The Bay State Monthly, Vol. II, No. 6, March, 1885 by Various

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AMERICAN BOOKS IN ENGLAND.

The cordial reception awarded to the best class of American books in
England, is indicated by the following notices from the _Oldham Evening
& Weekly Chronicle_ of October 4:

"FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS AND HOW THEY GREW. By Margaret Sidney. Boston: D.
Lothrop & Co. This gorgeously got up and profusely and beautifully
illustrated volume is one of engrossing interest. All the characters are
skilfully drawn, the events are interestingly marshalled, and the plot
most naturally developed. For humour and pathos, for sympathy yet
fidelity, for loftiness of tone yet simplicity of style, this charming
volume has few superiors. Here and there it reminds us of Mark Twain,
anon of Dickens, and often of George Eliot, for the authoress has many
of the strong points of all these writers. Such wholesome and bracing
literature as this may well find its place in all our homes. It is a
tale of a high order, and is a real study of life. It is fresh, breezy,
bracing. It is strengthening and enthralling."

"CAMBRIDGE SERMONS. By Rev. Alexander McKenzie. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co.
This neatly and strongly got up volume consists of sixteen fresh,
vigorous, chatty, colloquial sermons. The author has the solidity of the
Scotch teacher, and the polish and beauty of the English preacher
combined with the freedom, the raciness, interest, and the freshness of
the American pulpit orator. These discourses are orations which were
delivered extemporaneously and taken down by a shorthand writer. Hence
they are homely, yet eloquent; natural, yet cultivated, and come right
home to the hearts of the readers. No one could tire reading these
sermons. They are as racy as a magazine article, as instructive as a
lecture, and as impressive and lofty as a message from God. They are
thoroughly American for their fearlessness, their living energy, and
their originality. Sermons of this high order are sure to be in demand."

* * * * *

GOOD READING.

A glance at the way reading is generally taught in our schools will
convince any impartial observer that this subject is made the driest and
dreariest of all studies. In our graded schools, children generally
read, on an average, an hour a day during the eight or nine years'
course, at the rate of less than one book a year. The average child
easily learns by heart in a few weeks all there is in the first three
books, after that the constant repetitions are in the highest degree
monotonous. There is nothing to attract his attention or stimulate his
love for reading. The selections filling fourth, fifth and sixth readers
are too often far above the mental grasp of the pupil, and are also of
so fragmentary a nature as to be almost unintelligible to the average
student. Word pronouncing, and that alone, is the only refuge of the
teacher.

There can be no excuse on account of the cost, for the money now thrown
away, and worse than thrown away, upon useless spelling books and
mind-stupefying grammars, would purchase a rich supply of the best
reading matter the English language affords for every school in the
land.

I have tried this experiment, and to my mind it is no longer an
experiment. I have seen the children of the poorest and most ignorant
parents taking from the library works upon history, travels, biography,
and the very best fiction, exhibiting in their selection excellent
taste, and showing from their manner how much they love such books. They
would no more choose bad reading than they would choose bad food when
wholesome is provided for them. Shameful neglect, I repeat, and not
innate depravity, drives our children into by-ways and forbidden paths.
Let no one preach long sermons on the depraved tendencies of the young
until he has tried this simple, cheap, and practical way of avoiding an
unnecessary evil.--_F.W. Parker._

* * * * *

The Golden Text Calendar, arranged by A.C. Morrow, editor of _The
Illustrator_ of the International Sunday-school lessons, with designs by
Mary A. Lathbury, is specially adapted as a holiday gift. Beautifully
lithographed and printed in nine colors. It contains the Golden Text for
every Sunday, and more than fifteen hundred quotations from the best
authors. The background of the calendar is of sprays of apple blossoms.
To the right of the pad the passing of time is represented by the flight
of birds and an angel bearing an hour-glass. To the left, a young girl,
with light flowing hair, stands beneath the branches of a tree,
gathering pink and yellow hollyhocks. The design is worthy of the
artist, and the literary selections reflect credit upon the editor.
Price, $1.00.

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BABYLAND. The Boston _Daily Globe_ says: "One need not concern herself
about the 'Chatterbox,' or any of the annuals made up in England for
American youth, when there are better books, in adaptability of matter
to age, in engravings, paper and press-work, close by her at home. The
mother may find a number of annuals published in this country which will
suit her taste and purpose much better, and she ought always to give
them the preference. BABYLAND for 1884 is in all respects a desirable
publication for the youngest readers. Its songs and stories, its
speaking pictures and its general attractiveness always win the smiles
of little folks."

