Books Of The Day.

the pictures are sometimes regarded as more important than the text this is not a matter of consequence . A few of the pictures will remind some readers of the illustrations to the best editions of Swift's "Gulliver's Travels . " A Child ' s London . By Hamish Hendry . With fourteen illustrations by Carton Moore-Park ( 3 s 6 d ) . —Sands and Co .

To write , compile , or illustrate a book for children is a difficult task . Those who question the truth of this dictum may refer the matter to Mr . Andrew Lang . The youngster who gets a copy of "A Child's London" at Christmas will be happy , for it is

well written and admirably illustrated . The verses seem to us very unequal ; some , indeed , are not very happily turned ; but the recipients are hardly likely to be over critical in regard to matters of metre . Perhaps the best picture is that of the omnibus ; certainly the best verses are those commencing :

" The soldiers in my box at home Are made of painted wood , And when I lay them on the floor They lie as Soldiers should ; They lie upon their backs and smile For they are very good . "

The increase m the number of good books for children is a prominent feature in the publishing world just now . Messrs . Sands have wisely printed this book upon thoroughly good paper , and have bound it in an attractive cover .

Father Tuck ' s Annual . Stories and Poems , & c . by Nora Hopper , E . Nesbit , Clifton Bingham , M . A . Hozer , &' c , & c . Illustrated by Louis Wain , M . Bowley , H . Cowham , Helena Maguire , & c , & c . Edited by Edric Vredenburg ( two styles , 3 s 6 d and 5 s ) . —Raphael Tuck and Sons , Limited .

THIS is certainly one of the best gift books produced year by year , and its annual Appearance is eagerly looked for in many English homes . The title taken for the introduction : " To make the Children happy" is most appropriate , and the many pictures and interesting text here provided are well calculated to achieve its object . As usual the well known firm of publishers has secured the best talent to assist in the compilation of their "Annual , " and all are to be complimented on the result .

Lichtenstem . A romance after the German of Wilhelm Hauff . Adapted for English readers by L . L . Weedon . Illustrated by T . H . Robinson ( 3 s 6 d ) . —Ernest Nister . THE " Young People" of to-day , for whom this volume is particularly intended , are to be congratulated on the many choice and interesting works provided for them . Like most things in the present times books and general literature for the young are very

different to what they were when we were included in that category , and we may safely recommend this volume as one of the best among the many interesting ones issued this season . We can imagine the ordinary " Youngsters" being interested in this book from start to finish , and treasuring it afterwards as one of their most cherished gifts . The get up of the work is far above the average and quite in keeping with the high reputation already achieved bv Mr . Nister .

In Alfred ' s Days . A story of Saga the Dane . By Paul Creswick . Illustrations bv T . H . Robinson ( 3 s 6 d ) . —Ernest Nister . THIS is another volume from Mr . Nister ' s '' Young People ' s" ' series which calls for equal commendation . The book will not only

arouse enthusiasm in the juvenile reader , but will impart useful instruction , on subjects which are of interest to every British boy and girl . As a school prize or seasonable present it should take a leading place , and win general commendation . The attractive cover and numerous illustrations will go far to please the eye , while the text cannot fail to interest , and improve the mind .

A NUMBER of presentation books for the younger folk are also provided by Messrs . Raphael Tuck and Sons , Limited , and include a wide range of subjects . Father Tuck ' s "Little Artists" series will find great favour with the juvenile painter , and may even prove useful to more advanced students , the copies being so finely

coloured , and so true to nature . Father Tuck ' s " Little Pets " series , ' Holiday" series , and " Nursery" series are also worthy of special commendation , those printed on untearable linen being particularly in favour for gift books to delight the juvenile members of our families .

WE learn that a series of "Bijou Biographies" are to be published by Mr . Henry J . Drane . Among the lives promised are those of Hall Caine , Marie Corelli , Anthony Hope , and Lord Salisbury . The price will be sixpence each . MR . FISHER UNWIN will shortly publish " Canadian Camp Life , ' by Miss F . E . Herring . In this volume the writer records some experiences of camp lire in Vancouver . The work will be well illustrated .

MESSRS . NESDITT are to publish a new work by Mr . Walter Walsh , the author of the "Secret History of the Oxford Movement . " The volume deals with the growth of extreme ritualism in the English Church since the year 18 33 . It will doubtless be bought up eagerly in some quarters , and largely quoted .

