XII Van Rensselaer of Rensselaerswyck: The Boy Patroon
(Afterward Major-General, and Lieutenant-Governor of the State of New York.)
[a.d. 1777.]
I question whether any of my young readers, however well up in history they may be, can place the great River of Prince Maurice (De Riviere Van den Voorst Mauritius), which, two hundred years ago, flowed through the broad domain of the lord patroons of Rensselaerswyck. And yet it is the same wide river upon whose crowded shore now stands the great city of New York; the same fair river above whose banks now towers the noble front of the massive State Capitol at Albany. And that lofty edifice stands not far from the very spot where, beneath the pyramidal belfry of the old Dutch church, the boy patroon sat nodding through Dominie Westerlo’s sermon, one drowsy July Sunday in the summer of 1777.
The good dominie’s “seventhly” came to a sudden stop as the tinkle of the deacon’s collection-bell fell upon the ears of the slumbering congregation. In the big Van Rensselaer pew it roused Stephanus, the boy patroon, from a delightful dream of a ten-pound twaalf, or striped bass, which he thought he had just hooked at the mouth of Bloemert’s Kill; and, rather guiltily, as one who has been “caught napping,” he dropped his two “half-joes” into the deacon’s “fish-net”—for so the boys irreverently called the knitted bag which, stuck on one end of a long pole, was always passed around for contributions right in the middle of the sermon. Then the good dominie went back to his “seventhly,” and the congregation to their slumbers, while the restless young Stephanus traced with his finger-nail upon the cover of his psalm-book the profile of his highly respected guardian, General Ten Broek, nodding solemnly in the magistrate’s pew. At last, the sands in the hour-glass, that stood on the queer, one-legged, eight-sided pulpit, stopped running, and so did the dominie’s “noble Dutch”; the congregation filed out of church, and the Sunday service was over. And so, too, was the Sunday quiet. For scarcely had the people passed the porch, when, down from the city barrier at the Colonie Gate, clattered a hurrying horseman.
“From General Schuyler, sir,” he said, as he reined up before General Ten Broek, and handed him an order to muster the militia at once and repair to the camp at Fort Edward. St. Clair, so said the despatch, had been defeated, Ticonderoga was captured, Burgoyne was marching to the Hudson, the Indians were on the war-path, and help was needed at once if they would check Burgoyne and save Albany from pillage.
The news fell with a sudden shock upon the little city of the Dutchmen. Ticonderoga fallen, and the Indians on the war-path! Even the most stolid of the Albany burghers felt his heart beating faster, while many a mother looked anxiously at her little ones and called to mind the terrible tales of Indian cruelty and pillage. But the young Van Rensselaer, pressing close to the side of fair Mistress Margarita Schuyler, said soberly: “These be sad tidings, Margery; would it not be wiser for you all to come up to the manor-house for safety?”
“For safety?” echoed high-spirited Mistress Margery. “Why, what need, Stephanus? Is not my father in command at Fort Edward? and not for Burgoyne and all his Indians need we fear while he is there! So, many thanks, my lord patroon,” she continued, with a mock courtesy; “but I’m just as safe under the Schuyler gables as I could be in the Van Rensselaer manor-house, even with the brave young patroon himself as my defender.”
The lad looked a little crestfallen; for he regarded himself as the natural protector of this brave little lady, whose father was facing the British invaders on the shores of the Northern lakes. Had it not been one, almost, of the unwritten laws of the colonie, since the day of the first patroon, that a Van Rensselaer should wed a Schuyler? Who, then, should care for a daughter of the house of Schuyler in times of trouble but a son of the house of Rensselaer?
“Well, at any rate, I shall look out for you if danger does come,” he said, as he turned toward the manor-house. “You’ll surely not object to that, will you, Margery?”
“Why, how can I?” laughed the girl. “I certainly may not prevent a gallant youth from keeping his eyes in my direction. So, thanks for your promise, my lord patroon, and when you see the flash of the tomahawk, summon your vassals like a noble knight and charge through the Colonie Gate to the rescue of the beleaguered maiden of the Fuyck.AL Why, it will be as good as one of Dominie Westerlo’s Northland saga-tales, won’t it, Stephanus?” And, with a stately good-by to the little lord of seven hundred thousand acres, the girl hastened homeward to the Schuyler mansion, while the boy rode in the opposite direction to the great brick manor-house by the creek.
Twenty-four miles east and west, by forty-eight miles north and south, covering forest and river, valley and hill, stretched the broad colonie of the patroons of Rensselaerswyck, embracing the present counties of Albany, Rensselaer, and Columbia, in the State of New York; and over all this domain, since the days of the Heer Killian Van Rensselaer, first of the lord patroons, father and son, in direct descent, had held sway after the manner of the old feudal barons of Europe. They alone owned the land, and their hundreds of tenants held their farms on rentals or leases, subject to the will of the “patroons,” as they were called,—a Dutch adaptation of the old Roman patronus, meaning patrician or patron.
Only the town-lands of Beverwyck, or Albany, were free from this feudal right—a territory stretching thirteen miles north-west, by one mile wide along the river front, and forced from an earlier boy patroon by the doughty Peter Stuyvesant, and secured by later English governors; and at the time of our story, though the old feudal laws were no longer in force, and the rentals were less exacting than in the earlier days, the tenantry of Rensselaerswyck respected the authority and manorial rights of Stephen Van Rensselaer, their boy patroon, who, with his widowed mother and his brothers and sisters, lived in the big brick manor-house near the swift mill creek and the tumbling falls in the green vale of Tivoli, a mile north of the city gate.
And now had come the Revolution. Thanks to the teaching of his tender mother, of his gallant guardian, and of the good Dominie Westerlo, young Stephen knew what the great struggle meant—a protest against tyranny, a blow for human rights, a defence of the grand doctrine of the immortal Declaration that “All men are created free and equal.” And he had been told, too, that the success of the Republic would be the death-blow to all the feudal rights to which he, the last of the patroons, had succeeded.
“Uncle,” he said to his guardian, that stern patriot and whig, General Abram Ten Broek, “you are my representative and must act for me till I grow to be a man. Do what is best, sir, and don’t let the Britishers beat!”
“But, remember, lad,” said his uncle, “the Revolution, if it succeeds, must strip you of all the powers and rights that have come to you as patroon. You will be an owner of acres, nothing more; no longer baron, patroon, nor lord of the manor; of no higher dignity and condition than little Jan Van Woort, the cow-boy of old Luykas Oothout on your cattle farm in the Helderbergs.”
“But I’ll be a citizen of a free republic, won’t I, Uncle?” said the boy; “as free of the king and his court across the sea as Jan Van Woort will be of me and the court-leet of Rensselaerswyck. So we’ll all start fair and even. I’m not old enough to fight and talk yet, Uncle; but do you fight and talk for me, and I know it will come out all right.”
And so, through the battle-summer of 1777, the work went on. Men and supplies were hurried northward to help the patriot army, and soon General Ten Broek’s three thousand militia-men were ready and anxious for action. The air was full of stirring news. Brandt and his Indians, Sir John Johnson and his green-coated Tories, swarmed into the Mohawk Valley; poor Jane McCrea fell a victim to Indian treachery, and the whole northern country shuddered at the rumor that twenty dollars had been offered for every rebel scalp. And fast upon these came still other tidings. The noble General Schuyler, fair Mistress Margery’s father, had, through the management of his enemies in the Congress and in the camp, been superseded by General Gates; but, like a true patriot, he worked just as hard for victory nevertheless. Herkimer had fallen in the savage and uncertain fight at Oriskany; in Bennington, stout old Stark had dealt the British a rousing blow; and Burgoyne’s boast that with ten thousand men he could “promenade through America” ended dismally enough for him in the smoke of Bemis Heights and the surrender at Saratoga.
But, before that glorious ending, many were the dark and doubtful days that came to Albany and to Rensselaerswyck. Rumors of defeat and disaster, of plot and pillage, filled the little city. Spies and Tories sought to work it harm. The flash of the tomahawk, of which Mistress Margery had so lightly jested, was really seen in the Schuyler mansion. And the brave girl, by her pluck and self-possession, had saved her father and his household from the chance of Tory pillage and Indian murder. Good Dominie Westerlo kept open church and constant prayer for the success of the patriot arms through one whole anxious week, and on a bright September afternoon, General Ten Broek, with a slender escort, came dashing up to the “stoop” of the Van Rensselaer manor-house.
“What now, Uncle?” asked young Stephen, as he met the General in the broad hall.
“More supplies—we must have more supplies, lad,” replied his uncle. “Our troops need provisions, and I am here to forage among both friends and foes.”
“Beginning with us, I suppose,” said the young patroon. “Oh, Uncle, cannot I, too, do something to show my love for the cause?”
“Something, Stephen? You can do much,” his uncle replied. “Time was, lad, when your ancestors, the lord patroons of Rensselaerswyck, were makers and masters of the law in this their colonie. From their own forts floated their own flag and frowned their own cannon. Their word was law and from Beeren’s Island to Pafraet’s Dael the Heer Van Rensselaer’s orders were obeyed without question. Forts and flags and cannon are no longer yours, Stephen, and we would not have it otherwise; but your word still holds as good with your tenantry as did that of the first boy patroon, Johannes the son of Killian, when, backed by his gecommitteerden and his schepens,AM he bearded the Heer General Stuyvesant and claimed all Rensselaerswyck as his ‘by right of arms.’ Try your word with them, lad. Let me be your gecommitteerden and, in the name of the patroon, demand from your tenantry of Rensselaerswyck provisions and forage for our gallant troops.”
“Oh, try it, Uncle, try it—do,” young Stephen cried, full of interest; “but will they give so much heed, think you, to my word?”
“Ay, trust them for that,” replied the general. “So strong is their attachment to their young patroon that they will, I know, do more on your simple word than on all the orders and levies of the king’s Parliament or the Continental Congress.”
So, out into the farm-lands that checkered the valley and climbed the green slopes of the Helderbergs, went the orders of the boy patroon, summoning all “our loyal and loving tenantry” to take of their stock and provender all that they could spare, save the slight amount needed for actual home use, and to deliver the same to the commissaries of the army of the Congress at Saratoga. And the “loyal and loving tenantry” gave good heed to their patroon’s orders. Granaries and cellars, stables and pigsties, pork-barrels and poultry-sheds, were emptied of their contents. The army of the Congress was amply provisioned, and thus, indeed, did the boy patroon contribute his share toward the great victory at Saratoga—a victory of which one historian remarks that “no martial event, from the battle of Marathon to that of Waterloo—two thousand years,—exerted a greater influence upon human affairs.”
