entertained by the Pen and Pencil Club, he recounted those wonderful days, those remarkable persons he encountered in the Scottish Metropolis in days of "Auld Lang Syne": how Irving and he would study their parts on the Calton Hill, the Queen's Drive, Sir Henry having of old lodgings at the junction of St. James's Square and Register Street, Toole in Leith Street; how they rose from twenty-five shillings a week to twenty-five pounds a night, and so on; how as a youth he puzzled as to what a certain bank in St. Andrew Square had to do with British Linen"; how several years ago a hare having been seen on Calton Hill, he said he had met two hares (the comedian and his son) in Princes Street. A fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy, on and off the stage. Toole is a unique personality, and a much-respected man, His brethren of the stage reverence him, the ladies of his company love him, he is generous to poorer members of the dramatic profession, philanthropy claims him as her own.

A feeling of universal sorrow was, manifest during the several periods of his domestic affliction. Troops of friends surround him in these advancing years, none of them more loyal than those in Edinburgh where he, early in professional life, won his spurs, before migrating to the great Metropolis.

No room for controversy here regarding the merits or demerits of the stage, regarding which there will always be much divergence of opinion. Suffice it if we can show how three, among many honoured names, have acquired a reputation for good in the Temple of Thespis. It appears to us that those who declaim against the stage and actors have been chiefly unintelligent, untravelled people, who have neither studied human nature or individual mankind. One who had done so closely, intelligently, says in comprehensive numbers,

"All the world's a stage

And all the men and women only players";

while another in the same line of thought declares,

"For we're all actors, every man's an actor,
We are all actors in the masquerade of life."

D. B. A.

74

BOOKS, PEOPLE, THINGS.

ONCE more Christmas is upon us, and with its advent comes the Christmas book and card and symbolism. While many firms rise and fall, the world-renowned firm of Raffaelle Tuck & Sons, the fine art publishers to the Queen and Prince of Wales, produce their marvellous collection of novelties in the way of Christmas cards, booklets, pasteboard toys and boxes. Nothing seems to be beyond the scope of this wonderfully enterprising firm, which knows no criterion but success and elevation of art. The collection for the last Christmas of the "eighteens is worthy of the interesting occasion, and will give pleasure, instruction, and delight in countless homes all over the earth.

Messrs. Blackie & Son, Glasgow and London, are always to the fore and always in the first rank as publishers of Christmas stories and books for boys, and this season they have quite excelled themselves Last year's Christmas books were splendid, and had, we understand, quite a record sale, as they deserved. But the great Glasgow firm, with that striking enterprise which has always characterised their operations, have still further improved upon their series, with the result that the boys' books of this season are quite the best we have seen anywhere, "Kidnapped Cannibals: a Story of the South Seas," by Dr. Gordon Stables, is a thrilling tale of adventure. "No Surrender. a Tale of the Rising in La Vendée," by the famous story-teller G. A. Henty, is a charming combination of history and fiction. "With Shield and Assegai: a Tale of the Zulu War," by F. S. Brereton, R.A.M.C., illustrated capitally by Stanley Wood, is doubly interesting at the present juncture in South Africa. “A Queen among Girls," by Ellinor Davenoprt Adams, is a delightful tale full of pathetic interest. "Won by the Sword: a Tale of the Thirty Years' War," by Mr. Henty, also gives a thrilling account of scenes and events which every student of European history is required to know, in order to understand present-day relations. "A Loyal Little Maid: a Story of Mar's Rebellion," by Sarah Tytler, with four pictures by Paul Hardy, carries u back to old days in cottish history, and is not only a most readable tale, but also a valuable historical refresher. No better method could be conceived than that so successfully carried out by Messrs. Blackie in this magnificent series of historical tales of attracting youthful students to historical subjects by investing them with living personal interest and the charm of feeling, emotion, and pathos. The series of last year, to which we alluded then in warm terms of praise, included Mr. Neish's "Chips and Chops," Miss Pollard's "Lady Isobel," Leighton's readable Orkney tale, "The Pilots of Pomona," Dr. Gordon Stables' "Courage, True Hearts," Henty's "Both Sides of the Border," and Miss Bessie Marchant s "Bonded Three." These tales all established themselves in public favour, and that quickly; but we are greatly mistaken if the new series, to which we have alluded, does not eclipse any of the previous publishing triumphs of the great educational house in Glasgow.

