STARS OF EARTH; OR, WILD FLOWERS OF THE MONTHS. By Leigh Page. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter & Co.

The idea of a floral calendar for the year, if not a new one, has certainly never been more happily carried out than in the volume before us. The author classifies under the heading of each month descriptions of the chief flowers of field or wood to be found in its duration; and he has treated the subject with a hearty enthusiasm that can hardly fail to inspire the reader with a love for these "stars" of lesser magnitude-no less evidencing the admirable perfection of their Creator than those more brilliant kinds that are the objects of the gardener's care. The numerous readers of Longfellow will be familiar with the beautiful comparison of flowers with the stars of heaven. We meet with no affectation of botanical learning throughout the work; and the youngest and simplest reader need not fear that he will encounter an array of Latin terms or technical language: while the lover of poetry-and what lover of nature is not ?-will find a large source of enjoyment in perusing the charming verses profusely scattered over the pages. Apt references and allusions have been gleaned from the wide field of English literature; and some of the finest lines of our greatest poets are interwoven with the author's composition. As a gift-book at the opening of a new year, the volume is peculiarly suitable: it will not only please the resident of the country, but even those "in populous city pent" will turn over its leaves with pleasure, for in them it will doubtless recall to mind many happy hours formerly spent in the pursuit of innocent rustic enjoyments. The illustrations are about fifty in number, most of them being of large size, and are very gracefully and carefully designed and engraved. The paper and printing are admirable, and the binder has adorned the exterior with appropriate elegance. A very complete index adds materially to the utility of

the work-a feature too often wanting in books of this class.

NOBLE RIVERS, AND STORIES CONCERNING THEM. By Anna Jane Buckland. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter & Co. The rivers which our author not infelicitously designates "noble" are, Jordan, Euphrates, Nile, Cydnus, Tiber, Rhine, and Thames. These names call up in the adult mind many historical associations, pleasing or mournful; and to impart to the youthful reader a knowledge of the chief events enacted on the banks of each of these famous streams, or on their waters, is the laudable object of the writer. She has performed her task with taste and judgment, having collected, evidently with much industry and from various sources, a large number of interesting facts, and digested them into a series of narratives that will, if we mistake not, be read not only by our juvenile friends but by "children of a larger growth." In treating of Jordan, the Nile, and Euphrates, the writer brings before us, in clear and elegant language, some of the greatest events of sacred history; and in the chapters devoted to the Tiber and other rivers renowned in secular story, the pages of ancient and modern historians furnish materials for a number of stirring descriptions of scenes witnessed in the days when imperial Rome was mistress of all the known world. The volume is well illustrated; some of the engravings, especially two or three Swiss views, being very fine specimens of art. Teachers or parents who may be seeking for a presentation book to bestow on a deserving girl or boy cannot do better than order a copy of" Noble Rivers," which must instruct while it is sure to entertain. The getting up and external appearance are very creditable to the publishers.

BAREFOOTED BIRDIE, A SIMPLE TALE FOR CHRISTMAS. By T. O'T. Edited by Chas. Felix. Saunders, Otley & Co. Our notice of this affecting little

sketch will appear somewhat late, as the tale is one ostensibly for the festive season of Christmas, and our magazine is dated for January; but it is not at all improbable that many of our readers will be perusing the latter not only before the time of "good cheer" is past, but before the birth of the new year. "Barefooted Birdie," however, is a tale suitable for all seasons; and there are few productions of the kind of which we can say that we have risen from their perusal with more softened heart and feeling for the sorrows of youthful "waifs," than from this interesting and ably-wrought portrait. We would not on any account spoil the enjoyment of the reader by giving an outline of the narrative; but we most cordially recommend it to the notice of our readers for the admirable Christian spirit which pervades it, for the excellent English in which it is written, and for the true human interest which seizes one in its perusal. "Charles Felix "would appear to be justly proud of having had the editorship of this pretty sketch entrusted to him, and he seems to have performed his task with skill. Little ones will admire the neat illustrations which adorn the pages of the book.

