ikely to be
derived from them, the more so as the similarity of name and language
prevents children from being on their guard, and from remembering that
the representations that they read are by foreigners." It was the
American view of English institutions (presented in story-book form)
which rankled in the British breast as a "condescending tenderness of
the free nation towards the monarchical regime" from which at any cost
the English child must be guarded. In this respect Peter Parley was the
worst offender, and was regarded as "a sad purveyor of slip-slop, and no
matter how amusing, ignorant of his subject." That gentleman, meanwhile,
read the criticisms and went on making "bread and butter," while he
scowled at the English across the water, who criticised, but pirated as
fast as he published in America.

Gentle Miss Eliza Leslie received altogether different treatment in this
review of American juvenile literature. She was considered "good
everywhere, and particularly so for the meridian in which her tales were
placed;" and we quite agree with the reviewer who considered it well
worth while to quote long paragraphs from her "Tell Tale" to show its
character and "truly useful lesson." "To America," continued this
writer, "we also owe a host of little books, that bring together the
literature of childhood and the people; as 'Home,' 'Live and Let Live'
[by Miss Sedgwick], &c., but excellent in intention as they are, we have
our doubts, as to the general reception they will meet in this country
while so much of more exciting and elegant food is at hand." Even if the
food of amusement in England appeared to the British mind more spiced
and more _elegant_, neither Miss Leslie's nor Miss Sedgwick's fictitious
children were ever anaemic puppets without wills of their own,--a type
made familiar by Miss Edgeworth and persisted in by her admirers and
successors,--but vitalized little creatures, who acted to some degree,
at least, like the average child who loved their histories and named her
dolls after favorite characters.

To-day these English criticisms are only of value as showing that the
American story-book was no longer imitating the English tale, but was
developing, by reason of the impress of differing social forces, a new
type. Its faults do not prevent us from seeing that the spirit expressed
in this juvenile literature is that of a new nation feeling its own way,
and making known its purpose in its own manner. Wh