Messrs. George Newnes & Co., Limited, London, continue their useful and highly popular series of "Stories," which we have so frequently commended in these pages. The Story of the Cotton Plant," by F. Wilkinson, F.G.S., is capitally written and illustrated; "The Story of Geographical Liscovery' "-how the world became known -by Joseph Jacobs, is the history of globe-trotting in a nutshell; "The Story of the British Race," by John Monro, is particularly seasonable at present when our crocodile jaws (as the Dutch pfarrers euphoniously describe our physiognomy) are opening to receive fresh territory. the Church, it is said, has a fine stomach: it has swallowed whole empires and never felt them heavy after reading Mr. Munro's book one feels that old Britain has a fairly good digestion too. Every patriot should read this capital guide to British conquest, enterprise, and expansion. "The Story of Eclipses," by G. F. Chambers, F.R.A.S., is a well-done piece of work. "The Story of the Mind," by J. M. Baldwin, is a capital little guide to psychology and metaphysics. Not content, however, with this excellent series, Messrs. Newnes are prosecuting their marvellous sixpenny series which is putting all the freshest and most popular works of the day and hour into the hands of the million. Mrs. Ward's "Robert Elsmere," Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Homes," Gladstone's "Impregnable Rock," Sheldon's "Crucifixi n of Philip Strong" and "What would Jesus Do?" the racy and delightful "Yankee Boy's Success," or rather the story of his failure to discover such a thing as failure as he visited and held intercourse with all the crowned heads of Europe on equal terms, treating even our noble queen with something like

Buller's brusqueness, and even taking time to observe one royal princess throwing a vulgar wink to ano her as the pretty pair watched Queen and Yankee-boy together; Haggard's "Jess," ( onan Doyle's "Brigadier Gerard" and "Sign of Four," not to speak of others, constitute a library in themselves, and when one considers that all these, the freshest and most up-to-date publications, are to be had for the price of an office boy's dinner or a packet of blank writing-paper, all one can exclaim is--"prodigious. Rates must, however, be cut very fine both by this great firm and also by other rival houses, in order to have any profit at all after paying author and production. Two charming volumes of a more artistic and expensive type are also published by Messrs. Newnes. "English Cathedrals Illustrated," by Francis Bond, M.A., F.G.S., is one of the most delightful volumes we have perused. Not only is an accurate and full account given of each of the English minsters, but the illustrations are beyond all praise. We hope by and by to see a volume of the same kind about our fine old Scottish cathedrals, which, though smaller and in too many cases ruined, are just as interesting. At a time when the Scottish Church is waking up to restore Iona (Argyll's generous gift to the Church for whose sake his ancestor was beheaded), is busy reparing Brechin and Paisley, and is hoping soon to hear the thud of the mallet and the hammer in the restoration of Dunkeld, Kilwinning, Stirling, and Edinburgh Greyfriars-Melrose and Jedburgh and Dryburgh are lost-at such a time, a volume on the Scottish Cathedrals, similar to Mr. Bond's admirable work, would be invaluable. "The Adventures of Louis de Rougemont, told by himself," is another lovely volume from the Newnes press "Told by himself" is good, and suggestive of George Washington and the apple-tree. Never was the British public learned an simple, more completely gulled-and so agreeably and pleasantly if you please-as by the gray little Frenchman, whose excellent and humorously-lined face forms the frontispiece for the beautifully-bound epistles of this pleasant-spoken French Romancer. "Flashlights on Nature is another splendid volume by Mr. Grant Allen, ` with 150 pictures by Fred. cnock. It is a work on natural history of extraordin ry interest and charm.

The "Famous Scots" series (Edinburgh: Oliphants) has established itself among English readers all over the globe as one of the most ably conducted series ever presented to the public. Not only are the different sketches of different famous Scots written with grace and vivacity in almost every case, but a striking good fortune has been manifested in the choice of writers, the best living authority on the particular Scot being chosen by the accomplished editor, Mr. Oliphant Smeaton, for the work of telling the hero's life-story. Sir George Douglas "Hogg," and Professor Campbell-Fraser's "Reid," and all the other vo umes-now 30 in all-are perfect as miniature biographies. The series when complete will be the finest biographical dictionary of great Scots in existence. Mr. Smeaton's pen is never idle, and one of his recent literary successes is a capital story entitled "The Treasure Cave of the Blue Mountains," a thrilling and splendidly-written tale, full of interest. "Mackinnon and the Bards," by J. Mactaggart, is an interesting and suggestive volume of poems chiefly connected with the Highlands. "The Gates of Eden," by Annie S. Swan, is also published by Messrs. Oliphant at the price of sixpence.

