Boy Life on the Prairie. By Hamlin Garland. (Macmillan and
Co. 6s.)—Mr. Garland has known and loved the prairie in his younger days; this is evident from the close observation of the bird life and the games and holidays which formed so important a feature in 'the monotonous routine of prairie-farming. The story of the young Stewarts' boyhood in Iowa is really a fine piece of realism, with all the best of the farming element and just enough of the shade' to make the picture in proportion. A young fellow could desire no better guide to the work of a farm, for Mr. Garland details the ploughing, seeding, haying, harvesting, and the various " chores " of the day. Yet for all this he has not neglected the poetical and picturesque aspect of the prairie in the early days, the sights and sounds and the magnificent air like champagne, which, we believe, with the feeling of space, is what makes the life tolerable. For the feeling of monotony can be read between the lines and even in them, and now in settled districts the disappearance of game has scarcely been compensated by the increase of luxury. The larger illustrations are good. We can recommend this book to boys, for it is true to life and it has a good moral.
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