Good Cheer and The Paths of Peace.—Good Cheer, the Christmas
number of Good Words, and Paths of Peace, the Christmas number of the Sunday Magazine, are both capital this year. The stories in Good Cheer, by Charles C. Gibbon and Blatherwick, are just what Christmas stories ought to be, bright, fresh, and charming ; and Joe (a dog), in the " Duel° Diamonds," is a touch of genius. "Her Gentle Deeds," the story in the Paths of Peace, by Sarah Tytler, though not as lively as those in Good Cheer, is much more of a story. The mis- fortunes of the heroine are almost unparalleled, as is also, in compensa- tion, the piece of good-fortune which restores her inheritance at the close ; and four years is rather a short allowance of time for such a complete business success as hers. In spite of all this, however, the story is exceedingly interesting, and Kirsten is a beautiful example of self-renunciation. The fire at sea is very well described, but the deep calm that fell upon Kirsten when she had resisted the temptation to save herself, and leave the children who had been thrust upon her care, ought to have been made more of, for the situation was very 'striking. "Her gentle deeds" do not rob her of her home and her lover in the end, we are glad to say. Mr. Barnard, the old banker, is a capital sketch of a scrupulously honest, upright, rich man, and we feel great sympathy with him.
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