* * * * *

An interesting and suggestive little treatise on the "Care and Feeding
of Infants," has been published by Doliber, Goodale & Co., Boston, who
will send a specimen copy free to any address.

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"AN ADMIRABLE BOOK."

_The Literary World_, in a critical review of one of D. Lothrop & Co.'s
recent publications, _The Travelling Law School_, says:--"Mr. B.V.
Abbott's object, in the second volume of the Business Boys' Library, is
to give a series of first lessons on forms of government and principles
of law. This is done by means of a very slight framework of imagination,
a large amount of anecdote and illustration, a singularly lucid
explanatory style, and a fullness of knowledge that 'backs' the
narrative with manifest strength. _The Travelling Law School_ is a
fictitious body, taken about from place to place; all the objects and
experiences encountered on the journey being examined in their legal
aspects and relations, and their functions as such pointed out. Things
that one can own are discriminated from things that are common property;
Boston, New York, and Washington are differentiated in their civil and
political bearings; the laws of the streets and the railroads, of money
and the banks, of wills, evidence, fraud, and so forth and so on, are
expounded by means of 'famous trials' and otherwise in an ingenious,
always entertaining, and thoroughly instructive manner. We do not see
why a course of instruction along the line of such topics as these would
not be a wise feature in many schools of the higher grade, for which Mr.
Abbott's book would be an admirable text-book. The study of such a book
would be in the nature of a recreation, so full is it of matters of
living interest, while of its practical value there could be only one
opinion. Structurally it is in two parts, the second of which, entitled
'Famous Trials,' is separately paged." 12mo, $1.00.

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A STANDARD GIFT BOOK.

A new edition of Arthur Oilman's _The Kingdom of Home_ is announced by
the publishers, and will form a strong attraction for holiday
book-buyers. No poetical anthology has been received by the general
public with such favor as this, and the reason is not far to seek. It
contains the choicest poems on home subjects ever brought together, and
the merits of its selections and pictures will keep it perennially in
demand as one of the best gift books in the long catalogue of household
treasures. The illustrations are abundant and exquisite. There are full
page pictures, tiny ones, panel ones, head pieces, end pieces; some
woven into the text, some the key-note of the stanzas, some of broad
suggestions, some of quaint conceit. All subjects that bring up home
associations are pictorially told in what, as to the rule, is the best
of engraving. The old water-wheel is there, making music in the village
glen; the limpid stream winding near the farmhouse; the spinning-wheel,
"merrily, noisily, cheerily whirring;" the baby of the home saying her
evening prayer, and John asleep beneath the summer boughs. Everything
that clusters about the fireside, breathes in farewells, sings in
marriage and throbs in love, finds embodiment. The idea of home
comprises everything we hold dear--wife, children, friends; the roof
that covers us, and the things we have learned to love about us. It lies
at the very foundation of religion, and our ideal of heaven is simply a
home. It is the love of home which strengthens us to endure toil,
privation and suffering, and thousands in all ages have met death
willingly to sustain the sanctity of their hearthstones. There is not a
poet who has lived since the dawn of historic times who has not sung its
praises, and from the vast amount of literature which has thus grown up,
the contents of the present work have been selected. The compiler has
shown rare judgment in the performance of his task, he justly says that
the treatment of this subject has not been confined to the great poets.
"It is not the poetry of the intellect, but of the heart; and many who
have been eloquent on no other theme, have sung the praises of home in a
way that has touched the hearts of thousands." The collection,
therefore, includes not only the productions of the masters, but those
of many a minor poet as well. The paper is beautifully white and clear,
the margin liberal, and the binding at once chaste and elegant. It will
make a book for the household; "one not for a day, but for all time."
8mo, Russia leather, seal grain, $6.00.

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A SPECIAL LETTER.

As an indication of the great interest aroused by the matter of one of
the recent publications of D. Lothrop & Co., while it was passing
through the WIDE AWAKE magazine in serial form, we print the following
letter written from BROOKLINE, Mass., and dated Oct. 6, 1884, and signed
"A well wisher."

DEAR WIDE AWAKE:

We have read with great interest the "Anna Maria Housekeeping
Talks," and think you could not do a better work than to publish
them in a cheap form, so as to be within the reach of almost any
one, and so ladies could buy them for their servants to read, It
cannot fail of success, it seems to me. The "talks" are too good
to have their light "hid under a bushel," and ought to be in the
hands of every one who has a house in charge, whether servant or
mistress.

In accordance with the general desire expressed in this and similar
letters, the publishers have presented the papers in an attractive 16mo
volume, published at $1.00. The subjects treated of embrace directions
for the table and kitchen departments, the general arrangement and
adornment of rooms, matters of dress and domestic economy, and
numberless small details which every young girl will desire to be posted
upon, and which even trained housekeepers are often grateful for being
reminded of.

