_Syd Belton_, unlike most story-book boys, would not go to sea, but he was made to _go_, by the author, Mr. MANVILLE FENN. Once launched, he proved himself a British salt of the first water. _Dumps and I_, by Mrs. PARR, is a _par_ticularly pretty book for girls, and quite on a par with, her other works. METHUEN & CO. publish these.
_Pictures and Stories from English History_, and _Royal Portrait Gallery_, are two Royal Prize Books for the historical-minded child; they are published by T. NELSON AND SONS, as likewise "_Fritz_" _of Prussia, Germany's Second Emperor_, by LUCY TAYLOR. _Dictionary of Idiomatic English Phrases_, by JAMES MAIN DIXON, M.A., F.R.S.E., which may prove a useful guide to benighted foreigners in assisting them to solve the usual British vagaries of speech; like the commencement of the Dictionary, it is quite an "A1" book.
"Dear Diary!" as one of Mr. F.C. PHILLIPS's heroines used to address her little book, but DE LA RUE's are not "dear Diaries," nor particularly cheap ones. This publisher is quite the Artful Dodger in devising diaries in all shapes and sizes, from the big pocket-book to the more insidious waistcoat-pocket booklet,--"small by degrees, but beautifully less."
"Here's to you, TOM SMITH!"--it's BROWN in the song, but no matter,--"Here's to you," sings the Baron, "with all my heart!" Your comic gutta-percha-faced Crackers are a novelty; in fact, you've solved a difficulty by introducing into our old Christmas Crackers several new features.
This year the Baron gives the prize for pictorial amusement to LOTHAR MEGGENDORFER (Gods! what a name!), who, assisted by his publishers, GREVEL & CO., has produced an irresistibly funny book of movable figures, entitled _Comic Actors_. What these coloured actors do is so moving, that the spectators will be in fits of chuckling. Recommended, says THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.
ARGUMENT.--EDWIN has taken ANGELINA, his _fiancée_, to an entertainment by a Mesmerist, and, wishing to set his doubts at rest, has gone upon the platform, and placed himself entirely at the Mesmerist's disposition. On rejoining ANGELINA, she has insisted upon being taken home immediately, and has cried all the way back in the hansom--much to EDWIN's perplexity. They are alone together, in a Morning-room; ANGELINA is still sobbing in an arm-chair, and EDWIN is rubbing his ear as he stands on the hearthrug.