The field of Saratoga is won. Six thousand British troops have laid down their arms, and the fears of Northern invasion are ended. In the Schuyler mansion at Albany, fair Mistress Margery is helping her mother fitly entertain General Burgoyne and the paroled British officers, thus returning good for evil to the man who, but a few weeks before, had burned to the ground her father’s beautiful country-house at Saratoga. Along the fair river, from the Colonie Gate to the peaks of the Katzbergs, the early autumn frosts are painting the forest leaves with gorgeous tints, and to-day, the first of November, 1777, the children are joyously celebrating the thirteenth birthday of the boy patroon in the big manor-house by the creek. For, in Albany, a hundred years ago, a children’s birthday party really meant a children’s party. The “grown-folk” left home on that day, and the children had free range of the house for their plays and rejoicing. So, through the ample rooms and the broad halls of the Van Rensselaer mansion the children’s voices ring merrily, until, tired of romp and frolic, the little folks gather on the great staircase for rest and gossip. And here the fresh-faced little host, in a sky-blue silk coat lined with yellow, a white satin vest broidered with gold lace, white silk knee-breeches, and stockings tied with pink ribbons, pumps, ruffles, and frills, is listening intently while Mistress Margery, radiant in her tight-sleeved satin dress, peaked-toed and bespangled shoes, and wonderfully arranged hair, is telling the group of girls and boys all about General Burgoyne and the British officers, and how much they liked the real Dutch supper her mother gave them one day—“suppawn and malckAN and rulliches,AO with chocolate and soft waffles, you know,”—and how General the Baron Riedesel had said that if they stayed till Christmas he would play at Saint Claes (Santa Claus) for them.
“Oh, Margery!” exclaimed Stephen, “you wouldn’t have a Hessian for good old Saint Claes, would you?”
“Why not?” said Mistress Margery, with a toss of her pretty head. “Do you think you are the only patroon, my lord Stephen?”
For Santa Claus was known among the boys and girls of those old Dutch days as “the children’s patroon” (De Patroon van Kinder-vreugd).
“I saw the Hessian baron t’ other night, Margarita,” said Stephen’s best boy-friend, Abram Van Vechten; “he never could play at Santa Claus. He’s not the right shape at all. And then a Hessian! Why, I’d sooner have old Balthazar!”
“Oh, dear, what a Saint Claes he’d make!” cried all the girls and boys, for old Balthazar Lydius was the terror of the Albany children in those days—“a tall, spare Dutchman, with a bullet head,” a sort of Bluebeard to their imaginations, living in his “big mahogany house with carved beams,” near the old Kerk, and scowling and growling at every Kind who passed his door.
“No, no, Abram,” protested Margery, “I’d rather have the baron, even if he is a Hessian. Only imagine old Balthazar playing at Saint Claes, girls! Why, he’s as sour as a ladle of Aunt Schuyler’s kool-slaa. Show us how he looks, Stephen; you can, you know.”
“Yes, do, do!” shouted all the girls and boys. “Show us Abram’s sour face. Let’s see which is the best patroon.”
So the boy lengthened down his face and pulled in his cheeks and looked so ferociously sour that the children fairly shrieked with delight at the caricature, and Abram cried: “That’s it; that’s old Balthazar as sure as you live! That’s just the way he looked at me last winter when I almost ran into him as I was sliding down the long coast at Fort hill. My! I was so scared that I ran as fast as my legs could carry me from way below the Kerk clear past the Van der Hayden palace.”AP
But, in the midst of the laughter, a quick step sounded in the hall, and General Ten Broek came to the children-crowded staircase. “The Helderberg farmers are here, lad,” he said to his nephew; and the young patroon, bidding his guests keep up the fun while he left them awhile, followed his uncle through the door-way and across the broad court-yard to where, just south of the manor-house, stood the rent-office. As the boy emerged from the mansion, the throng of tenants who had gathered there at his invitation gazed admiringly at the manly-looking little lad, resplendent in blue and yellow, and gold lace, and greeted him with a rousing birthday cheer—a loyal welcome to their boy patroon, their young Opperhoofdt, or chief.
“My friends,” the lad said, acknowledging their greeting with a courtly bow, “I have asked you to come to the manor-house on this, my birthday, so that I might thank you for what you did for me before the Saratoga fight, when you sent so much of your stock and produce to the army simply on my order. But I wish also to give you something besides thanks. And so, that you may know how much I value your friendship and fealty, I have, with my guardian’s approval, called you here to present to each one of you a free and clear title to all the lands you have, until now, held in fee from me as the patroon of Rensselaerswyck. General Ten Broek will give you the papers before you leave the office, and Pedrom has a goodly spread waiting for you in the lower hall. Take this from me, my friends, with many thanks for what you have already done for me.”
Then, what a cheer went up! The loyal tenantry of the Helderberg farms had neither looked for nor expected any special return for their generous offerings to the army of the Congress, and this action of the boy patroon filled every farmer’s heart with something more than gratitude; for now each one of them was a land-owner, as free and untrammelled as the boy patroon himself. And, as fair Portia says in the play,
“So shines a good deed in a naughty world,”
that, when young Stephen Van Rensselaer went joyfully back to his children’s party, and the Helderberg farmers to black Pedrom’s “spread” in the lower hall, it would have been hard to say which felt the happier—the giver or the receivers of this generous and manly gift.
The years of battle continued, but Dominie Doll’s boarding-school, smoked out of ‘Sopus when the British troops laid Kingston in ashes, found shelter in Hurley; and here the boys repaired for instruction—for school must go on though war rages and fire burns. The signs of pillage and desolation were all around them; but, boy-like, they thought little of the danger, and laughed heartily at Dominie Doll’s story of the poor ‘Sopus Dutchman who, terribly frightened at the sight of the red-coats, fled wildly across a deserted hay-field, and stepped suddenly upon the end of a long hay-rake left behind by the “skedaddling” farmers. Up flew the long handle of the rake and struck the terrified Dutchman a sounding whack upon the back of his head. He gave himself up for lost. “Oh, mein Got, mein Got!” he cried, dropping upon his knees and lifting imploring hands to his supposed captors, “I kivs up, I kivs up, mynheer soldiermans. Hooray for King Shorge!”
Nearly two years were passed here upon the pleasant hill-slopes that stretch away to the Catskill ridges and the rugged wildness of the Stony Clove; and then, in the fall of 1779, when the boy patroon had reached his fifteenth birthday, it was determined to send him, for still higher education, to the College of New Jersey, at Princeton. Of that eventful journey of the lad and his half-dozen school-fellows, under military escort, from the hills of the Upper Hudson to the shot-scarred college on the New Jersey plains, a most interesting story could be told. I doubt whether many, if any, boys ever went to school under quite such delightfully exciting circumstances. For their route lay through a war-worried section; past the dismantled batteries of Stony Point, where “Mad Anthony Wayne” had gained so much glory and renown; past the Highland fortresses, and through the ranks of the Continental Army, visiting General Washington at his headquarters at West Point, and carrying away never-forgotten recollections of the great commander; cautiously past roving bands of cruel “cow-boys” and the enemy’s outposts around captured New York, to the battered college buildings which had alternately been barracks and hospital for American and British troops. And an equally interesting story could be told of the exciting college days when, almost within range of the enemy’s guns, the boom of the distinct cannon would come like a punctuation in recitations, and the fear of fusillades would help a boy through many a “tight squeeze” in neglected lessons. But this was education under difficulties. The risk became too great, and the young patroon was finally transferred to the quieter walls of Harvard College, from which celebrated institution he graduated with honor in 1782, soon after his eighteenth birthday.
The quiet life of an average American boy would not seem to furnish very much worth the telling. The boy patroon differed little, save in the way of birth and vast estate, from other boys and girls of the eventful age in which he lived; but many instances in his youthful career could safely be recorded. We might tell how he came home from college just as the great war was closing; how he made long trips, on horseback and afoot, over his great estate, acquainting himself with his tenantry and their needs; how, even before he was twenty years old, he followed the custom of his house and married fair Mistress Margery, the “brave girl” of the Schuyler mansion; and how, finally, on the first of November, 1785, all the tenantry of Rensselaerswyck thronged the grounds of the great manor-house, and, with speech and shout and generous barbecue, celebrated his coming of age—the twenty-first birthday of the boy patroon,—now no longer boy or patroon, but a free American citizen in the new Republic of the United States.
His after-life is part of the history of his State and of his country. At an early age he entered public life, and filled many offices of trust and responsibility. An assemblyman, a State Senator, a lieutenant-governor, a member of Congress, a major-general, and the conqueror of Queenstown in Canada in the War of 1812, one of the original projectors of the great Erie Canal, and, noblest of all, the founder and patron of a great school for boys,—the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy,—he was, through all, the simple-hearted citizen and the noble-minded man. But no act in all his long life-time of seventy-five years became him better than the spirit in which he accepted the great change that made the great lord patroon of half a million acres the plain, untitled citizen of a free republic.
“Though born to hereditary honors and aristocratic rank,” says his biographer, “with the history of the past before him, in possession of an estate which connected him nearly with feudal times and a feudal ancestry, and which constituted him in his boyhood a baronial proprietor, he found himself, at twenty-one, through a forcible and bloody revolution, the mere fee-simple owner of acres, with just such political rights and privileges as belonged to his own freehold tenantry, and no other.” And though the Revolution, in giving his country independence, had stripped him of power and personal advantages, he accepted the change without regret, and preferred his position as one in a whole nation of freemen, to that feudal rank which he had inherited from generations of ancestors, as the Boy Patroon, the last Lord of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck.
From the patrician emperor of old Rome to the patrician citizen of modern America these sketches of Historic Boys have extended. They represent but a few from that long list of remarkable boys, who, through the ages, have left their mark upon their times,—lads who, even had they died “in their teens,” would still have been worthy of record as “historic boys.” The lessons of their lives are manifold. They tell of pride and selfishness, of tyranny and wasted power, of self-reliance and courage, of ambition and self-conquest, of patience and manliness. History is but the record of opportunities for action availed of or neglected. And opportunities are never wanting. They exist to-day in the cities of the New World, even as they did ages ago with young David in the valley of Elah, with the boy Marcus in the forum of Rome, or with the valiant young Harry of Monmouth striving for victory on the bloody field of Shrewsbury.
Whenever or wherever a manly boy says his word for justice and for right, or does his simple duty in a simple, straightforward way, regardless of consequences or of the world’s far too-ready sneer or frown, the stamp of the hero may be seen; and however humble his condition or contracted his sphere there is in him the mettle and the possibilities that may make him, even though he know it not, a worthy claimant for an honored place on the world’s record of Historic Boys.