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LOTHROP'S ILLUSTRATED POEMS.

Among selections of the choicest works of best authors, in this
department, are George Eliot's story of HOW LISA LOVED THE KING, and her
splendid hymn, O MAY I JOIN THE CHOIR INVISIBLE; Tennyson's MAUD, AND
OTHER POEMS, also THE BROOK, AND OTHER POEMS; Adelaide Procter's
beautiful poem THE LOST CHORD; the favorite Christian songs, THE NINETY
AND NINE, and JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL; and the popular song, THE OLD
OAKEN BUCKET. Each volume in this Series is furnished in elegant cloth
bindings, or fringed floral bindings at $1.50 each.

LOTHROP'S POPULAR LIBRARY EDITIONS.

Book lovers whose critical judgment extends to the binding as well as to
the contents of a volume, will find something quite to their taste in
Lothrop's new list of Illustrated Library Editions, which includes a
selection of favorites presented in a form most acceptable to
gift-makers, and very desirable for library use. The illustrations are
by notable artists, and admirably suited to the text. In this class may
be mentioned among others the volumes named below, which are published
in 8vo form, extra cloth, in morocco, full gilt, at the wonderfully low
prices indicated.

_POETS' HOMES._ The desire of multitudes to know something of the home
life of the poets whose verses have become familiar in every household,
will find gratification in the attractive one-volume edition of the
delightful sketches edited by R.H. Stoddard, Arthur Gilman, and others,
under the title of POETS' HOMES. It contains appreciative chapters upon
Bryant, Longfellow, Whittier, Trowbridge, Lowell, Homes, Bayard Taylor,
Mr. and Mrs. Piatt, Stedman, Aldrich, and other poets of reputation. The
homes of these poets are described in charming sketches, many of which
are accompanied by portraits and other illustrations. Cloth, $4.00,
Morocco, $8.00.

_HAYNE'S POEMS._ The welcome accorded to the first edition of the
"Poetical Works of Paul H. Hayne," has led to the publication of a new
edition. The critical estimate of Mr. Hayne's works, favorable from the
outset, accords him a place among the few American writers whose works
are likely to have a permanent place in public favor. As has been
appreciatively said, "He is a songster of the Southern groves, and
having built a nest in the wild wood (referring to his country home at
Copse Hill), he is content in the companionship of his mate and his
young, warbling to nature and to nature's God. If his notes reach beyond
his sylvan hall, and fall upon ears without its wall, and plaudits of
approval come in return, he trills responsively a grateful melody, and
resumes his solo as he would do had no _encore_ greeted him." Cloth,
$4.00, Morocco, $7.00.

In the same attractive bindings, are the following complete Works of
_FAMOUS POETS_ at uniform prices, extra cloth, full gilt, $3.00.
Morocco, full gilt, $6.00.

_WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE._ Edited, with a critical Biography, by William
Michael Rossetti. With an essay on the Chronology of Shakespeare's
Plays, by Edward Dowden, LL. D. A History of the Drama in England to the
Time of Shakespeare, by Arthur Gilman, M.A. A Critical Introduction to
each Play, by Augustus W. Von Schlegel. An Essay on Shakespeare's
Indebtedness to the Bible, a List of early editions to Shakespeare's
Plays; an Index to noteworthy Scenes; an Index to all the Characters; a
List of the Songs in the Plays; an Index to familiar Quotations, and a
carefully prepared Glossary, Shakespeare's Will, etc. The above
illustrative matter makes this the best-furnished one-volume edition in
the market.

_LORD BYRON_, with portrait, correspondence, and notes, by Sir John
Gilbert, W.J. Linton and others.

_ROBERT BURNS._ With portrait, correspondence and notes, edited by Allan
Cunningham.

_GOETHE._ Translated in the original metres by Edgar Alfred Browning,
C.B.

_JEAN INGELOW._ Including "The Shepherd Lady." 400 pages.

_LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL, MARMION_, and _LADY OF THE LAKE._

Lord Macaulay's _LAYS OF ANCIENT ROME._ With _IVRY_ and the _ARMADA._
With illustration by Wequelin.

_OWEN MEREDITH_ (Robert, Lord Lytton). "Lucille," "The Apple of Life,"
"The Wanderer," etc.

_JOHN MILTON._ With Memoir, Introduction and Notes, by David Masson,
M.A., LL. D.

_THOMAS MOORE._ Unabridged. With explanatory notes.

