something of the Bracebridge family, with
which I once passed a Christmas. I am now on another visit at the
Hall, having been invited to a wedding which is shortly to take
place.... The family mansion is an old manor-house, standing in a
retired and beautiful part of Yorkshire. Its inhabitants have
been always regarded through the surrounding country as 'the
great ones of the earth,' and the little village near the hall
looks up to the squire with almost feudal homage.... While
sojourning in this stronghold of old fashions, it is my intention
to make occasional sketches of the scenes and characters before
me."

The success of Old Christmas has suggested the republication of
its sequel Bracebridge Hall, illustrated by the same able pencil,
but condensed so as to bring it within reasonable size and
price.--_Preface._

IRVING, WASHINGTON.
Old Christmas.
Illustrated by Randolph Caldecott.
Macmillan. 1.50

No one could be better fitted to depict the old customs of an English
Christmas than Mr. Caldecott, and his pictures are a perfect
accompaniment to this portion of Washington Irving's Sketch Book.

A man might then behold
At Christmas, in each hall
Good fires to curb the cold,
And meat for great and small.

The neighbors were friendly bidden, (p. 228)
And all had welcome true,
The poor from the gates were not chidden,
When this old cap was new.
_Old Song._

IRVING, WASHINGTON.
Rip Van Winkle, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Illustrated by G.H. Boughton.
Macmillan. 1.50

Irving's two most popular sketches, in which young people delight.

The spirits of this region must have met Washington Irving more
than half way, and the rest was like play to him. How real and
living are all the people of his fancy! Of all the author's
work--serious and humorous ... Rip Van Winkle took the most
immediate and lasting grip of his public.
G.H. BOUGHTON.

IRVING, WASHINGTON.
Rip Van Winkle.
Illustrated by Arthur Rackham.
Doubleday. 5.00

Five dollars seems to most of us a large sum to pay for a child's
book, but after seeing Mr. Rackham's remarkable work I think we sh