The End
Footnotes
AL The Fuyck, or fish-net,—an old Dutch name for Albany.
AM Commissioners and sheriffs.
AN Mush and milk.
AO A kind of chopped meat.
AP One of the old Dutch “show houses” of Albany 100 years ago.
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Blackie & Son’s
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TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO:
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THE UNIVERSE:
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THE YOUNG CARTHAGINIAN:
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“The brightest of all the living writers whose office it is to enchant the boys.”—Christian Leader.
THROUGH THE FRAY:
The author in this story has followed the lines which he worked out so successfully in Facing Death. As in that story he shows that there are victories to be won in peaceful fields, and that steadfastness and tenacity are virtues which tell in the long run. The story is laid in Yorkshire at the commencement of the present century, when the high price of food induced by the war and the introduction of machinery drove the working-classes to desperation, and caused them to band themselves in that widespread organization known as the Luddite Society. There is an abundance of adventure in the tale, but its chief interest lies in the character of the hero, and the manner in which by a combination of circumstances he is put on trial for his life, but at last comes victorious “through the fray.”
“Mr. Henty inspires a love and admiration for straightforwardness, truth, and courage. This is one of the best of the many good books Mr. Henty has produced, and deserves to be classed with his Facing Death.”—Standard.
“The interest of the story never flags. Were we to propose a competition for the best list of novel writers for boys we have little doubt that Mr. Henty’s name would stand first.”—Journal of Education.
TRUE TO THE OLD FLAG:
In this story the author has gone to the accounts of English officers who took part in the conflict, and lads will find that in no war in which British soldiers have been engaged did they behave with greater courage and good conduct. The historical portion of the book being accompanied with numerous thrilling adventures with the redskins on the shores of Lake Huron, a story of exciting interest is interwoven with the general narrative and carried through the book.
“Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British soldiers during the unfortunate struggle against American emancipation. The son of an American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the hostile redskins in that very Huron country which has been endeared to us by the exploits of Hawkeye and Chingachgook.”—The Times.
“Mr. G. A. Henty’s extensive personal experience of adventures and moving incidents by flood and field, combined with a gift of picturesque narrative, make his books always welcome visitors in the home circle.”—Daily News.
“Very superior in every way. The book is almost unique in its class in having illustrative maps.”—Saturday Review.
BY G. A. HENTY.
“Mr. Henty’s books never fail to interest boy readers.”—Academy.
IN FREEDOM’S CAUSE:
In this story the author relates the stirring tale of the Scottish War of Independence. The extraordinary valour and personal prowess of Wallace and Bruce rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry, and indeed at one time Wallace was ranked with these legendary personages. The researches of modern historians have shown, however, that he was a living, breathing man—and a valiant champion. The hero of the tale fought under both Wallace and Bruce, and while the strictest historical accuracy has been maintained with respect to public events, the work is full of “hairbreadth ’scapes” and wild adventure.
“Mr. Henty has broken new ground as an historical novelist. His tale is full of stirring action, and will commend itself to boys.”—Athenæum.
“It is written in the author’s best style. Full of the wildest and most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a boy, once he has begun it, will not willingly put on one side.”—The Schoolmaster.
“Scarcely anywhere have we seen in prose a more lucid and spirit-stirring description of Bannockburn than the one with which the author fittingly closes his volume.”—Dumfries Standard.
UNDER DRAKE’S FLAG:
A story of the days when England and Spain struggled for the supremacy of the sea, and England carried off the palm. The heroes sail as lads with Drake in the expedition in which the Pacific Ocean was first seen by an Englishman from a tree-top on the Isthmus of Panama, and in his great voyage of circumnavigation. The historical portion of the story is absolutely to be relied upon, but this, although very useful to lads, will perhaps be less attractive than the great variety of exciting adventure through which the young adventurers pass in the course of their voyages.
“A stirring book of Drake’s time, and just such a book as the youth of this maritime country are likely to prize highly.”—Daily Telegraph.
“Ned in the coils of the boa-constrictor is a wonderful picture. A boy must be hard to please if he wishes for anything more exciting.”—Pall Mall Gazette.
“A book of adventure, where the hero meets with experience enough one would think to turn his hair gray.”—Harper’s Monthly Magazine.
BY G. A. HENTY.
“Mr. Henty is the prince of story-tellers for boys.”—Sheffield Independent.
THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE:
There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so completely fallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of Peterborough. This is largely due to the fact that they were overshadowed by the glory and successes of Marlborough. His career as General extended over little more than a year, and yet, in that time, he showed a genius for warfare which has never been surpassed, and performed feats of daring worthy of the leaders of chivalry.
Round the fortunes of Jack Stilwell, the hero, and of Peterborough, Mr. Henty has woven an interesting and instructive narrative descriptive of this portion of the War of the Spanish Succession (1705-6).
THE DRAGON AND THE RAVEN:
In this story the author gives an account of the desperate struggle between Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid picture of the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the ravages of the sea-wolves. The hero of the story, a young Saxon thane, takes part in all the battles fought by King Alfred, and the incidents in his career are unusually varied and exciting. He is driven from his home, takes to the sea and resists the Danes on their own element, and being pursued by them up the Seine, is present at the long and desperate siege of Paris.
“Perhaps the best story of the early days of England which has yet been told.”—Court Journal.
“A well-built superstructure of fiction on an interesting substratum of fact. Treated in a manner most attractive to the boyish reader.”—Athenæum.
“A story that may justly be styled remarkable. Boys, in reading it, will be surprised to find how Alfred persevered, through years of bloodshed and times of peace, to rescue his people from the thraldom of the Danes. We hope the book will soon be widely known in all our schools.”—Schoolmaster.
“We know of no popular book in which the stirring incidents of the reign of the heroic Saxon king are made accessible to young readers as they are here. Mr. Henty has made a book which will afford much delight to boys, and is of genuine historic value.”—Scotsman.
BY G. A. HENTY.
“Mr. Henty is one of the best of story-tellers for young people.”—Spectator.
A FINAL RECKONING:
In this book Mr. Henty has again left the battlefields of history and has written a story of adventure in Australia in the early days of its settlement, when the bush-rangers and the natives constituted a real and formidable danger.
The hero, a young English lad, after rather a stormy boyhood, emigrates to Australia, where he gets employment as an officer in the mounted police.
A few years of active work on the frontier, where he has many a brush with both natives and bush-rangers, gain him promotion to a captaincy. In that post he greatly distinguishes himself, and finally leaves the service and settles down to the peaceful life of a squatter.
ST. GEORGE FOR ENGLAND:
No portion of English history is more crowded with great events than that of the reign of Edward III. Cressy and Poitiers laid France prostrate at the feet of England; the Spanish fleet was dispersed and destroyed by a naval battle as remarkable in its incidents as was that which broke up the Armada in the time of Elizabeth. Europe was ravaged by the dreadful plague known as the Black Death, and France was the scene of the terrible peasant rising called the Jacquerie. All these stirring events are treated by the author in St. George for England. The hero of the story, although of good family, begins life as a London apprentice, but after countless adventures and perils, becomes by valour and good conduct the squire, and at last the trusted friend of the Black Prince.
“A story of very great interest for boys. In his own forcible style the author has endeavoured to show that determination and enthusiasm can accomplish marvellous results; that courage is generally accompanied by magnanimity and gentleness, and that it is the parent of nearly all the other virtues, since but few of them can be practised without it.”—Pall Mall Gazette.
“Mr. Henty has developed for himself a type of historical novel for boys which bids fair to supplement, on their behalf, the historical labours of Sir Walter Scott in the land of fiction.”—Standard.
“Mr. Henty as a boy’s story-teller stands in the very foremost rank. With plenty of scope to work upon he has produced a strong story at once instructive and entertaining.”—Glasgow Herald.
BY G. A. HENTY.
“Among writers of stories of adventure for boys Mr. Henty stands in the very first rank.”—Academy.
FOR NAME AND FAME:
This is an interesting story of the last war in Afghanistan. The hero, after being wrecked and going through many stirring adventures among the Malays, finds his way to Calcutta, and enlists in a regiment proceeding to join the army at the Afghan passes. He accompanies the force under General Roberts to the Peiwar Kotal, is wounded, taken prisoner, and carried to Cabul, whence he is transferred to Candahar, and takes part in the final defeat of the army of Ayoub Khan.
“Mr. Henty’s pen is never more effectively employed than when he is describing incidents of warfare. The best feature of the book—apart from the interest of its scenes of adventure—is its honest effort to do justice to the patriotism of the Afghan people.”—Daily News.
“Here we have not only a rousing story, replete with all the varied forms of excitement of a campaign, but an instructive history of a recent war, and, what is still more useful, an account of a territory and its inhabitants which must for a long time possess a supreme interest for Englishmen, as being the key to our Indian Empire.”—Glasgow Herald.
BY SHEER PLUCK:
The Ashanti Campaign seems but an event of yesterday, but it happened when the generation now rising up were too young to have made themselves acquainted with its incidents. The author has woven, in a tale of thrilling interest, all the details of the campaign, of which he was himself a witness. His hero, after many exciting adventures in the interior, finds himself at Coomassie just before the outbreak of the war, is detained a prisoner by the king, is sent down with the army which invaded the British Protectorate, escapes, and accompanies the English expedition on their march to Coomassie.
“Mr. Henty keeps up his reputation as a writer of boys’ stories. ‘By Sheer Pluck’ will be eagerly read.”—Athenæum.
“The book is one which will not only sustain, but add to Mr. Henty’s reputation.”—The Standard.
“Written with a simple directness, force, and purity of style worthy of Defoe. Morally, the book is everything that could be desired, setting before the boys a bright and bracing ideal of the English gentleman.”—Christian Leader.
BY G. A. HENTY.
“Mr. Henty’s books are always welcome visitors in the home circle.”—Daily News.
FACING DEATH:
“Facing Death” is a story with a purpose. It is intended to show that a lad who makes up his mind firmly and resolutely that he will rise in life, and who is prepared to face toil and ridicule and hardship to carry out his determination, is sure to succeed. The hero of the story is a typical British boy, dogged, earnest, generous, and though “shamefaced” to a degree, is ready to face death in the discharge of duty. His is a character for imitation by boys in every station.
“The tale is well written and well illustrated, and there is much reality in the characters.”—Athenæum.
“If any father, godfather, clergyman, or schoolmaster is on the look-out for a good book to give as a present to a boy who is worth his salt, this is the book we would recommend.”—Standard.
YARNS ON THE BEACH.
“This little book should find special favour among boys. The yarns are spun by old sailors, and while full of romance and adventure, are admirably calculated to foster a manly spirit.”—The Echo.
BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
IN THE KING’S NAME:
“In the King’s Name” is a spirited story of the Jacobite times, concerning the adventures of Hilary Leigh, a young naval officer in the preventive service off the coast of Sussex, on board the Kestrel. Leigh is taken prisoner by the adherents of the Pretender, amongst whom is an early friend and patron who desires to spare the lad’s life, but will not release him. The narrative is full of exciting and often humorous incident.
“Mr. Fenn has won a foremost place among writers for boys. ‘In the King’s Name’ is, we think, the best of all his productions in this field.”—Daily News.
“Told with the freshness and verve which characterize all Mr. Fenn’s writings and put him in the front rank of writers for boys.”—Standard.
BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
“Mr. Manville Fenn may be regarded as the successor in boyhood’s affections of Captain Mayne Reid.”—Academy.
DEVON BOYS:
The adventures of Sep Duncan and his school friends take place in the early part of the Georgian era, during the wars between England and France. The scene is laid on the picturesque rocky coast of North Devon, where the three lads pass through many perils both afloat and ashore. Fishermen, smugglers, naval officers, and a stern old country surgeon play their parts in the story, which is one of honest adventure with the mastering of difficulties in a wholesome manly way, mingled with sufficient excitement to satisfy the most exacting reader. The discovery of the British silver mine and its working up and defence take up a large portion of the story.
BROWNSMITH’S BOY.
The career of “Brownsmith’s Boy” embraces the home adventures of an orphan, who, having formed the acquaintance of an eccentric old gardener, accepts his offer of a home and finds that there is plenty of romance in a garden, and much excitement even in a journey now and then to town. In a half-savage lad he finds a friend who shows his love and fidelity principally by pretending to be an enemy. In “Brownsmith’s Boy” there is abundance of excitement and trouble within four walls.
“‘Brownsmith’s Boy’ excels all the numerous ‘juvenile’ books that the present season has yet produced.”—Academy.
“Mr. Fenn’s books are among the best, if not altogether the best, of the stories for boys. Mr. Fenn is at his best in ‘Brownsmith’s Boy.’ The story is a thoroughly manly and healthy one.”—Pictorial World.
“‘Brownsmith’s Boy’ must rank among the few undeniably good boys’ books. He will be a very dull boy indeed who lays it down without wishing that it had gone on for at least 100 pages more.”—North British Mail.
“Is every way a charming book for young people. The author has much of the inventiveness of the well-known French writer Jules Verne; indeed, he is in the front rank of writers of stories for boys. Parents especially ought to be very thankful to him for providing their sons with so much wholesome and fascinating amusement in the way of literature.”—Liverpool Mercury.
BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
“There is a freshness, a buoyancy, a heartiness about Mr. Fenn’s writings.”—Standard.
THE GOLDEN MAGNET:
The tale is of a romantic lad, who leaves home to seek his fortune in South America by endeavouring to discover some of that treasure which legends declare was ages ago hidden to preserve it from the Spanish invaders. He is accompanied by a faithful companion, who, in the capacity both of comrade and henchman, does true service, and shows the dogged courage of the English lad during the strange adventures which befall them.
“Told with admirable force and strength. Few men other than Mr. Fenn have the capacity for telling such stories as this.”—Scotsman.
“There could be no more welcome present for a boy. There is not a dull page, and many will be read with breathless interest.”—Journal of Education.
BUNYIP LAND:
“Bunyip Land” is the story of an eminent botanist, who ventures into the interior of New Guinea in his search for new plants. Years pass away, and he does not return; and though supposed to be dead, his young wife and son refuse to believe it; and as soon as he is old enough young Joe goes in search of his father, accompanied by Jimmy, a native black. Their adventures are many and exciting, but after numerous perils they discover the lost one, a prisoner among the blacks, and bring him home in triumph.
“Mr. Fenn deserves the thanks of everybody for ‘Bunyip Land’ and ‘Menhardoc,’ and we may venture to promise that a quiet week may be reckoned on whilst the youngsters have such fascinating literature provided for their evenings’ amusement.”—Spectator.
“One of the best tales of adventure produced by any living writer, combining the inventiveness of Jules Verne, and the solidity of character and earnestness of spirit which have made the English victorious in so many fields of labour and research.”—Daily Chronicle.
A TERRIBLE COWARD.
The tale of a lad who never bounced, bragged, or bullied. When the testing time came, however, the “coward” was found to be the one who distanced all by his cool unflinching English courage.
“Just such a tale as boys will delight to read, and as they are certain to profit by.”—Aberdeen Journal.
BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
“Mr. Fenn is in the front rank of writers of stories for boys.”—Liverpool Mercury.
YUSSUF THE GUIDE:
Deals with the stirring incidents in the career of Lawrence Grange, a lad who has been almost given over by the doctors, but who rapidly recovers health and strength in a journey through Asia Minor with his guardians “The Professor” and “The Lawyer.” Yussuf is their guide; and in their journeyings through the wild mountain region in search of the ancient cities of the Greeks and Romans they penetrate where law is disregarded, and finally fall into the hands of brigands. Their adventures in this rarely-traversed romantic region are many, and culminate in the travellers being snowed up for the winter in the mountains, from which they escape while their captors are waiting for the ransom that does not come.
MENHARDOC:
The scene of this story of boyish aspiration and adventure is laid among the granite piles and tors of Cornwall. Here amongst the hardy, honest fishermen and miners the two London boys are inducted into the secrets of fishing in the great bay, they learn how to catch mackerel, pollack, and conger with the line, and are present at the hauling of the nets, although not without incurring many serious risks. Adventures are pretty plentiful, but the story has for its strong base the development of character of the three boys. There is a good deal of quaint character throughout, and the sketches of Cornish life and local colouring are based upon experience in the bay, whose fishing village is called here Menhardoc. This is a thoroughly English story of phases of life but little touched upon in boys’ literature up to the present time.
“They are real living boys, with the virtues and faults which characterize the transition stage between boyhood and manhood. The Cornish fishermen are drawn from life, they are racy of the soil, salt with the sea-water, and they stand out from the pages in their jerseys and sea-boots all sprinkled with silvery pilchard scales.”—Spectator.
“Mr. Fenn has written many books in his time; he has not often written one which for genuine merit as a story for young people will exceed this.”—Scotsman.
BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
“No one can find his way to the hearts of lads more readily than Mr. Fenn.”—Nottingham Guardian.
PATIENCE WINS:
This is a graphic narrative of factory life in the Black Country. The hero, Cob, and his three uncles, engineers, machinists, and inventors, go down to Arrowfield to set up “a works.” They find, however, that the workmen, through prejudice and ignorance, are determined to have no new-fangled machinery. After a series of narrow escapes and stirring encounters, the workmen by degrees find that no malice is borne against them, and at last admiration takes the place of hatred. A great business is built up, and its foundation is laid on the good-will of the men.
“An excellent story, the interest being sustained from first to last. This is, both in its intention and the way the story is told, one of the best books of its kind which has come before us this year.”—Saturday Review.
“Mr. Fenn is at his best in ‘Patience Wins.’ It is sure to prove acceptable to youthful readers, and will give a good idea of that which was the real state of one of our largest manufacturing towns not many years ago.”—Guardian.
“Mr. Fenn has written many a book for boys, but never has he hit upon a happier plan than in writing this story of Yorkshire factory life. The whole book, from page 1 to 352, is all aglow with life, the scenes varying continually with kaleidoscopic rapidity.”—Pall Mall Gazette.
NAT THE NATURALIST:
This is a pleasant story of a lad who has a great desire to go abroad to seek specimens in natural history, and has that desire gratified. The boy Nat and his uncle Dick go on a voyage to the remoter islands of the Eastern seas, and their adventures there are told in a truthful and vastly interesting fashion, which will at once attract and maintain the earnest attention of young readers. The descriptions of Mr. Ebony, their black comrade, and of the scenes of savage life, are full of genuine humour.
“Mr. Manville Fenn has here hit upon a capital idea.... This is among the best of the boys’ books of the season.”—The Times.
“This sort of book encourages independence of character, develops resource, and teaches a boy to keep his eyes open.”—Saturday Review.
“We can conceive of no more attractive present for a young naturalist.”—Land and Water.
“The late Lord Palmerston used to say that one use of war was to teach geography; such books as this teach it in a more harmless and cheaper way.”—Athenæum.
BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD.
“Mr. G. A. Henty has found a formidable rival in Mr. Collingwood.”—Academy.
THE LOG OF THE “FLYING FISH:”
In this story the aim of the author has been, not only to interest and amuse, but also to stimulate a taste for scientific study. He has utilized natural science as a peg whereon to hang the web of a narrative of absorbing interest, interweaving therewith sundry very striking scientific facts in such a manner as to provoke a desire for further information.
Professor Von Schalckenberg constructs a gigantic and wonderful ship, appropriately named the Flying Fish, which is capable of navigating not only the higher reaches of the atmosphere, but also the extremest depths of ocean; and in her the four adventurers make a voyage to the North Pole, and to a hitherto unexplored portion of Central Africa.
In common with all this author’s stories, “The Log of the Flying Fish” is thoroughly healthy and unexceptionable in tone, and may be unhesitatingly placed in the hands of “our boys,” who will enjoy in its perusal a literary treat entirely after their own hearts.
THE CONGO ROVERS:
The scene of this tale is laid on the west coast of Africa, and in the lower reaches of the Congo; the characteristic scenery of the great river being delineated with wonderful accuracy and completeness of detail. The hero of the story—a midshipman on board one of the ships of the slave squadron—after being effectually laughed out of his boyish vanity, develops into a lad possessed of a large share of sound common sense, the exercise of which enables him to render much valuable service to his superior officers in unmasking a most daring and successful ruse on the part of the slavers.
“Mr. Collingwood carries us off for another cruise at sea, in ‘The Congo Rovers,’ and boys will need no pressing to join the daring crew, which seeks adventures and meets with any number of them in the forests and pestilential fogs of the Congo.”—The Times.
“We can heartily recommend it as one that boys will be sure to read throughout with pleasure, and with advantage, also, to their morals and their imaginations.”—Academy.
“No better sea story has lately been written than the Congo Rovers. It is as original as any boy could desire.”—Morning Post.
BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD.
“Mr. Collingwood has established his reputation as a first-rate writer of sea-stories.”—Scotsman.
THE PIRATE ISLAND:
This story details the adventures of a lad who was found in his infancy on board a wreck, and is adopted by a fisherman. By a deed of true gallantry his whole destiny is changed, and, going to sea, he forms one of a party who, after being burned out of their ship in the South Pacific, and experiencing great hardship and suffering in their boats, are picked up by a pirate brig and taken to the “Pirate Island.” After many thrilling adventures, they ultimately succeed in effecting their escape. The story depicts both the Christian and the manly virtues in such colours as will cause them to be admired—and therefore imitated.