_ADELAIDE A. PROCTER._ There are, in this volume, gems of as noble and
perfect poetry as in any language.--_London Athenaeum._

_JOHANN C.F. VON SCHILLER._ The finest one-volume edition of the works
of this favorite poet.

_SIR WALTER SCOTT._ Including introduction and notes.

_PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY._ "No poet was ever warmed by a more genuine or
unforced inspiration."

_ALFRED TENNYSON._ Including all the latest poems. Illustrated by
Gustave Dore, W. Holman Hunt and others.

LOTHROP'S GOLDEN TREASURY SERIES.

This series presents a selection of books, remarkable for the rare and
enduring value of their contents, and made additionally attractive by
the form in which they are published. The volumes are of the semi-square
shape which offers such excellent opportunities for the best effects in
simple but elegant typography and binding, and the results will be in
the highest degree satisfactory to all lovers of handsome books. The
series takes its name from the book first upon the list.

_THE GOLDEN TREASURY_, edited by Francis Turner Palgrave, consists of
selections made with rare discrimination from the very best of English
songs and lyrical poems.

_IN THE BOOK OF PRAISE_, Sir Roundell Palmer, with a just appreciation
of their merits and a devout sympathy with their spirit, has brought
together, from the range of English hymns, those which are worthy of a
permanent place in public favor.

_THE BALLAD BOOK_, edited with no less painstaking care, and excellence
in judgment, by William Allingham, includes an unsurpassed selection of
the representative ballads which have won fame and favor for the bards
of Britain. In no other form is so rare and pleasing a collection of
British ballads to be found.

Of the volume which includes those masterpieces of Sir Walter Scott,
_MARMION, LADY OF THE LAKE, AND THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL_, no
explanatory words are necessary. These poems in the future, as in the
past, will hold undisputed place among the gems of classic literature.

The popularity of England's Poet Laureate makes it equally unnecessary
to more than present the title of the next volume upon the list, _THE
COMPLETE WORKS OF TENNYSON._

Lord Macaulay's _LAYS OF ANCIENT ROME, IVRY_, and the _ARMADA_, is
another volume upon which comment is needless.

_RELIGIOUS POEMS_ is an admirable selection, reflecting the life and
sentiments of the Christian believer.

_IN THE MIND AND WORDS OF JESUS_, by Rev. T.R. Macduff, we have a
masterly interpretation of the thoughts and utterances of the Divine
Teacher, so full of deep insight, of spirituality, and helpfulness, as
to seem little less than inspired.

This series of standard books would be incomplete without the name of
Bunyan and his _PILGRIM'S PROGRESS_, which concludes the list.

Each volume is beautifully illustrated and printed on the finest paper.
To their other excellent features is added a price which cannot fail to
make them popular. Vellum, cloth, $1.25 each.

LOTHROP'S SPARE MINUTE SERIES.

"The significance of the name of this series is seen from the fact that
THOUGHTS THAT BREATHE, for instance, has 300 pages, and contains 273
separately numbered and independent extracts. Thus a person can read one
or more of these at a time, and put the book down without breaking the
train of thought." 6 vols, 12mo, $5.00. 6 vols, imitation half calf.
$7.50. 6 vols, full imitation calf. $9.00.

_RIGHT TO THE POINT._ From the writings of Theodore L. Cuyler, D.D.,
selected by Mary Storrs Haynes. With an introduction by Rev. Newman
Hall.

Pithy paragraphs on a wide range of subjects, not one of which but will
be found to contain some terse, sparkling truth worthy of thought and
attention. A spare ten minutes devoted to such reading can never be
wasted.

_THOUGHT THAT BREATHE._ From the writings of Dean Stanley. Introduction
by Rev. Phillips Brooks. The numerous admirers on this side of the water
of the late eloquent English churchman, will be grateful for this
volume, which contains some of his best utterances. 16mo, cloth, $1.00.

_CHEERFUL WORDS._ From George MacDonald. Introduction by James T.
Fields.

_THE MIGHT OF RIGHT._ From Rt. Hon. Wm. E. Gladstone. Introduction by
John D. Long.

_TRUE MANLINESS._ From Thomas Hughes. Introduction by James Russell
Lowell.

_LIVING TRUTHS._ From Charles Kingsley. Introduction by W.D. Howells.

LOTHROP'S CHOICE NEW EDITIONS OF FAMOUS S.S. BOOKS IN SETS.

"_Bronckton Series._" SO AS BY FIRE, by Margaret Sidney. A bright story
full of life and interest, as are all the writings by this popular
author.

