The Tiger and the Insect. By John Habberton. (W. Heinemann.
3s. 6d.)—When we remind our readers that Mr. Habberton is the author of "Helen's Babies," and further inform them that "Tiger" and," Insect" are nicknames for two children whom "Nell," the girl who tells the story, takes care of, they will know what to expect. We must own that we were a little tired of the "Babies" before we had done with them. These quaint humours of childrer, and the still quainter lingo in which they express them, nia9 possibly weary some readers. Others, on the contrary, cannot, it would seem, have too much of them.—A Romance of the Nursery. By L. Allen Harker. (John Lane. 5s.)—There are some things in this story that have not much to do with the nursery. There is a lecture, for instance, on the way in which Scripture ought to be read,—not piecemeal, but in connected passages ; true enough, but hardly appropriate. Then the opening paragraph will scarcely fail to be puzzling to young readers. This is not a story. It is rather a series of impressions, impressions grown more vivid as time has formulated them and lent them perspective, &c. Still, the story will, it is probable, be read with interest. Its central figure is a certain Fiametta, who is introduced into a family of children, and causes the disturbance which, at least in fiction, always follows such an introduction.—Comrades All. By Florence Combs. (Blackie and Son. 2s.)—This is an amusing story of the fortunes and misfortunes of a family. We need not estimate the probabilities too closely, as to whether, to take an instance, Bob at the age of eleven should have engaged himself as an errand- boy to a chemist. He had run up a bill, it must be understood, and was bent on working it off. Possibly this kind of thing makes it more amusing reading.—Lassie and Laddie. By Mary D. Brine. (W. and R. Chambers. 2s. 6d.)—This is a story, or, rather, we may say, a collection of sketches, for quite young readers. The scene is laid on the other side of the Atlantic, and this gives a certain novelty to the story. But it must be under- stood that "Lassie" and "Laddie " are not the formidable American children of whom we sometimes hear as aping "grown- ups" with only too much success.—Things We Thought of. By Mary C. E. Wemyss. (Longmans and Co. 3s. 6d.)—Here is another book for young children, and very cleverly done. The language in which the stories, not romantic at all, it must be understood, but of ordinary home doings, are told is excellent ; and there are some humorous pictures, in colour, we may add, for colour is always a great attraction for young eyes.—The Disappearance of Darius Drake, and other Short Stories. By Katherine E. Vernham. (National Society. is. 6d.)—These eleven short stories are up to the average. We would rather have such melancholy tales as "The Child of the Minster" away. The young ones have their troubles soon enough.--Jininty "Would I were a Boy ! " By E. A. Gillie. (John F. Shaw and Co. 25. 6d.)—It is not difficult to anticipate the course of a story where the heroine's aspiration takes the form given in the title. But few readers will be pre- pared for the audacities on which Miss Jimmy ventures. It is an entertaining story, and has an excellent moral.
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