“A capital story of the sea; indeed in our opinion the author is superior in some respects as a marine novelist to the better known Mr. Clarke Russell.”—The Times.
“The best of these books.... The events are described with minuteness and care. The result is a very amusing book.”—Saturday Review.
“Told in the most vivid and graphic language. It would be difficult to find a more thoroughly delightful gift-book.”—The Guardian.
“One of the very best books for boys that we have seen for a long time: its author is thoroughly at home in maritime matters, and stands far in advance of any other writer for boys as a teller of stories of the sea.”—The Standard.
“There is enough to make any boy dream of all that is strange and wild. But bravery and gentleness and helpfulness are shown in all their beauty; and so we should like as many boys as possible to read the story and admire the daring deeds.”—Christian Leader.
BY DOUGLAS FRAZAR.
PERSEVERANCE ISLAND:
This story shows the limitless ingenuity and invention of man, and portrays the works and achievements of a castaway, who, thrown ashore almost literally naked upon a desert isle, is able, by the use of his brains, the skill of his hands, and a practical knowledge of the common arts and sciences, to far surpass the achievements of all his predecessors, and to surround himself with implements of power utterly beyond the reach of the original Robinson Crusoe.
“One of the best issues, if not absolutely the best, of Defoe’s work which has ever appeared.”—The Standard.
THE LIFE AND SURPRISING ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON CRUSOE.
BY DANIEL DEFOE.
Beautifully Printed, and Illustrated by above 100 Pictures Designed by Gordon Browne.
There have been countless editions of Robinson Crusoe, and they have mostly been imperfect, inasmuch as they have been so largely altered from the original text that the language in many instances has not been that of Defoe but of his revisers. The present volume has been carefully printed from the original edition, and all obsolete or little-known terms and obscure phrases are explained in brief foot-notes. The “Editing” is not a corruption or pretended improvement of Defoe’s great work.
“Of the many editions of Defoe’s immortal story that have passed through our hands in recent years, we are inclined to rank this the most desirable as a present for a good boy.”—The Academy.
GULLIVER’S TRAVELS.
The wonderful travels of Gulliver “into several remote regions of the world” are still as fresh and entertaining as when they were first presented to the public more than a hundred and fifty years ago. In this edition the text has been judiciously curtailed by the omission of several passages quite unsuited for the perusal of the young or for family reading; and foot-notes to the text have been added to explain and throw light on those allusions, references, &c., which a young reader would not understand.
“Mr. Gordon Browne is, to my thinking, incomparably the most artistic, spirited, and brilliant of our illustrators of books for boys, and one of the most humorous also, as his illustrations of ‘Gulliver’ amply testify.”—Truth.
“By help of the admirable illustrations, and a little judicious skipping, it has enchanted a family party of ages varying from six to sixty. Which of the other Christmas books could stand this test?”—Journal of Education.
BY ASCOTT R. HOPE.
STORIES OF OLD RENOWN:
A Series of the best of the Stories of Noble Knighthood and Old Romance, told in refined and simple language, and adapted to young readers. A book possessing remarkable attractions for boys.
“The stories are admirably chosen. It is a book to be coveted by all young readers.”—Scotsman.
“One of the best, if not the best, boys’ book of the season.”—Truth.
THE WIGWAM AND THE WAR-PATH:
“The Wigwam and the War-path” consists of stories of Red Indians which are none the less romantic for being true. They are taken from the actual records of those who have been made prisoners by the red men or have lived among them, joining in their expeditions and taking part in their semi-savage but often picturesque and adventurous life.
“Mr. Hope’s volume is notably good: it gives a very vivid picture of life among the Indians.”—Spectator.
“All the stories are told well, in simple spirited language and with a fulness of detail that makes them instructive as well as interesting.”—Journal of Education.
BY J. PERCY GROVES.
REEFER AND RIFLEMAN:
A tale of the naval and military services in the early part of the present century. The hero enters the Royal Navy just after the rupture of the Peace of Amiens. After a short but eventful career afloat, he returns home, and subsequently joins the sister service, being appointed to a second lieutenancy in the old 95th Rifles. The ex-“reefer” takes an active part in the opening scenes of the Peninsular War, and meets with varied adventures in Portugal and Spain. After the battle of Coruña he once more returns to England. The story has an historical interest as well as a plot of exciting adventure, and a spice of humour which will commend it to the attention of lads who admire the stories of Captain Marryat.
BY JOHN C. HUTCHESON.
“Mr. Hutcheson bids fair to take a prominent place among our best writers of boys’ books.”—The Academy.
THE WHITE SQUALL:
Commencing amid the fairy-like scenes and surroundings of a West Indian home, this story passes to Tom Eastman’s setting sail from the Windward Islands on a voyage to England. At first the good ship Josephine glides buoyantly through the balmy waters of the Caribbean Sea, but getting out into the broad Atlantic, calm and whirlwind are succeeded by a gale which drives her to the confines of the Sargasso Sea, that meadow-like portion of the ocean, between the Azores and Bermuda, which is constantly covered with the fibrous tentacles of the gulf-weed. Here a sudden and unexpected “white squall” assails her—the Josephine is turned over on her beam-ends, and the captain and crew climb up on the ship’s keel for shelter. How they extricate themselves from this terrible predicament, and how the Josephine is righted and pursues her voyage safely to the English Channel, the reader will discover in the book.
THE WRECK OF THE NANCY BELL:
This is a book after a boy’s own heart. The story narrates the eventful voyage of a vessel from the port of London to New Zealand, and the haps and mishaps that befell her, culminating in the wreck of the Nancy Bell on Kerguelen Land. There is no lack of incident. From the opening chapter, with the cowardly steward’s alarm of “a ghost in the cabin,” to the end of the story, which details the rescue of the shipwrecked passengers, one engrossing narrative holds the attention of the reader.
“A full circumstantial narrative such as boys delight in. The ship so sadly destined to wreck on Kerguelen Land is manned by a very life-like party, passengers and crew. The life in the Antarctic Iceland is well treated.”—Athenæum.
TOM FINCH’S MONKEY
“Short stories of an altogether unexceptionable character, with adventure sufficient for a dozen books of its size.”—United Service Gazette.
BY JOHN C. HUTCHESON.
“Mr. Hutcheson is master of a capital style for boy readers.”—Scotsman.
PICKED UP AT SEA:
The story of a young English lad, rescued in mid Atlantic from a watery grave, and taken out west by a party of gold-diggers to the wild regions of the Black Hills in Dakota. Here, after warring with the elements during months of unceasing toil in their search for the riches of the earth, and having the result of their indefatigable labour well-nigh torn from their grasp when on the verge of victory, success at last rewards the efforts of the adventurous band.
“A capital book; full of startling incident, clever dialogue, admirable descriptions of sky and water in all their aspects, and plenty of fun.”—Sheffield Independent.
“This is the first appearance of the author as a writer of books for boys, and the success is so marked that it may well encourage him to further efforts. The description of mining life in the Far-west is true and accurate.”—Standard.
TEDDY:
This is the story of a little fellow, who, while brave and fearless, is always in mischief, and a torment to everyone connected with him, by reason of his natural exuberance of animal spirits. As Teddy cannot manage to steer clear of hot water on shore he is sent to sea, in the hope that discipline and duty will tame down the rough points of his character, and teach him to be a noble and good man. Although a “little pickle” at the beginning of his career, Teddy turns out a little hero at the close of the story, as the reader will find out if the wonderful adventures of the “young torment” be followed to the end.
THE PENANG PIRATE,
Deals with the pirates who infest the great water-highways of the East, and tells how a party of Malayan freebooters were caught in their own toils and how the gallant ship Hankow Lin voyaged from the Canton river through the straits of Sunda. Both stories are founded on fact.
“A book which most boys will thoroughly enjoy. It is rattling, adventurous, and romantic, and the stories are thoroughly healthy in tone, and written by a skilful hand.”—Aberdeen Journal.
BY MRS. R. H. READ.
SILVER MILL:
The story of a girl and boy. The chief interest centres around Ruth, who is supposed to be the orphan child of a working-man, but who eventually turns out to be the daughter of the cynical, though essentially kind-hearted, owner of Silver Mill. In tracing the character of Ruth as she develops from an impulsive girl to noble womanhood, the author has drawn a picture at once pleasing and suggestive.
“Another of those pleasant stories which are always acceptable, especially perhaps to girls standing on the debatable ground between girlhood and young ladyhood.”—The Guardian.
“A good girl’s story-book. The plot is interesting, and the heroine, Ruth, a lady by birth, though brought up in a humble station, well deserves the more elevated position in which the end of the book leaves her. The pictures are very spirited.”—Saturday Review.
DORA:
The story of a friendless orphan girl, who is placed as pupil-teacher at the school in which she was educated, but is suddenly removed by hard and selfish relatives, who employ her as a menial as well as a governess. Through a series of exciting adventures she makes discoveries respecting a large property which is restored to its rightful owners, and at the same time she secures her escape from her persecutors.
“It is no slight thing, in an age of rubbish, to get a story so pure and healthy.”—The Academy.
“One of the most pleasing stories for young people that we have met with of late years. There is in it a freshness, simplicity, and naturalness very engaging.”—Harper’s Magazine.
FAIRY FANCY:
The tale is designed to show the influence of character even among little children, and the narrative is such as to awaken and sustain the interest of the younger readers.
“The authoress has very great insight into child nature.”—Glasgow Herald.
“All is pleasant, nice reading, with a little knowledge of natural history and other matters gently introduced and divested of dryness.”—Practical Teacher.
OUR DOLLY:
A story showing the growth and development of character in a little girl; with a series of entertaining small adventures suitable for very juvenile readers.
“Prettily told and prettily illustrated.”—Guardian.
“Sure to be a great favourite with young children.”—School Guardian.
BY ALICE BANKS.
CHEEP AND CHATTER:
Or, Lessons from Field and Tree. By Alice Banks. With 54 Character Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Small 4to, cloth, handsome design on cover, 3s. 6d.; gilt edges, 4s.
About a dozen highly dramatic sketches or little stories, the actors in which are birds, beasts, and insects. They are instructive, suited to the capacities of young people, and very amusing.
“The real charm of the volume lies in the illustrations. Every one is a success. With birds and mice and insects the artist is equally at home; but his birds above all are inimitable.”—Academy.
