ic, and we think she is very much like "Beth"; and I am
thirteen, and have been called "Jo."

So, you see, I was greatly interested in "Little Women," as I could
appreciate it so well; and it seemed to me as if Miss Alcott must
have seen us four girls before she wrote the story.

I have four first cousins, and they are all boys, and with my
sisters and me we are "eight cousins." One of my cousins is a
little baby, a little over five weeks old. He makes the eighth
cousin.

I liked the piece about Miss Alcott in the December number very
much. We expect to take your magazine until we are young women. I
think it the best published for young people.--Your friend,

ANNIE ADAMS.

* * * * *

By letters just received from England, we learn that the pretty
Christmas and New-Year cards in our December and January issues were
_not_ drawn by Miss Greenaway, though a friend had mistakenly sent them
to us last summer as specimens of that lady's work, cut from a
scrapbook. We, therefore, hasten to correct the error, wishing at the
same time, that we knew to whose hand to credit the drawings. To our
still greater regret, we now learn that Marcus Ward & Co., of London,
having published these as Christmas cards, and counted upon having a
large sale for them in America. Had we known this in time, we certainly
should not have copied the pictures without previously referring to the
publishers. The best reparation we can make at the present date is this
acknowledgement and a bit of honest advice to our readers: Hunt the
shops for the beautifully colored cards from which these pictures were
copied, and buy them for next Christmas. They are far better than our
printed ones.

* * * * *

Brooklyn, N.Y.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I am twelve years old and very fond of reading,
and as I never can find an interesting book of history, I read
stories. But mamma and other people tell me I ought to read
something instructive, but as I never can find anything I like, I
would be much obliged if you would help me a little by giving me a
list of pleasant books. I have taken you for three years and enjoy
you very much indeed.--Your very affectionate reader,

ALICE CLINTON.

"Greene's Shorter History of the English People," a new work, is very
interesting. H.M.D. in the "Letter-Box," October, 1876, sa