fearfully hot, the thermometer standing at noon over 105 in the shade. We were camped on tho Crackenbach, a branch of the Snowy River, and in front of my tent, straight across, stood the 'Ram's Head,' one of the highest of the Australian Peaks, which peered into the heavens, high above the range from which it rose. It was beautifully wooded, from the narrow strip of green grass that fringed the banks of the stream, to within a short distance of its summit, near which was still to be seen a large patch of snow, in which, as it glistened in the rays of the sun, I often did so wish to have a roll. "The foliage was so refreshing to the eyes during the burning summer heat, that I used to enjoy myself, when we stopped work, which was always, near sun-down, by sitting at my tent door-I suppose we may call it—and watching the changing colors the setting luminary flashed among the glossy leaves; and as the evening shades gathered round, and stillness reigned abroad, the noise made by the water tumbling over the large boulders, which impeded their gentle on-flow, became more apparent, and everything seemed so natural and soothing to me-many a time tired indeed-that I could have sat for hours looking at the shining heavens,' in which, on a very bright night, the stars seemed almost touching one another, so thickly was the sky studded with them. It was Christmas day, the trees looked so "A number of our party started early in the beautiful, every branch and twig being crystal- morning, on an expedition to have a view from ized with frosted snow, and the roaring fire the highest point; so as I knew it would be a made the room so warm and cozy, that even good many long miles ere they reached their Uncle Godfrey, who did not much approve of destination, and did not fancy the weary drag up cold, quite enjoyed the view from the window, the mountain, I agreed to remain and see after and was in the best of humors, and his darling dinner, which I was not at all sorry at, as it was niece knew that one of his " yarns' could easily at least five hours ere the flag-two square yards be coaxed out of him. of calico was hoisted. I could scarcely believe "Come now, uncle, a good long story" for a they had not torn it in two, as it seemed no nice long kiss," said the little tease. "Very well, then, I don't care if I do, as it is Christmas afternoon; but I won't promise a very long one; so pay beforehand, and I will then tell you about a Christmas dinner I hadyes, and had to cook the pudding myself, toosome ten years ago." larger than my hand; but as I heard the shot of the gun very indistinctly, and did not see the man at all, I saw that the distance was much greater than the mile in a direct line, which we all had put it down at. "Very tired were they all when they got back, and right glad to attack what I had ready for "Oh! shouldn't I like to have had a bit of them. The dinner-table, a sheet of bark peeled pudding made by uncle," said Lewis. "And did you stone all the raisins yourself?" asked Lydia. "Well, we will not go too closely into particulars, as I make no doubt you would have despised my poor pudding, after the 'splendid' one you had to-day,-but to my tale. "Now, I dare say you all know, that in New South Wales this day is in the middle of summer, so you will not be surprised when I tell you that the Christmas I am about to talk of was off a tree, looked first-rate, in their eyes at all events. At one end, a roast of mutton and baked potatoes (we had a camp-oven); at the other, plum-pudding-my handiwork—rich and good; lots of fruit; and all requisites excepting eggs, of which we had none; while in the centre, in lieu of a vase of flowers, was a large ball of snow (think of that in the middle of summer)! which they had brought, well wrapt up in a blanket. We had come in a tremendous hurry to this place, during a 'rush' to it, and on arrival, with a will, and soon repaired all damages, found we had only brought one tin plate, all the though, unfortunately, our success was not at rest being left behind, so here was a mess. Our all equal to our expectations, and we soon left mutton we managed to eat, using a slice of bread the place to try our luck in another quarter of as a plate, but the pudding, with its sauce (I had the gold-fields. not forgotten that), was a puzzler, until some Now, suppose I draw a moral from what I one suggested our shovels. Constant use in the have been telling you, and that is: Never water, among the gravel, had made them clean grumble when things are not quite as you would and shining, so they answered well, and I fancy wish them; but remember, however unpleasant I never, before or since, did enjoy a pudding as they may be, some one is almost sure to be in a much as I did this one, on this most original worse plight than yourself; and be certain, that plate, although I confess, the long handle, about although I had to eat my pudding off a shovel, four feet, was rather in the way; but as we were I was much better than many a poor man and all seated on logs, or on the grass, and had as woman, who had neither pudding nor meat to much room as we pleased, every one was satiseat at all on that Christmas-day." fied, and we all drank the health of our friends at home, in a pannikin of tea, and as we did so, each