“The author has done her work extremely well, and has conveyed very many admirable lessons to young people. The illustrations are capital—full of fun and genuine humour.”—Scotsman.
BY LEWIS HOUGH.
DR. JOLLIFFE’S BOYS:
A story of school life which will be read with genuine interest, especially as it exposes some of the dangers which may beset lads who are ill instructed at home or have been thrown among unscrupulous companions. The descriptions of the characters of the boys are vivid and truthful. The narrative throughout is bright, easy, and lighted by touches of humour.
“Young people who appreciate ‘Tom Brown’s School-days’ will find this story a worthy companion to that fascinating book. There is the same manliness of tone, truthfulness of outline, avoidance of exaggeration and caricature, and healthy morality as characterized the masterpiece of Mr. Hughes.”—Newcastle Journal.
BY MRS. EMMA RAYMOND PITMAN.
“Mrs. Pitman’s works are all to be prized for their ennobling character—pure, elevating, interesting, and intellectual.”—Christian Union.
GARNERED SHEAVES.
“This book is of unusual merit. It breathes out good thoughts in earnest and true tones that speak to the heart.”—Schoolmistress.
LIFE’S DAILY MINISTRY.
“Full of stirring interest, genuine pictures of real life, and pervaded by a broad and active sympathy for the true and good.”—Christian Commonwealth.
FLORENCE GODFREY’S FAITH.
“This is a clever, and what is better still, a good book, written with a freshness and power which win the reader’s sympathies.”—Christian Globe.
MY GOVERNESS LIFE:
“Told in the author’s usual winsome style, which holds the reader spell-bound from first to last.”—Christian Union.
BY HENRY FRITH.
THE SEARCH FOR THE TALISMAN:
A stirring tale of adventure. Four youths and two elder relatives proceed in search of a “talisman” left by the father of two of the young explorers when an officer in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s service. On an exploring expedition they are separated, and various adventures result until they unite again and land amongst the Esquimaux. After suffering many vicissitudes they succeed in recovering the talisman.
“A genial and rollicking tale. It is a regular boys’ book, and a very cheery and wholesome one.”—Spectator.
“Is everything that a boy’s book should be—healthy in teaching, instructive, yet never dull. Mr. Frith is a thorough master of boy nature.”—Glasgow Herald.
JACK O’ LANTHORN:
A story of the days when George the Third was king. The hero gets into certain scrapes, and at the sea-coast makes the acquaintance of Jack o’ Lanthorn. Drifting out to sea in an open boat they discover in a singular manner the approach of the Spanish fleet, and Jack accompanies the hero of the tale to report what they have seen. Seized by a press-gang they are taken off to sea, and eventually take part in the defence of Gibraltar.
“‘Jack o’ Lanthorn’ will hold its own with the best works of Mr. Henty and Mr. Fenn.”—Morning Advertiser.
“The narrative is crushed full of stirring incident, and is sure to be a prime favourite with boys.”—Christian Leader.
BY F. BAYFORD HARRISON.
BROTHERS IN ARMS:
A story which, while it provides exciting incidents and vivid descriptions, will be of real value to the young reader because of its containing accurate historical information on the subject of the Crusades and the doings of Richard the Lion-heart and his army in the Holy Land.
“Full of striking incident, is very fairly illustrated, and may safely be chosen as sure to prove interesting to young people of both sexes.”—Guardian.
“One of the best accounts of the Crusades it has been our privilege to read. The book cannot fail to interest boys.”—Schoolmistress.
BY MARY C. ROWSELL.
TRAITOR OR PATRIOT?
A romantic tale of the later days of Charles II. The main theme of the story is the conspiracy for the assassination of the king and the Duke of York, which was to be effected on their return from Newmarket. The hero of the story, Lawrence Lee, a young farmer, accidentally learns the truth, and starts on horseback for Newmarket to warn the king. After a series of adventures, the young man succeeds in his loyal enterprise, and duly receives his reward for his conspicuous share in the frustration of the “Rye-House Plot.”
“A romantic love episode, whose true characters are life-like beings, not dry sticks as in many historical tales.”—Graphic.
“The character of the heroine, Ruth, is singularly pretty and attractive: we thank the author for so charming a creation.”—Bristol Mercury.
THE PEDLAR AND HIS DOG.
A story of English life in the time of Good Queen Bess. Accompanying John Pennycuick and his dog Shock in their wanderings, we get a pleasant view of rural England, quiet and peaceful then, as it is now, and of London with its quaint old streets and houses.
“The opening chapter, with its description of Necton Fair, will forcibly remind many readers of George Eliot. The style is clear and attractive, and taken altogether it is a delightful story.”—Western Morning News.
BY ELIZABETH J. LYSAGHT.
BROTHER AND SISTER:
An interesting story for young people, showing by the narrative of the vicissitudes and struggles of a family which has “come down in the world,” and of the brave endeavours of its two younger members, how the pressure of adversity is mitigated by domestic affection, mutual confidence, and hopeful honest effort.
“A pretty story, and well told. The plot is cleverly constructed, and the moral is excellent.”—Athenæum.
“‘Brother and Sister’ is a charming story, admirably adapted for young people.”—Society.
BY E. S. BROOKS.
HISTORIC BOYS:
The careers of a dozen young fellows of different lands and epochs, such as show that, from the earliest ages, manliness and self-reliance have ever been the chief groundwork of character.
“We may safely predict that this book will be voraciously read by every boy into whose hands it may come: and no boy will read it without being thereby better fitted to fight the battle of life.”—Literary World.
BY JANE ANDREWS.
TEN BOYS
Introduces the stories of Kablu the Aryan Boy, Darius the Persian Boy, Cleon the Greek Boy, Horatius the Roman Boy, Wulf the Saxon Boy, Gilbert the Page, Roger the English Lad, Ezekiel Fuller the Puritan Boy, Jonathan Dawson the Yankee Boy, Frank Wilson the Boy of 1885, and gives much entertaining and instructive reading on the manners and customs of the different nations from Aryan age to now.
BY EVELYN EVERETT GREEN.
THE EVERSLEY SECRETS.
This is a story of family life, and deals with the effects of the influence of one member of the family upon another. The story is told in the easy but deeply engaging style for which the author has attained a high reputation.
BY R. STEAD.
THE LADS OF LITTLE CLAYTON:
These stories show that humble country boys are often as well worth writing about as the young gentlemen of the public school or academy. The stories will be found interesting and even exciting, and most of them have the advantage of being founded on fact. A healthy moral tone pervades the tales.
FAMOUS DISCOVERIES BY SEA AND LAND.
Narratives of the stirring times when the great achievement of Columbus had shown that beyond the Atlantic there were new worlds and oceans to discover and explore—stories of bold adventure and heroic effort which, while strictly historical, are invested with all the charm of romance.
“Either of these volumes will be a gift beyond price for studious lads.”—Norwich Mercury.
“Such a volume may providentially stir up some youths by the divine fire kindled by these ’great of old’ to lay open other lands, and show their vast resources.”—Perthshire Advertiser.
STIRRING EVENTS OF HISTORY.
The incidents in this volume have been drawn from times and countries wide apart, the aim having been to present the young reader with a series of historical pictures instructive in themselves, and thus to induce a taste for further reading in the same direction.
“The volume will fairly hold its place among those which make the smaller ways of history pleasant and attractive. It may safely be selected as a gift-book, in which the interest will not be exhausted with one reading.”—Guardian.
STORIES OF THE SEA IN FORMER DAYS:
While no attempt is made in “Stories of the Sea” to paint the sailor’s life in glowing colours, or invest it with a glamour of romance, the narratives selected are full of such thrilling incidents of peril, suffering, and shipwreck, as are always deeply interesting to the young reader.
“Next to an original sea-tale of sustained interest come well-sketched collections of maritime peril and suffering which awaken the sympathies by the realism of fact. ‘Stories of the Sea,’ are a very good specimen of the kind.”—The Times.
ADVENTURES IN FIELD, FLOOD, & FOREST:
These narratives of real personal experience in “Field, Flood, and Forest,” while in no sense fictitious, will be found quite as exciting and more truly interesting than the most cunningly devised fables.
“The editor has beyond all question succeeded admirably.... It cannot fail to be read with interest and advantage.”—Academy.
“All admirably told. It will be counted one of the best of the story-books that Christmas produces.”—Scotsman.
TALES OF CAPTIVITY AND EXILE.
A volume of stories of men and women in many lands, who in prison or in exile have suffered for their conscientious convictions, or have been the victims of irresponsible tyranny. The walls of many a dungeon in ancient as well as modern times could tell of heroic endurance of wrong, and of marvellous patience and ingenuity in devising means of lightening the horrors of the prison or effecting deliverance from it. In this volume will be found authentic records of many of these more notable life-stories.
THE JOYOUS STORY OF TOTO.
Toto is a little boy who finds his friends among the birds and the animals, who tell him many wonderful stories in a bright, quaint, humorous fashion. The fun is genuine and cheerful, and the illustrations give a delightful personality to the characters.
“A very delightful book for children, which deserves to find a place in every nursery.”—Lady’s Pictorial.
“An excellent book for children, which should take its place beside Lewis Carroll’s unique works.”—Birmingham Gaz.
BY EMMA LESLIE.
GYTHA’S MESSAGE:
This is a story of the time of “Harold, the last of the Saxon Kings.” Though mainly a domestic title, we yet get a glimpse of the stirring events taking place in the country at that period. A good deal is learned of Saxon manners and customs, and both boys and girls will delight to read of the home life of Hilda and Gytha, and of the brave deeds of the impulsive Gurth and the faithful Leofric.
“This is a charmingly told story. It is the sort of book that all girls and some boys like, and can only get good from.”—Journal of Education.
“The book is throughout most interesting, and shows in a very natural manner the rough habits and usages in Saxon England.”—Schoolmistress.
BY M. A. PAULL.
MY MISTRESS THE QUEEN:
“My Mistress the Queen” is Mary, daughter of James II., into whose service the narrator, a girl of 16, enters just before the marriage of Mary to William III. The descriptions of persons and manners at the courts of Charles II. and William III. are life-like and accurate. The language is simple, and imitative of the quaint quiet style of that period.
“The style is pure and graceful, the presentation of manners and character has been well studied, and the story is full of interest.”—Scotsman.
“This is a charming book. The old-time sentiment which pervades the volume renders it all the more alluring.”—Western Mercury.
BY DARLEY DALE.
THE FAMILY FAILING.
This is a lively and amusing account of a family, the members of which while they lived in affluence were remarkable for their discontent, but who, after the loss of fortune has compelled them to seek a more humble home in Jersey, become less selfish, and develop very excellent traits of character under the pressure of comparative adversity.
