12 DECEMBER 1896, Page 24

Friendly Greetings. (R.T.S.) —These "Illustrated Readings for the People "

are of varied interest, well chosen, and giving plenty both of instruction and entertainment. So much for the reading. The illustrations are of quite respectable merit, but is it not a little too much to say that they are by the "best artists " ? We are not disposed to be hypercritical, but the drawings on pp. 137 and 208 are not on absolutely the topmost plane of art.—Our Little Dots (same publishers) is a magazine for young children, which we are glad to commend again as suited for its purpose. —We have also received The Cottager and Artisan (same publishers). Here the illustrations are above the average.