There is no magic in it; and yet where may not so priceless a gift find its way? The dumb treasure is made to tell its own adventures: we find it as a gift in humble life the sport of many a strange scene: then an ornament prized by one of gentle birth; it is caressed with affection, carried away from home, midst scenes seldom witnessed by even those that travel far. The gem, of course, is often lost and found again—strangely, still so naturally; it lives the life, as it were, of a silent witness telling its own history. Last of all, we find it held in memory of one whose young life spanned but a lasting sorrow. These are mere faint shadows of the many pictures depicted in the little book, each, indeed, being a story in itself, sweetly told,—carrying a charm we must commend, for the youthful mind is led to reason whilst reading. Here it will find many a wise word spoken in earnest, kindly meant and admirably expressed. Its very title is romantic. If our young friends are curious to know, in confidence, we would tell them—lose not a day to possess ‘Ysobel’s Thimble,’”—Sunday Times.
“‘Ysobel’s Thimble,’ by Minnie Young is a simple, unpretending little tale of merit.”—Era.
“A pretty and interesting little story in which a gold thimble is, with the licence permitted in fiction, made to recount its own adventures, which are many and various. The tale is none the worse for embodying a wholesome lesson for which no juvenile reader can be the worse, while many may profit by it.”—Scotsman.
8vo. cloth, 2s. 6d.
Scenes from Plautus.
With Introductions and short Notes, for the Higher Forms in Public Schools, By W. Powell James, M.A., Oxon.
“It will be exceedingly useful to that large number of individuals who have never gained more than a smattering of some foreign tongue, and to those also, not a few, who engage to teach what they themselves have never learnt, or learnt most imperfectly. It is generally taken for granted that French, German, and Italian can be acquired very easily, but the study of this very useful book will prove how much care and attention it demands to learn either of them well.”—Tablet.
“The poems which occupy the earlier portion of this volume are exceedingly pleasing, and remind the reader somewhat of the style adopted by the Elizabethan writers. The dramatic sketches are professedly fragmentary, but they are thoughtful in style, and will be read with pleasure by a large class.”—City Press.