“‘The Family Failing’ is at once an amusing and an interesting story, and a capital lesson on the value of contentedness.”—Aberdeen Journal.
BY ROSA MULHOLLAND.
HETTY GRAY:
“Hetty Gray” is the story of a girl who, having been found as an infant by a villager, is brought up by his wife, and is a kind of general pet, till an accident causes a rich widow to adopt her. On the death of her adoptive mother Hetty, who is left unprovided for, is taken by the widow’s relatives to be educated with a view to her gaining her livelihood as a governess, an event which is prevented by a rather remarkable discovery.
“A pleasantly told story for girls, with a happy ending.”—Athenæum.
“A charming story for young folks. Hetty is a delightful creature—piquant, tender, and true—and her varying fortunes are perfectly realistic.”—World.
FOUR LITTLE MISCHIEFS.
The history of Kitty, Jock, Bunko, and Ba, who, after successfully weathering the mumps in their London nursery, are sent to the country to recruit. The book is full of innocent fun and attractive incident.
“Will be read with absorbing interest by the youngsters.”—Land and Water.
“A charming bright story about real children.”—Watchman.
THE LATE MISS HOLLINGFORD.
This story, which was a great favourite of Charles Dickens, and originally appeared in All the Year Round, is of an orphan girl, who, leaving the gaiety and frivolity of London life, goes to live with an old friend of her mother at a farm-house. A delightful picture is given of the peaceful country life; but there is a strangely pathetic drama running through the quiet narrative, and the troubles which Marjory narrates as having been her portion in youth are sure to interest all who have sympathetic hearts.
NAUGHTY MISS BUNNY:
The story consists of small incidents such as please small listeners, who will be interested not only in Miss Bunny’s naughtiness, but in her reformation.
“This naughty child is positively delightful. Papas should not omit ‘Naughty Miss Bunny’ from their list of juvenile presents.”—Land and Water.
BY KATE WOOD.
WINNIE’S SECRET:
Tells the story of two orphan girls, who, at an early age, are left in a miserable den of London to struggle for a living. The vicissitudes of the little sisters are narrated with touching sympathy, at times sad enough; but relieved by flashes of fun and gleams of genuine humour.
“One of the best story-books we have read. Girls will be charmed with the tale.”—Schoolmaster.
“A very pretty tale, with great variety of incident and subtle character study, written precisely in the style that is surest to win the hearts of young folks.”—Pictorial World.
A WAIF OF THE SEA:
“A Waif of the Sea” deals very pathetically with the sorrows and trials of children, and of mothers who are separated from their children. The narrative is full of human interest, and the lives and struggles of the people of a poor London neighbourhood are well portrayed.
“A very touching and pretty tale of town and country, full of pathos and interest, embodied in a narrative which never flags, and told in a style which deserves the highest praise for its lucid and natural ease.”—Edinburgh Courant.
BY ANNIE S. SWAN.
WARNER’S CHASE:
“Warner’s Chase” is a domestic story, in which we see the failure of an essentially self-seeking and self-assertive nature to secure happiness to itself or bestow it upon others, and the triumph of gentleness, love, and unselfish service, in the person of a feeble girl.
“A good book for boys and girls. There is nothing sentimental in it, but a tone of quiet and true religion that keeps its own place.”—Perth Advertiser.
“In Milly Warren, the heroine, who unwittingly restores the family fortunes, we have a fine ideal of real womanly goodness.”—Schoolmaster.
INTO THE HAVEN.
“No story more attractive, by reason of its breezy freshness and unforced pathos, as well as for the practical lessons it conveys.”—Christian Leader.
BY CAROLINE AUSTIN.
DOROTHY’S DILEMMA:
This is a story of the time of Charles I., and the opening scenes are laid in a remote country district through which the king passes in his flight to the north. A little Puritan maiden, Dorothy Hardcastle, is induced to afford a night’s shelter to his majesty unknown to her father, who has fought on the side of the Parliament. In the event, her deception costs her father his life, and she is removed to London, whither her only brother John also goes. The story follows them both through their strange adventures in the great city, and leaves them setting sail for the New World, full of sorrow for past mistakes and with an earnest desire to lead a true, unselfish life on the other side of the sea.
MARIE’S HOME:
This record of an early life, spent partly in an old English home and partly amid stirring scenes of the French revolution, teaches just such lessons of unselfish love as are of value to English maidens of to-day.
“An exquisitely told story. The heroine is as fine a type of girlhood as one could wish to set before our little British damsels.”—Christian Leader.
“A pure, fresh story of what is the result in a young girl’s life when it is governed by unselfishness and a sense of duty.”—Bradford Observer.
BY AMY WALTON.
THE HAWTHORNES.
Describes in eight chapters the joys and troubles of five children living in a country rectory—their faults, fancies, pets, and amusements, written in simple language, and fit for children who love the country.
OUR FRANK.
Six stories suitable for young readers. “Our Frank,” which is the longest, describes the fortunes of a runaway boy in the Buckinghamshire woods—how he met with a tramp, how they travelled together, and how, after all, Frank found that “From East to West, At Home is best.”
BY THOMAS ARCHER.
LITTLE TOTTIE,
A thrilling little drama of the life of a poor neighbourhood, and perhaps fuller of suggestion than many more pretentious tales.
“We can warmly commend all three stories, and the attractive binding and pleasing illustrations combine with the contents to render the book a most alluring prize for the younger ones.”—Schoolmaster.
MISS GRANTLEY’S GIRLS,
Stories that are likely to prove attractive to the girls in other schools. They are small romances of real life with a good deal of genuine pathos and exciting incident in them.
“For fireside reading more wholesome and, at the same time, highly entertaining reading for young people could not be found.”—Northern Chronicle.
MISS FENWICK’S FAILURES:
A pleasing narration of the failures of Peggy Fenwick, who, before her sixteenth birthday, had to assume the responsible position of head of her father’s house. The story abounds in capitally told domestic adventures; and while it has an excellent moral purpose, it is brimful of fun.
“Esmé Stuart may be commended for producing a girl true to real life, who will put no nonsense into young heads.”—Graphic.
“There is not a dull page in it; while it is graphically written and abounds in touches of genuine humour and innocent fun.”—Freeman.
THE BALL OF FORTUNE:
A story of London life, founded on the strange bequest left by a sea captain, and the endeavours of some unscrupulous persons to obtain possession of it before the discovery of the true heir in the person of a street Arab.
“The most exciting of them all.”—The Times.
“A bright genial story, which boys will thoroughly enjoy.”—Birmingham Post.
BY ALICE CORKRAN.
ADVENTURES OF MRS. WISHING-TO-BE.
The strange adventures of a very young lady, showing how she met with the wonderful people of nursery legend and the manner of her introduction to them.
“Simply a charming book for little girls.”—Saturday Review.
“Well worth buying for the frontispiece alone.”—Times.
THE WINGS OF COURAGE,
These stories are among the most attractive of the many tales which the great French novelist wrote for her grandchildren. They are full of fancy, of vivid description, and of a keen appreciation of the best way to arouse the interest of juvenile readers.
“Mrs. Corkran has earned our gratitude by translating into readable English these two charming little stories.”—Athenæum.
“Ranks with the writings of Erckmann-Chatrian for finish, beauty, and naturalness. The whole story is delightful.”—Dundee Advertiser.
MAGNA CHARTA STORIES:
These stories of heroic deed in the cause of national liberty, from Marathon and Thermopylæ to the times of King Alfred and the Magna Charta, are designed to stimulate a love of history, and add to the inspiration of freedom, which should be the heritage of every boy and girl.
“A book of special excellence, which ought to be in the hands of all boys. It is as readable as it is instructive, and as elevating as it is readable.”—Educ. News.
THE PATRIOT MARTYR:
“It should be read with interest by every girl who loves to learn what her sex can accomplish in times of difficulty and danger.”—Bristol Times.
BY GREGSON GOW.
NEW LIGHT THROUGH OLD WINDOWS:
Stories designed to bring before the young mind, in a new and entertaining form, some of the shreds of wit and wisdom which have come down to us from ancient times in the guise of fables.
“The most delightfully-written little stories one can easily find in the literature of the season. Well constructed and brightly told.”—Glasgow Herald.
DOWN AND UP AGAIN:
A story of city life, in which, though the chief aim is to amuse through the recital of interesting events and the exhibition of original and humorous character, the reader may see something of the spirit in which misfortune should be met, and receive an impulse towards kindliness of deed and charity of thought.
“The story is very neatly told, with some fairly dramatic incidents, and calculated altogether to please young boys.”—Scotsman.
TROUBLES AND TRIUMPHS OF LITTLE TIM.
“An undercurrent of sympathy with the struggles of the poor, and an ability to describe their feelings under various circumstances, eminently characteristic of Dickens, are marked features in Mr. Gow’s story.”—North British Mail.
THE HAPPY LAD:
“This pretty story has a freshness and natural eloquence about it such as are seldom met with in our home-made tales. It seems to carry us back to some of the love stories of the Bible.”—Aberdeen Free Press.
BOX OF STORIES.
GORDON BROWNE’S SERIES OF
OLD FAIRY TALES.
4to, One Shilling each.
HOP O’ MY THUMB.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
Others to follow.
Each book contains 32 pages 4to, and is illustrated by over 30 pictures in the text, and 4 full-page plates.
This series has been issued so that young people may be provided with the old favourite Fairy Tales, pleasingly told and very fully illustrated in a really artistic manner.
The pictures are by Gordon Browne, whose name is a guarantee for the artistic quality of the work. Almost every page is illustrated, and the little reader can thus follow the story step by step by the pictures, and will be able to relate the tale to the younger members of the nursery by the aid of the illustrations alone. The pictures are not merely decorative, they are graphic character illustrations of a quaint and humorous kind which will be equally relished by young and old. The pictures form of themselves a story, and while sufficiently literal to be easily read, they at the same time possess that quality of suggestiveness which is only associated with work of a creative order.
The stories have been delightfully retold by Laura E. Richards, a lady who has the rare faculty of investing the purest romance with that air of realism which is so full of charm to children.
THE SHILLING SERIES OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
“Quality is not sacrificed to quantity, the stories one and all being of the highest, and eminently suited for the purposes of gift books for either day or Sabbath schools.”—Schoolmaster.
ALF JETSAM: or Found Afloat. By Mrs. George Cupples.
Alf Jetsam is a little boy who is cast ashore from a wreck on the coast of England. He is adopted and brought up by a kind old fisherman and his wife. Eventually he goes to sea, and after many voyages finds his parents. The story of his adventures is charmingly told.
THE REDFORDS: An Emigrant Story. By Mrs. George Cupples.