THE cheaper and uniform edition of the works of Mr . F . Marion Crawford , which Messrs . Macmillan have commenced to issue in fortnightly volumes at ^ 5 6 d each , will be very welcome to many

Books Of The Day.

admirers of that versatile and scholarly novelist . The sale of this uniform edition will assuredly be very great . The author well deserves his splendid success .

BOOKS RECEIVED . The Windfairies and other tales . By Mary de Morgan . With illustrations by Olive Cockerell ( 5 s ) . —Seeley and Co ., Limited . Helmet and Spear . Stories from the Wars of the Greeks and Romans . By the Rev . A . J . Church , M . A . Illustrated

( 5 s ) . —Seeley and Co ., Limited . The House that grew . By Mrs . Molesworth . Illustrated by Alice B . Woodward ( 4 s 6 d ) . —Macmillan and Co ., Limited . The Tale of the Little Twin Dragons . By S . Rosamond Praeger ( 6 s ) . —Macmillan and Co ., Limited . At the foot of the Rainbow . A Tale of Adventure . By M . H . Cornwall Legh . Illustrated by J . Jellicce ( 2 s ) . —Wells

Gardner , Darton and Co . ¦;¦ Left to Themselves . By E . M . Green . Illustrated by Arthur Hopkins ( 2 s ) . —Wells Gardner , Darton and Co . Tib and Sib . A Story for Children . By Stella Austin . Illustrated ( 2 s 6 d ) . —Wells Gardner , Darton and Co . Somebody . By Stella Austin . Illustrated ( is ) . —Wells Gardner , Darton and Co .

Sylvia ' s Romance . By Marion Andrews . Illustrated by W . H . C . Groome ( is ) . —Wells Gardner , Darton and Co . The Story of Johnny Bertram . By D . B . McKean . Illustrated by W . H . C . Groome ( is ) . —Wells Gardner , Darton and Co . Ben Cramer : Working- Jeweller . A Tale for Boys and Girls . By Stella Austin . Illustrated ( 2 s ) . —Wells Gardner , Darton and Co .

Love In our Village . By Orme Agnus . Illustrated by Bertha Newcombe ( 6 s ) . —Ward , Lock and Co ., Limited . New Century Library ( 2 s net per vol ) . —T . Nelson and Sons . The Works of WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY . — Vol . viii ., Men ' s Wives , Bedford-Row Conspiracy , & c . Vol . ix ., The Virginians . Shadows from the Thames . By Edward Noble ( 6 s ) . —

C . Arthur Pearson , Limited . After Worcester . The Story of a Royal Fugitive . By E . Everett-Green . With illustrations ( 5 s ) . —Thomas Nelson and Sons . A Sister of the Red Cross . A Tale of the South African War . By Mrs . L . ' T . Meade ( 3 s 6 d ) . —Thomas Nelson and Sons .

An officer , who I fancy is not a Freemason , suggests to me that a complete return of the Masonic officers who have been serving in South Africa would be of great public interest "; and he seems to think it would throw li ght on the mystery as to how some officers who have conspicuously

blundered have been conspicuously punished , while others have as conspicuously escaped . I know that in the warrant and non-commissioned ranks there is much jealousy of Masonic influence ; but this is the . first indication I have found of a similar feeling higher up in the Service . For my

own part , I have not the slightest idea whether there is anything in the suggestion , for I cannot identify a single officer in South Africa as a Mason , from the Field-Marshal

downwards . But if anybody could show by reference to the facts that there is nothing in the suggestion , he would do some service to the Army , and possibly to Masonry also . — " Truth . "

The new Lord Mayor devotes all his spare time to Freemasonry . Few men in England are such ardent Masons , and his memory for Masonic ritual excites general admiration in his Lodge , says " M . A . P . " He cares for neither shooting

nor pictures . His sole thought , apart from his business as a great stationer , is for Freemasonry . Flis charity is enormous , but most unostentatious , being usually quite anonymous .

''A Sprig Of Acacia.''

''A SPRIG OF ACACIA . ''

AN old and highly respected inhabitant of' Wickham Market passed away on Friday , 23 rd ult , in the person of Bro . Richard Allen , a member of the Doric Lodge , and of the local Chapter . In early life Bro . Allen followed the profession of a sailor , and his everyday talk was always

interspersed with nautical phrases . About five and thirty years since he established a business as painter and glazier , and was well known in the locality as an honest , straightforward master tradesman . He leaves a widow and four children to mourn his loss ,