionable literary dainties are provided will find them rather too- flavourless, and that they will be relegated to the nursery purgatorio of: Sunday books.