OUR LIBRARY TABLE.

MAPLE HAYES. (Maple Hayes, a Novel, interview takes place upon the cliffs at midnight, 3 vols. London: T. C. Newby, 30, Welbeck and is a stormy one. It results in Mr. Hunter Street.) The story told in these three volumes, accepting the latter of the two alternatives. In and which from the opening page to the closing the meantime Madame's brother has appeared one is scarcely for a moment lost sight of, is a upon the scene, and conceived the design of wild and passionate one. It possesses deep marrying Esther, Mr. Hunter's daughter, for interest, and some of the chapters, dramatically some pecuniary advantage held out by Sir considered, are vigorous and powerful. The Richard Moreton, who wishes by this means to scene opens in one of those numerous close prevent Lady Scarson's son from marrying her. courts which abound in the West Central dis- Miss Hunter learns her father's evil history, and tricts of London, and have a severe business the Frenchman, Madame's brother, induces her, character. In a house in this court live Madame under the belief that by so doing she will save Marley and her son. Madame keeps a shop her father from Madame's vengeance, to fly with for the sale of the more artistic pottery wares, him. Her flight is followed by the apprehension cameos, &c. The opening chapters reveal, how- of her father, evidence tending to show that he ever, that her object is not selling these things, did really murder his brother. Two magisterial but that she has adopted the business because examinations take place, and at the last it is it was that of a man who, while hiding in satisfactorily proved that though the brothers France, had married, and just before the birth fought and quarrelled over some money matters of her boy had deserted her and returned to on the cliff, the deceased leapt from the rock, England. Eighteen years have passed since and was not thrown off, consequently the father this event when the story opens; and, in the is acquitted. In the meantime young Mr. Scarmeantime, with her heart set upon a deadly son, who loves Miss Hunter, returns from his revenge, and filled with implacable hatred, the yachting cruise on the Norwegian coast to learn Frenchwoman has waited in the hope that her of her marriage, and be of course indignant husband would come for the sale of his goods thereat. It transpires that immediately after the to her. This he eventually does, and she learns ceremony she had escaped from the Frenchman that he is living in a village in Derbyshire and was in hiding. A search takes place, and Maple Hayes. Thither Madame removes with she is discovered. It is also ascertained that her son to find this Mr. Hunter, her husband, there was no marriage at all, Esther having been with another wife, a charming daughter, and a drugged and left upon the rocks while another goodly sized pottery. The son gets into this woman went through the ceremony. Madame's pottery to work; Madame gets introduced to heart, in a paroxysm of madness and agony, her husband's house; saves his daughter from bursts at the acquittal of Mr. Hunter, and the drowning in a brook into which she has fallen. failure of her deadly scheme of revenge. Her These and other fortuitous events give her free brother, who has fled to London, returns to entrance into Mr. Hunter's house, and Frank Maple Hayes in the hope of securing her progets introduced in a somewhat mysterious man-perty, but instead meets with summary punishner, and by a very mysterious man, to the Hall, Lady Scarson's residence, where a good deal of the action takes place. Opposite the house of Maple Hayes, which is built in a lovely position at the side of a cliff, is a place called the "Slip Gap Cliff," from a natural gap there is in the rocks just there. This Madame learns was the scene of a murder or suicide some years previously, the murdered man-she declares it was murder being her husband's brother, and the murderer her husband. Here is a means for Madame to wreak her vengeance upon her husband. She becomes a detective and unravels the threads and pieces them together, collecting evidence to prove her husband's capital guilt. This she does to her own satisfaction. Then she meets Mr. Hunter and offers him one of two alternatives to accompany her to her native village where she was spurned at by her acquaintances when he deserted her, or to be accused of the murder of her brother. This

ment for his villanies (and they are many) at the hands of some of Mr. Hunter's dependants; and, after long explanations, the story ends with the marriage of Mr. Scarson to Esther. Such are the leading features of the book. They make an exciting story, which is graphically told. The character of the half anglicised Frenchwoman, with her great wrongs, her thirst for vengeance, her white hair and black eyes, is powerfully drawn, and as much may be said for most of the other characters, though it is impossible to avoid wishing that there had been fewer events of an almost miraculous character, such as that of a paralytic cripple for ten or twelve years being able for one night only to rise and walk on the cliffs; one almost forgives the improbability, however, by reason of the scene between the husband and his two wives, to which it leads. The author is evidently familiar with the scenes which he paints, and the broad country dialect of Derbyshire, and the peaceful tranquillity of

its beautiful hills and valleys, which forms so
remarkable a contrast to the various passions
and fears under which his characters are
suffering
J. D. C.

the Journal. When we say that Captain Mayne Reid is at the head of "Story Tellers," and Percy B. St. John follows him, our boy friends will comprehend the feast of good things prepared for them.