Messrs. Hodder & Stoughton, London, publish a capital volume of sermons—“Via Domini: ermons for Christian Seasons," by Rev. Dr. J. H. Bernard, Treasurer of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. These are bright, vigorous, pointed addresses, full of suggestive thought and teaching. The same firm is also engaged in the production of a delightful series of "Little Books on Religion" under the guidance of the accomplished Bishop Chadwick of Derry, one of the series being contributed by Rev. R. H. Fisher, Aberdeen.

Mr. John Murray, London, publishes "The Five Windows of the Soul: Thoughts on Perceiving," by E. H. Aitken-a valuable little treatise on brain, nerve, colour, sound, etc., specially valuable to psychologists and students of mental philosophy. It is a deeply suggestive and interesting guide to the City of Mansoul.

Messrs. E. & S. Livingstone, Edinburgh, publish "Walter Crighton: Reminiscences of Heriot's Hospital," by Jamieson Baillie, with first-class illustrations by J. R. Abercromby. The deeply interesting story of George Heriot, and his unique foundation, from the start down to the present day, is told with clearness, sympathy, and good taste.

Messrs. Nelson & Sons, Edinburgh, are always in the front rank as publishers of educational literature, and their many beautiful volumes of historical tales are familiar to us all. To some of these recent splendid volumes we have already

referred, and now a rich set of new books is given to the world. "French and English," by E. Everett Green, is a complete guide to English history at a time when France and Britain were sometimes friends, sometimes foes. Both tale and pictures are beyond all praise. "Through Peril, Toil, and Pain," by Lucy Taylor, is a Protestant story based on some of the martyrdoms of the Reformation period, well told and exceedingly picturesque. "The Triple Alliance: its Trials and Triumphs," by Harold Avery an excellent schoolboy tale after the manner of the immortal "Tom Brown." "The White North: with Nordenskiöld, De Long, and Nansen," by M. Douglas, tells the story of arctic travel in recent years with a vividness and charm which leave nothing to be desired.

Mr. C. Arthur Pearson, London, recently put out two of the prettiest volumes we have seen for years. "Prince Uno," the tale of "Uncle Frank's visit to Fairyland," illustrated by W. D. Stevens, and "In a Chinese Garden," by Annis Lennoys, a collection of old Chinese tales, fables, and annals of the most original and refreshing description. These two pretty and readable books would make good presentation volumes at this gift-bearing season. The beauty of these publications is only characteristic of the great firm which every month delights the reading public with its wonderful Pearson's Magazine, which gathers up, every few weeks, all the freshest events, news, and discoveries, and presents them to the public clothed with the choicest literary elegance and artistic skill. The Royal Magazine, though not quite so perfect artistically, is a marvellous threepence worth, and carries delight, instruction, and amusement into tens of thousands of homes all over the world. Their Christmas Numbers are models of artistic grace and beauty.

Messrs. A. & C. Black, Edinburgh and London, send out a valuable ecclesiological work in the shape of the life of "St. Thomas of Canterbury: his Death and Miracles,' in two volumes, by the Rev. Edwin \. Abbot D.D., Hulsean lecturer. This elaborate work is a monograph on the illustrious archbishop, round whose person so much that is interesting and mysterious still lingers. The study is an able, careful, and exhaustive one, and the accurate letterpress is illustrated with charming engravings. For a book of the kind nothing could surpass this life of Thomas à Becket.

Mr. T. Fisher Unwin, London, publishes a bright and most readable novel by Constance Cotterell, entitled Love is not so Light," which will be read with pleasure, a fine descriptive faculty being united with true feeling and thorough insight into life.

Messrs. Methuen & Co., London, publish a complete, full, and most reliable handbook to "Cambridge and its Colleges," by A. Hamilton-Thompson, M.A., of St. John's College, illustrated by Edmund H. New. The historic university city is accurately gone over and described, and nothing is wanting to make the handbook complete and useful.

Messrs. Bemrose & Sons, London, publish two delightful volumes-Miss Jean's Niece," with illustrations by W. L. Jones, and "Bride Picotee "--both of these delightful tales coming from the pen of the well-known and popular author of "L'Atelier de Lys" and "Mademoiselle Mori." Brightness and vivacity characterise both of these romances.

Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall & Co., London, publish "Gladys in Grammarland,' by Andrew Mayhew Allan, illustrated by "Claudine," a lovely child's book, showing how to read with tears and parse without tawse.