The story of an English family forced to leave their pleasant country home and face the hardships of pioneer life in New Zealand. The many haps and mishaps which befell them will excite the deepest interest in youthful readers, who will learn in the perusal many a lesson of patience and fortitude.
MISSY. By F. Bayford Harrison.
A tale of joyous child-life in the country. The pranks of Missy and Ernest Dacre with their dog Don are sure to please the “little ones,” while the story of Missy’s fault will teach the lesson of sincerity and truthfulness.
HIDDEN SEED: or a Year in a Girl’s Life. By Emma Leslie.
A brightly told story of a girl who on her fifteenth birthday resolves to make herself useful in the world; but who, forgetting that her home where she is needed is her proper sphere of action, is betrayed into worldliness, while her simple loving cousin Isabel, without pretension or self-consciousness, delights in serving those near her and in making them happy.
URSULA’S AUNT. By Annie S. Fenn.
The fresh and simple narrative of the troubles of two girls, who make a not uncommon mistake in thinking they are not beloved by their guardian, and of the manner in which they discover the truth by means of a great sorrow, which, however, turns to as great a joy.
JACK’S TWO SOVEREIGNS. By Annie S. Fenn.
A story which will interest the young reader in the fortunes of a poor and very peculiar family, the members of which show great diversity of character, but are united by the troubles that befall them, and by the singular events which at last lead to their being relieved from serious difficulties.
OLIVE MOUNT. By Annie S. Fenn.
A bright and sparkling story about a family of boys and girls left, through the death of both parents, to the charge of their eldest brother. For a time the children fairly run riot in the pleasant country-side at Olive Mount; till the wholesome discipline of sorrow and the gentle influence of their governess lead them to find enjoyment in doing what is right.
A LITTLE ADVENTURER. By Gregson Gow.
Tells how little Tommy Treffit started off to search for his father in Australia. How he hid himself on board a vessel bound for Madeira, and how, after many adventures, he at last found his father, not in Australia, but safe at home.
TOM WATKINS’ MISTAKE. By Emma Leslie.
Tom Watkins, having given way to the temptation to commit acts of petty pilfering in the carpenter’s shop where he is apprenticed, ultimately suffers the consequences of his wrong-doing, and not only learns that honesty is the best policy, but comes to see the sinfulness of his conduct.
TWO LITTLE BROTHERS. By Harriet M. Capes.
This is a pleasant account of some of the incidents which befell two little brothers, whose home was in a seaside village. It tells of their adventures on the shore and of the wonderful sights they saw during a trip to London, and how a kind father taught them to practise at all times self-control and courtesy.
THREE LITTLE ONES: Their Haps and Mishaps. By Cora Langton.
A simple tale of home life. Children are sure to love and admire bright Mabel, affectionate Eddie, and sad little Lucy, while the story of Mabel’s sin and Lucy’s sorrow will teach them truthfulness and obedience.
THE NEW BOY AT MERRITON. By Julia Goddard.
“A story of English school life. It is an attempt to teach a somewhat higher code of honour than that which prevails among the general run of schoolboys, and the lesson makes a very good story.”—School Board Chronicle.
THE BLIND BOY OF DRESDEN.
“This is a family story of great pathos. It does not obtrusively dictate its lesson, but it quietly introduces, and leaves it within the heart.”—Aberdeen Journal.
JON OF ICELAND: A True Story.
“‘Jon of Iceland’ is a sturdy, well-educated young Icelander, who becomes a successful teacher. It gives children a clear idea of the chief physical features of the island, and of the simple and manly character of its inhabitants.”—School Guardian.
STORIES FROM SHAKESPEARE.
“The stories are told in such a way that young people having read them will desire to study the works of Shakespeare in their original form.”—The Schoolmistress.
EVERY MAN IN HIS PLACE. The Story of a City Boy and a Forest Boy.
“This is the history of the son of a wealthy Hamburg merchant, who wished to follow in the steps of Robinson Crusoe. He was put to the test, and became convinced in the end that it is better to live the life of a wealthy merchant in a great city than to endure hardship by choice.”—School Board Chronicle.
FIRESIDE FAIRIES and FLOWER FANCIES: Stories for Girls.
“Nine stories are included, all for girls, encouraging them to try and do their duty. Young servants would find this book very interesting.”—The Schoolmistress.
TO THE SEA IN SHIPS: Stories of Suffering and Saving at Sea.
“To the Sea in Ships records several noted disasters at sea, such as the foundering of the London and the wreck of the Atlantic. It also contains narratives of successful rescues. This is a capital book for boys.”—School Guardian.
JACK’S VICTORY: Stories about Dogs.
“Every boy, and some girls, take great delight in reading about dogs. Well, Jack was a dog; a famous and wonderful one, too. He became leader of a team in Greenland, and some rare exploits he took part in.”—The Schoolmistress.
THE STORY OF A KING, Told by one of his Soldiers.
“This book recounts the boyhood and reign of Charles XII. of Sweden. The wars in which he was engaged and the extraordinary victories he won are well described, and equally so are the misfortunes which latterly came on him and his kingdom through his uncontrollable wilfulness.”—Aberdeen Journal.
LITTLE DANIEL: A Story of a Flood on the Rhine.
“A simple and touching story of a flood on the Rhine, told as well as George Eliot so graphically wrote of The Mill on the Floss.”—Governess.
PRINCE ALEXIS: A Tale of Old Russia.
This is a legend wrought into a story, rendering a fiction of Life in Russia, something more than a hundred years ago; a state of things which, as the author says, “is now impossible, and will soon become incredible.”
SASHA THE SERF: And other Stories of Russian Life.
The stories in the volume comprise:—The Life of Sasha, a poor boy who saved the life of his lord, and finally rose to wealth and gained his freedom,—Incidents of remarkable personal bravery in the army, &c. &c.
TRUE STORIES OF FOREIGN HISTORY. A Series of Interesting Tales.
The book contains stories—How Quentin Matsys the Antwerp smith became a great painter,—The rise and fall of Jean Ango the fisherman of Dieppe,—The heroism of Casabianca the little French midshipman, &c. &c.
THE NINEPENNY SERIES OF BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.
ABOARD THE MERSEY: or Our Youngest Passenger. By Mrs. Geo. Cupples.
A tale of the sea, told in the simple and fascinating style in which few writers can equal Mrs. Cupples. Little Miss Matty, our youngest passenger, is a dear little girl, who, by her tender devotion, sustains many of the rough sailors in time of danger, and leads them to a knowledge of the better life. Boys will appreciate the story for its incident, and girls because the chief actor is a little maiden.
SEPPERL THE DRUMMER-BOY. By Mary C. Rowsell.
The story is of a drummer-boy, who, by courage and patience, became a great musician, and whose name is remembered with reverence and admiration. The narrative and the style are both simple enough for very young readers, but yet so interesting that a good many “grown up” people will take real pleasure in making the little ones listeners, and reading the story to them.
A BLIND PUPIL. By Annie S. Fenn.
This is a strikingly original tale, which will deeply interest both girls and boys, for it is full of simple but exciting incidents; and though the hero of the story is a blind boy, whose unhappy disposition is improved and at last quite changed by the influence of a firm and kindly friendship, the descriptions of external objects are remarkably picturesque and vivid.
LOST AND FOUND: or Twelve Years with Bulgarian Gypsies. By Mrs. Carl Rother.
Tells of how the young heir of Wolfsburg on the Rhine was entrapped and carried off by a gang of Bulgarian gypsies; how for years he wandered with them through Austria and Bulgaria; how he eventually joined the Bulgarian army and fought against the Servians, and how at last he found his father’s home. The wandering life through the fertile valleys of the Rhine and Danube is pleasantly depicted.
FISHERMAN GRIM. By Mary C. Rowsell.
May be called a historical romance in a nutshell. The scene is laid in Saxon times on the north-east coast of England, where Grimsby now stands, and the story of Hablok the little Danish Prince, and Grim the rough English fisherman with his cat Tib, is told with a simplicity and vivacity that will delight children.
THE SIXPENNY SERIES FOR CHILDREN.
New Volumes.
Little Mop: and other Stories. By Mrs. Charles Bray.
The Tree Cake: and other Stories. By W. L. Rooper.
Nurse Peggy, and Little Dog Trip. Two Stories by Two Sisters.
Wild Marsh Marigolds. By Darley Dale.
Fanny’s King. By Darley Dale.
Kitty’s Cousin. By Hannah B. Mackenzie.
Cleared at Last. By Julia Goddard.
Little Dolly Forbes. By Annie S. Fenn.
A Year with Nellie. By Annie S. Fenn.
The Little Brown Bird: a Story of Industry.
The Maid of Domremy: and other Tales.
Little Eric: a Story of Honesty.
Uncle Ben the Whaler: and other Stories.
The Palace of Luxury: and other Stories.
The Charcoal-Burner: or, Kindness Repaid.
Willy Black: a Story of Doing Right.
The Horse and his Ways: Stories of Man and his best Friend.
The Shoemaker’s Present: a Legendary Story.
Lights to Walk by: Stories for the Young.
The Little Merchant: and other Stories.
Nicholina: a Story about an Iceberg.
“The whole of the set will be found admirably adapted for the use of the young.”—Schoolmaster.
“A very praiseworthy series of Prize Books. Most of the stories are designed to enforce some important moral lesson, such as honesty, industry, kindness, helpfulness, &c.”—School Guardian.
A SERIES OF FOURPENNY REWARD BOOKS.
Each 64 pages, 18mo, Illustrated, in Picture Boards.
Holidays at Sunnycroft. By Annie S. Swan.
Worthy of Trust. By H. B. Mackenzie.
Maudie and Bertie. By Gregson Gow.
Phil Foster. By J. Lockhart.
Brave and True. By Gregson Gow.
Poor Tom Olliver. By Julia Goddard.
The Children and the Water-Lily. By Julia Goddard.
Johnnie Tupper’s Temptation. By Gregson Gow.
Fritz’s Experiment. By Letitia M’Lintock.
Climbing the Hill. By Annie S. Swan.
A Year at Coverley. By Do.
Lucy’s Christmas-Box.
* * * These little books have been specially written with the aim of inculcating some sound moral, such as obedience to parents, love for brothers and sisters, kindness to animals, perseverance and diligence leading to success, &c. &c.
“Any one who wishes to send a dainty packet of story-books to a household blessed with little children will find in these exactly what he wants. They are issued with the prettiest of all the coloured covers we have yet seen.”—Christian Leader.
VERE FOSTER’S
WATER-COLOR DRAWING-BOOKS.
The Times says:—“We can strongly recommend the series to young students.”