THE SANGREAL; OR, THE HIDDEN TREASURE. By M. H. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter & Co. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co.

A very creditable little booklet, with all the pleasing accessories that printing and bookbinding can give to set it off. The Sangreal that is sought and found in the compass of less than a hundred pages is not the fabled Sangreal of the old romances, of which some of our readers may have heard. No, it is the true Sangreal, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, which can only be found at the foot of the Cross. The story introduces us to a number of young men setting out in life, who are met under the shade of some old trees in the lawn of Amberley Park, Westmoreland. How they each picture to themselves an imaginary Sangreal, an artificial and fleeting source of happiness; and how they endeavour

to secure it; what results from the possession, and the consequent disappointment; and how the seekers are led to the discovery of the source of all happiness, we must leave our readers to find out for themselves in the work itself. It is admirably adapted for juvenile scholars, and is not unworthy the attention of older readers.

JOTTINGS FROM THE DIARY OF THE SUN. By M. H. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter & Co. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co.

"I have sometimes thought," writes John Foster, "if the sun were an intelligence, he would be horribly incensed at the world he is appointed to enlighten." On this very original and striking thought, "M. H." has composed a number of "jottings," or short illustrative stories, well suited for perusal by youthful minds. The booklet is similar in getting up to the one just noticed, and is from the hands of the same publishers.

SUSY'S SACRIFICE. By the author of "Nettie's Mission." Nisbet.

Susy's" sacrifice" is one that we would gladly set before young readers, similarly circumstanced, as an example. The story, with the exception of too great a prevalence of Americanisms, is not badly told; but we regret that two of the leading personages in it should be the stereotyped bed-ridden cripple, and the worthless incorrigible drunkard. The illustrations are particularly good; and the book as a whole deserves praise.

COCKERILL THE CONJUROR; OR, THE BRAVE BOY OF HAMELN. By the author of "Little Harry's Troubles." Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter & Co.

Germany possesses more than one legend concerning magic flutes; and we are inclined to think we have already met with the particular one which forms the basis of this pretty book. It is matter for regret that more of these Teutonic imaginings are not done into English for the entertainment of young

readers. Here is a very good specimen of the kind. The adventures of the "brave boy of Hameln" with Cockerill the conjuror will irresistibly enchain attention. The exterior and interior of the book-not forgetting the illustration -are all that could be wished.

DONALD FRASER. By the author of "Bertie Lee." Nisbet.

If it were only for the sake of putting the story of "the Chinaman" into the hands of young readers, this book is worth purchasing. As the writer is evidently an American, we must not perhaps complain of the Americanisms with which the narrative is sprinkled, although we certainly object to them in books for English children. The cuts and binding-in fact, the getting up altogether is very pretty.

DOWN AMONG THE WATER-WEEDS; OR, MARVELS OF POND LIFE. By Mona B. Bickerstaffe. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter & Co.

Perhaps there is no more commendable way to convey the elements of science to the minds of little people than by means of dialogue. If combined with illustrations, the chances of success are increased. The pretty book before us possesses all these advantages, but we should have preferred to see less prominence given to the Latin designations.

HE CAME TO SAVE; OR, THE MISSION OF JESUS. By H. J. W. Macintosh. A thoughtful little address, of which the title explains the subject. The illustrations are not inaptly introduced.

WISE SAYINGS, AND STORIES TO EXPLAIN THEM. By M. H. - LITTLE

The amount of horticultural information conveyed in this admirable little volume is really surprising; told, too, in the most natural, unsophisticated, and pleasing manner. The book should be placed in the hands of every young reader who has a garden or a spade. The coloured lithographs are quite a novelty, and are choicely executed. Altogether, the volume is a super-excellent one, and would make a capital New Year's gift-book.

OLD MERRY'S ANNUAL, FOR 1868.
Jackson, Walford & Hodder.
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR. Edinburgh:
Johnstone, Hunter & Co.