Runnymede and Lincoln Fair" is the title of a well-written and capitally-conceived story by J. G. Edgar, already well known as the author of "Cressy and Poictiers," illustrated by Adolf Thiede. It is another of these useful and attractive historical romances, connected with the time of the Great Charter, and rich in historical vision and picturesque scenery and description. (London: Ward, Lock & Co.)

A very useful and instructive volume comes from the press of Messrs. Service & Paton, London, entitled "Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations," by Dr. A. H. Sayce, Professor of Assyriology at Oxford-a valuable and reliable antiquarian treatise on the peoples of Palestine and round about, marked by all the scholarship and research so abundantly evident in everything that comes from Dr. Sayce's pen.

Messrs. Lawrence Greening &o., London, put forth three volumes of the story-telling type, which are well worth perusal. "Lord Inning," by George Martyn,

66

is a racy tale of music-hall life with a very distinct reflection of the footlights upon it, but fresh and novel. "Doña Rufina," by Heber Daniels, is the romance of a cycle tour, which should prove enjoyable reading to the noble army of wheelmen and wheel women. A Modern Christmas Carol," by Saul Smiff, author of "The Pottle Papers," is an excessively clever and amusing sketch after the manner of Dickens' "Christmas Carol." All the volumes from this firm are characterised by freshness, originality, and real ability.

Messrs. W. Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London, publish "The Good Regent: a Chronicle Play," by Prof. Sir T. Grainger Stewart-a singularly able and clever bit of work by one of the greatest of Scottish physicians and kindest of men. "Victory over Sin and Death" is a volume of sermons (Blackwood) by the late Rev. Dr. George S. Smith, the saintly and beloved pastor of Cranstoun, which many who knew him will cherish.

"The Justice Stone" is the title given by Mr. Christopher Dawson to an exceedingly fresh and suggestive volume of poems written by that gentleman during the course of a number of years. We wish the volume all the success which its inherent worth and the intellectual ability of its genial author so abundantly deserve. (Edinburgh: R. W. Hunter.)

Messrs. Digby Long & Co., London, produce "Fairies,' by Helen Watters--a most attractive little book, suitable for presentation.

Messrs. Cowan & Co., Limited, Perth, publish "Anwoth and Other Essays," by our esteemed and gifted contributor Mr. D. Brown Anderson, W.S. Whether considered as a volume or as an intellectual product, Anwoth is a delightful, original, and most valuable collection of essays, papers, and reviews of famous places and people well known to the author. We wish Mr. Anderson's handsome publication every success, and trust it may very soon be followed by others on the same lines.

Messrs. Passmore & Alabaster continue the publication of handsome volumes of Spurgeon's sermons. No greater tribute to the memory of the great Baptist preacher can be found than that tens of thousands of his sermons should still be read weekly by his fellow-countrymen.

Messrs. Vacher & Sons, London, publish "The Politician's Handbook," by H. Whates a useful alphabetical guide to all the various things, people, and places which are mixed up with modern politics.

"The Churches of Buchan and Notes by the Way" is the title of an exceedingly full and comprehensive guide to the churches of that district, written by the late Rev. N. K. M'Leod, Episcopal minister at St. Mary's on the Rock, Ellon. The information as to the ancient ecclesiastical foundations and monuments of that interesting part of Scotland is very full and accurate, and the volume forms a very valuable guide to the ecclesiology of the district.

Mr. T. Fisher Unwin, London, publishes a valuable "Life of Lord Clive: Founder of British Rule in India," by Sir Alex. Arbuthnott, author of a "Memoir of Sir Thomas Munro." It is a sprightly, patriotic, and inspiriting narrative of the life and career of one of the pioneers of Imperial Britain.

The "Memoirs of Father James Healy of Little Bray" (London: Macmillan & Co.) consist of a full and most interesting biography of one who was not only a "character" amongst the Irish priesthood of his day but an independent power and vigorous thinker. Like "Father O'Flynn" he was a powerful preacher and a tender teacher and generally all-round a "noble creature," and not only his own parish but all Ireland loved him. This refreshing biography is brimful of splendid Irish stories and amusing sidelights.

A very valuable work on philology has just appeared from the pen of Mr. Ernest Pearson "A Study in Philology"-a comparative table of words in Hebrew, Chaldee, Assyrian, etc.—after the manner of Prof. Max Müller's "Chips from a German Workshop." The comparisons are valuable, and the volume is scholarly and comprehensive.

Messrs. Burns & Oates, London, give to the world a fine edition of Cardinal Wiseman's works, two volumes-first, "Meditations on Christ's Incarnation," the