of us hoped, that by next Christmas our good fortune would enable us to join them in our fatherland. Alas! alas! how few, even at this long period of time, are nearer that wish than they were then! All are spread about-where? Friends as all of us were, I scarcely know the whereabouts of half-a-dozen. "But the day was to be remembered for more than the dinner. Some of us were lying on the water's edge-some were reading the letters and papers the mail man had just brought, while a few were having a survey of a dam we had finished the day before. It had been a heavy undertaking, being 160 feet long, to turn the water of the river into a course we had dug for it, to enable us to get at the gold we expected to find in the old bed, when it was dried. "We all felt thankful when it was completed, as the morrow would show us what was what; but things do not always turn out as we expect or wish, for now we witnessed a most extraordinary event, and one which completely upset all our plans, for the water all of a sudden began to rise, and, in a few seconds, came down in a body; and before we could do anything to save them, away went our dam, which was seven or eight feet high, and very substantially built of timber and sods, and with it went our picks, shovels, and other tools we had been using in the claim. Some of the party were on the opposite bank, and so sudden was the rise, that it was as much as they could do to get back, by jumping from rock to rock. "We had not had a drop of rain for weeks and weeks, which made it more surprising, but the fact was, it had been raining hard in the mountains, many miles away, at the source of the river, which then came rolling along a solid body, a couple of feet high, and swept everything that it found in its way right before it. What are the Stars? Are they white lambs, those stars on high, Or silver lilies are they there, With sweetest petals open spread, Or consecrated candles, tall, That on God's altar shine so bright, To dissipate with softest light? Ah! no, they are the letters fair, With which good angels, clothed in white, Sweet hymns of love for us prepare, And in heaven's book of record write. Christmas Hymn. How gently now those anthems float Glory to God! aloud they sing, And spread o'er all the earth. O Star of Promise, shining bright To light us e'er through virtue's path, Until we meet around the throne BOOK NOTICES. only one phase that we do not want our books to take, and that is the flashy American novel, for that we have an utter detestation. The books issued this winter, as a rule, are good. They are probably not the best adapted to educate their readers, or to give that culture which we would like to see in all classes and in every part of our country. But of one thing we are assured, they are adapted to the wants of the reading public. How do we know it? They are issued by publishers of large experience of the wants of our people, and they have an extensive sale. GOLD AND NAME. BY MARIE SOPHIE SCHWARTZ. Translated Have you read the "Children of the Abbey?" No. Then you are young. When I was a boy it was a standard novel, to be read and cried over by stealth, for our good orthodox parents were opposed "to such vanities." But you have read the "Scottish Chiefs?" No. Then you have missed a very great pleasure. No one should reach the age of twenty without fighting over the battles of Wallace, and feeling the loves of heroines of the tale. the notice of our readers. MONSIEUR SYLVESTRE. A novel. By GEORGE SAND. Trans "Gold and Name" is neither like the one or the other, and yet it continually reminds the reader of both. It is a novel after the olden "There are two methods of reviewing a book, style, not stilted and full of exaggerated passion, the ungracious and the gracious. One, and the but a fair exponent of life in Sweden. We think easier, is to find all possible fault with it: to it will be read with pleasure, and commend it to prove, at least to the critic's own satisfaction, how much better he could have written the book, if he too had had the time, and the money and the will. As for the talent, the critic has that lated from the French by Francis George Shaw. Boston, Roberts & Brothers; Cincinnati, Robert Clarke & Co. as a matter of course; for is not a critic one who judges other men, and is therefore wiser We confess a liking for the writings of George than they? And as for the knowledge, that is Sand-Madame Dudevant, and have yet to find not needed. He may acquire that in the very anything objectionable in them. We are freprocess of reviewing, from the book which he quently reminded of a laxity of morals upon reviews. Thus, following nature in economizing the part of the French, and its particular maniforce as much as possible, he is at once learner festation in French Novels. Whilst this is true and teacher: judge and parasite. Taking an- of some, it is not true of the writings of George other man's materials he shows the world how Sand. much better a house he could have built with them; and so has the clear profit of all the author's work." Roberts & Bros. are re-publishing these works in uniform style. We have already noticed two, Manprat" and "Antonina," and we can recom"But the other or gracious method of review- mend the present volume, " Monsieur