THE CHILDREN'S PRIZE, 1867. Macintosh.

Pressure upon the space devoted to our notices this month will not allow of separate and lengthy consideration of these elegant volumes; nor perhaps is it needed, for they are now established favourites. Gorgeous binding, numerous illustrations, no lack of entertaining matter, they are just the books for quiet cosy corners and youthful eyes.

The Children's Prize" contains some excellent illustrations; and," Old Merry" is certainly getting more rejuvenescent.

TEACHER AND PREACHER.-The following eloquent words from the pen of John Ruskin apply equally as well to the office of the Sunday-school teacher as

to that of the Sabbath preacher :-"If we once begin to regard the preacher, whatever his defects, as a man sent with a message to us, which it is a matter of

life and death whether we hear or refuse; if we look upon him as set in charge over many spirits in danger of ruin, and having allowed to him but an hour or two in the seven days to speak to them; if we make some endeavour to conceive how precious these hours ought to be to him, a small vantage on the side of God, after his flock have been exposed for six days together to the full weight of the world's temptations, and he has been forced to watch the thorn and the thistle springing in their hearts, and to see what wheat had been scattered there snatched from the wayside by this wild bird and the other; and that at last, when breathless and weary with the week's labour, they give him this interval of imperfect and languid hearing, he has but thirty minutes to get at the separate consciences of a thousand men, to convince them of their weaknesses, to shame them for their sins, to warn them of their dangers, to try by this way and that way to stir the hard fastenings of their doors where the Master himself has stood and knocked, yet none opened to Him, and to call at the openings of their dark streets where Wisdom herself has stretched forth her hands and no man regarded; thirty minutes to raise the dead in! let us but once understand and feel this, and we shall look with changed eyes upon that frippery of gay furniture about the place from which the message of judgment must be delivered, which either breathes upon the dry bones that they may live,' or, if ineffectual, remains recorded in condemnation, perhaps against the utterer and listener alike, but assuredly against one of them. We shall then not so easily bear with the silk and gold upon the seat of judgment, nor with ornament of oratory in the mouth of the messenger. We shall wish that his words may be simple, even when they are sweetest, and the place from which he speaks like a marble rock in the desert, about which the people have gathered in their thirst."

GOD'S MERCY.-We must tell concerning God's mercy as we do concerning God himself, that He is that great

fountain of which we all drink, and the great rock of which we all eat, and on which we all dwell, and under whose shadow we all are refreshed. God's mercy is all this; and we can only draw the great lines of it, and reckon the constellations of our hemisphere, instead of telling the number of the stars; we only can reckon what we feel and what we live by; and though there be, in every one of these lines of life, enough to engage us for ever to do God service, and to give Him praises, yet it is certain there are very many mercies of God on us, and towards us, and concerning us, which we neither feel nor see nor understand as yet; but yet we are blessed by them, and are preserved and secure; and we shall know them, when we come to give God thanks in the festivities of an eternal Sabbath.-Jeremy Taylor.

WAS PAUL EVER MARRIED?-In referring to the affairs of this time at a later period, he (Paul) says not only that he exercised his powers by a commission from the high-priest, but also, when the followers of Christ were put to death, he gave his vote against them. He could only have given his vote as one of the Sanhedrim; and it may reasonably be doubted whether the very important commission which he subsequently received, when he went to Damascus, would have been entrusted to any one who was not a member of that body-his introduction into which might be materially promoted by the fact that Gamaliel, whose favourite pupil he seems to have been, was its president. Out of this arises an important consideration-that to be a parent was a condition of admission to that assembly, because those whose hearts were softened by paternal relations were supposed to be more humane, more inclined to

mercy than others. Besides, among the Jews it was accounted scarcely reputable for a man to remain unmarried after eighteen years of age; and marriages in general were very early. If therefore Saul belonged to the Sanhedrim, the probability is that he was at this time married and the