_HALF YEAR AT BRONCKTON_, by the same author. Earnest, yet lively, this
is just the book for all boys old enough to be subjected to the
temptations of school life.

The other books of this series, "Tempter Behind," by John Saunders, "For
Mack's Sake," by S.J. Burke, and "Class of '70," by Helena V. Morrison,
are all worthy of a place in every Sunday-school library.

Amaranth Library. 4 vols., 12mo, illust. $6.00
Books by the author of Andy Luttrell. 6 vols., 12mo, illust. 7.50
Julia A. Eastman's Books. 6 vols., 12mo, illust. 7.50
Ella Farman's Books. 9 vols., large 16mo, illust. 10.00
Pansy Series. 4 vols. 3.00
Mudge (Rev. Z.A.) Works. 3 vols. 3.75
Porter (Mrs. A.E.) Books. 5 vols. 6.25
Capron (M.J.) Books. 4 vols. 6.00
Mrs. E.D. Kendall's Books. 3 vols., 12mo, illust. 3.75
Our Boy's Library. 5 vols., illust. 6.25
Our Girls' Library. 5 vols., illust. 6.25
Snow Family Library. 5 vols., illust. 5.00
Sturdy Jack Series. 6 vols., 12mo, illust. 4.50
To-day Series. New and of extraordinary excellence. 6 vols.,
illust. 7.50
Child Life Series. 26 vols., illust. Each 1.00
Hill Rest Series. 3 vols., 16mo, illust. 3.75
Uncle Max Series. 8 vols., illust. 6.00
Yensie Walton Books. 5 vols., 12mo, illust. 7.50

LOTHROP'S YOUNG FOLKS' LIBRARY.

Nothing at once so good and cheap is anywhere to be found. These choice
16mo volumes of 300 to 500 pages, clear type, carefully printed, with
handsome and durable covers of manilla paper, and embracing some of the
best stories by popular American authors, are published at the low price
of 25 cents per volume, and mailed postpaid. One number issued each
month. No second edition will be printed in this style. The regular
edition is issued in cloth bindings at $1.25 to $1.75 per volume. Among
the numbers already published at 25 cents each as above are

1. Tip Lewis and his lamp, by PANSY.
2. Margie's Mission by MARIE OLIVER.
3. Kitty Kent's Trouble, by JULIA A. EASTMAN.
4. Mrs. Hurd's Niece, by ELLA FARMAN PRATT, editor of WIDE AWAKE.
5. Evening Rest, by REV. J.L. PRATT.

Other equally charming stories will follow each month. The Library is
especially commended to Sunday-school superintendents or those
interested in securing choice Sunday-school books at lowest prices.
Attention is called to the necessity of early orders, as when the
present editions are exhausted, no more copies of the several volumes
can be had at the same price.

LOTHROP'S STANDARD BOOKS FOR YOUTHS.

Admirable books in history, biography and story.

Fern Glen Series. 31 vols., illust. Each 1.25
Young Folks' Series. 33 vols., illust. Each 1.50
Popular Biographies. 18 vols., illust. Each 1.50
Young Folks' Histories, by MISS YONGE and others. 10 vols.,
illust. Each 1.50
Yonge's Historical Stories. 4 vols., illust. Each 1.25
The $1000 Prize Books. A fresh edition in new style of
binding. 16 vols., 12mo. 24.50
The new $500 Prize Series. A fresh edition in new style of
binding. 13 vols., 12mo. 16.75
The Original $500 Prize Series. A fresh edition in new style
of binding. 8 vols., 12mo. 12.00

LOTHROP'S TEMPERANCE LIBRARY.

No Sunday-school library is complete without some well-chosen volumes
showing the evils of intemperance, the great curse which good men and
women are everywhere endeavoring to remove.

D. Lothrop & Co. publish among others the following admirable temperance
books.

The only way Out. By J.W. Willing. $1.50
John Bremm. By A.A. Hopkins. 1.25
Sinner and Saint. by A.A. Hopkins 1.25
The Tempter Behind. By John Saunders. 1.25
Good Work. By Mary D. Chellis. 1.50
Mystery of the Lodge. By Mary D. Chellis. 1.50
Finished or Not. By the author of "Fabrics." 1.50
Modern Prophets. By Pansy and Faye Huntington. 1.50
May Bell. By Hubert Newbury. 1.50

_TEMPERANCE REFORMATION_, The, and Its Claims upon the Christian Church.
By Rev. James Smith, of Scotland. 8 vo. $2.50.

Sunday-school teachers and superintendents will find the above books
admirably adapted to the purpose of teaching great moral lessons, while
they are also full of pleasure and interest to young readers.

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