Sylvestre" ing a book, is to ascertain what the book is as one that will give pleasure to the reader. It really worth, at least to the class for whom it is differs in style from the others, in being a series written; and if it be worth anything, to recom- of letters; but this, instead of being an objecmend it to them heartily; being sure that tion is an advantage in some respects. attractiveness is no test of value, and that there is no more utter fallacy than that good wine needs no bush." CCMPANIONS OF MY SOLITUDE. BY ARTHUR HELPS. Boston, Roberts & Brothers; Cincinnati, Robert Clarke & Co. We prefer the gracious method, for we love The writings of Arthur Helps are models of books, and believe that a book must be very bad good English, and we are not sure but this is that is not better than no book at all. There is their highest recommendation. The subjects FIELD AND FOREST; or the Fortunes of a Farmer By OLIVER OPTIC. Boston, Lee & Shepard; Cincinnati, Robert Clarke & Co. discussed are very trite, and no new ideas are advanced; yet the thoughts are so gracefully expressed, the language so smooth and well Our old acquaintance, Oliver Optic, comselected that we feel obliged to the author for mences with this a new series-" Upward and telling us that which we know so well already. Onward" which will be completed in six volBut we now and then get a glimpse of English umes. He is a favorite with the young folks, life and English methods of thought which is and we may expect that these will prove as much more impressive here, where not intended, popular as those which have preceded them. than in some other works in which this is a principal object. The English mind, like the English body, has a robust life that we envy; and as its manifestations come to us from month to month across the water, we feel that it has all! its original vigor and truthfulness. THE TONE MASTERS; A musical Series for young people By Robert Clarke & Co. 3 vols.Kathie's Three Wishes-Kathie's Aunt Ruth-Kathie's Summer at Cedarwood. Boston, Lee & Shepard; Cineinnati, Robert Clarke & Co. KATHIE STORIES. By Miss A. M. Douglass. Three pretty volumes in green and gold, giving the history and adventures of a very nice little girl. Our mentor says "she is a wee bit too good," but then she is given as an example for other little girls to pattern after. It is very likely if you should buy this box of books for a In our last issue we noticed two volumes of little girl of your acquaintance, you would be this series "Mozart and Mendelssohn," treated to a pair of bright eyes, a joyous laugh, "Handel and Hayden." Now we have "Bach and clapping of hands, and possibly a kiss, which and Beethoven." They constitute a very pleas- would repay the expenditure. ant history of these masters in music for the young, and are especially to be commended to those who have a musical taste, or who are en- We have received Vick's Annual reminder, gaged in the study of music. Recollect, they that he is ready to furnish flower-seeds to all are not only pleasant biographies, giving much who may wish to beautify their gardens or useful information, but they are connected with houses this year. His Annual Catalogue is a very pretty stories as well. These three volumes gem in its way, and we have personal experience will make a very suitable present for a young that his flower-seeds are good. miss commencing her years of piano thrumming. THE BECKONING SERIES. BY PAUL COBDEN. Boston, Lee & Six volumes of this series are promised, of which we have two, "Who will Win," and "Going on a Mission," They are very pleasantly written, convey a good moral, and will prove acceptable to the young folks. The boys and girls of the story are very much like boys and girls the world over, possibly a shade better, with more of the good things of life, and unpleasant things kept out of sight; but this is to be expected. ARTHUR BROWN, THE YOUNG CAPTAIN. By the Rev. ELIJAH VICK's Illustrated Floral Catalogue for 1871. "There's a good time coming, yet, "There's a good time coming yet, War in all men's eyes shall be In the good time coming; PLEASURES OF LITERATURE.-How I pity those who have no love of reading, of study, or This is also the commencement of a new of the fine arts! I have passed my youth series of six-"The Pleasant Cove Series," by amidst amusements and in the most brilliant one of our favorite writers. As Rev. is pre- society; but I can assert with perfect truth, fixed to his name, these would be especially that I have never tasted pleasures so true as suggested for Sunday School libraries, but in those I have found in the study of books, in fact all of Lee & Shepard's juveniles are well writing, or in music. The days that succeed adapted to this use. We have gotten past the brilliant entertainments are always melancholy, time when Sunday School books must describe but those which follow days of study are those extra pious children-who always die young. And we are quite willing to put such healthy stories as these in our children's hands, even though they do describe the world as we find it. delicious: we have gained something; we have acquired some new knowledge, and we recall the past day not only without disgust and without regret, but with consummate satisfaction.— Madame de Genlis. |