THE NEW ZEALAND HAND-BOOK AND

GUIDE (London: Stamford, Charing Cross).As this little work has reached a ninth edition, it needs little more at our hands than to name written account of the island and its colonies, the publisher. It contains not only a wellbut every other species of information necessary to the anticipative colonist, from his outfit to the interest of a company, but its pages his landing. The book is apparently written in

CAVENDISH ON WHIST: The Laws and principles of Whist Stated and Explained, and its Practice Illustrated on an Original System by means of Hands Played Completely through. (London: Bancks Brothers, 12, Glasshouse, S.W.)-The neat volume, of which the above is the title, has already passed through many editions, and been received with the welcome it deserved. It is rather surprising, considering our national predilection for whist, that the antiquated Hoyle was not earlier supplanted by an ingenious book like this. It will be a boon are not on that account limited in their usefulto every whist-player. It is quite original in system, giving, in addition to comprehensiveness, nor are the descriptions of the natural beauties and condition of the country overrules for the regulation of everything relating to the game, a series of hands, and showing how drawn, or the prospective advantages of settling they should be played, and the reason why. It tended colonist as to his arrangements on boardin it exaggerated. The directions for the inexplains the absurdity of many ancient and ship contain every essential detail, and are calaccepted whist-players' axioms, and sets in a clear light the principles which must be acted culated to save much discomfort and disappointupon in scientific play. All whist-players know ment to those who are uninitiated in the troubles how annoying it is to have a good set spoiled of a long sea voyage. A few literary oversights by one bad player whose irregularities destroy all occur in the work, as for instance--though it is the calculation, reduce the game almost to one very agreeable for anticipative voyagers to know of chance, and even more by making the good Zealand are well victualled-the "N. B. Pasthe Crosby Square line of packets to New players suffer, for deducing by ordinary rules from previous play the cards held by his part- including live stock," savours of an approach sengers are supplied with an unlimited table, ner, and which at the right time are found to be elsewhere. With the aid of "Cavendish," no to aboriginal manners at the outset rather player attached to the game and desirous of startling in our latitude. avoiding such grave blunders as lead to this vexing result need commit them. The little book before us is closely reasoned, even in the primary matters, and it places within reach of its readers all the advantages which are enjoyed by those who have an experienced mentor to sit down, sort out the cards, teach them to play their own hand, and draw inferences as the game proceeds from the play of the others. The book is the authority at all the whist-playing clubs, and to private families who play as an evening pastime, it will be of great value, and cannot fail to give them a greater interest in the game, as well as to prove a valuable reference upon all those little niceties of play which so constantly arise and hitherto have been so difficult to settle. J. D. C.

PERIODICALS.

THE BOY'S JOURNAL (Henry Vickers, Strand).-We are delighted to find that the reading boys of England muster strong enough to maintain their own special literary organs. Amongst these we notice as deserving our best praise "The Boy's Journal." In the numbers before us their literary tastes, their love of scientific knowledge, of practical experiments, of ingenuity are admirably catered for, while their amusements form a prominent feature of

THE FAMILY FRIEND (London: H. Lea and this long-established and favourably known Co., Fleet-street).-The New Year's number of domestic magazine opens well with a tale entitled "Love for Life," a New England story. A pretty story "Issy and her Lovers" follows, and besides the literature there is a generous supply of seasonable games and fireside amusements for young and old: acting charades, music, enigmas, and a host of desultory information and useful receipts.

MAGNET STORIES (Groombridge and Sons, Paternoster Row). MY LONGEST WALK. By Mrs. Russel Grey. THE YOUNG FORESTERS. By Frances Brown.-Two nicely written stories, the first giving glimpses of English rural life, and of Chester, Chatsworth, and Haddon; is rather tame in description and incident. The situations, which are not without interest, might have been made much more of than they are, but it is a pretty readable story for all that. Frances Brown takes her young readers to Archangel, and has contrived those picturesque scenes and dangerous adventures that children love so much. Both stories are pleasant additions to the pleasant series of which they form part.

BRITISH WORKMEN OUT AND AT HOME (Hall, Smart, and Allen, Paternoster_Row).The best penny publication that we know of,

and well calculated to be of practical use to the better order of the labouring classes. Instead of writing down to the tastes of the majority of humble readers, the literature is of a quality to raise them mentally and morally. The whole tone of the work is healthy.

pursuit; and on the other hand of their scruples leading ladies to study an expurgated edition of physiology and medicine. The writer of the article in the "English Woman's Journal" has, we hope, put him at rest on both views of the question: and we repeat with the author that, as a general thing, woman is even now "the world's physician" in all but what is most agreeable and pecuniarily profitable. The

ENGLISH WOMAN'S JOURNAL, 19, Langham-place, Regent-street (Jarrold, and Co., Paternoster Row).-The very interesting series of papers under the title of "Women's Work in the World's Clothing" is brought down in the January number of our contemporary to the introduction of machinery, and the consequent revolution in feminine employments. The pretty spinning-wheel which yet lingered in Irish cottages when we were a child, and found a home under the auspices of our enterprising and industrious mother in my father's house has given place to the spinning-jenny and the mule. The stocking-frame puts aside the knitting-needles, the jacquard-loom the lacecushion. And women's work, driven from home, is only to be had in factories. Will the author trace farther the effect of this forced exile of mothers and daughters from the family hearth to the manufactories, and show the moral and social changes wrought by it? we hope so. An article entitled "Female Medicine," administers a sharp and deserved philippic to the writer of a paper in the London Medical Times and Gazette, who, frightened for his fees at the proposal of a "Medical Female College," with actually list of names constituting apparently a committee for the furtherance of such an institution," is seized with a sudden fear for the intended students, on the score of the indelicacy of the [We regret that want of space obliges us to keep over notices of the "Journal of the Life-Boat Institution," and "Workhouse Visiting Society."]

rugged" duty of making diagnosis and prescription, that which requires education only, is no part of her business, but the mixing of the medicine, the waiting on the wants and whims of the patient, "the sleepless watch," the annoyance of whatever is " distasteful" in the long and weary monotony of a sick room, she is welcome to, without any question of its laboriousness, or delicacy, or indelicacy. Very truly do we hope that the day is coming, when feminine professors of medicine may be the most popular ones for the ailments of children and those of their own sex.

a

ODD FELLOWS' QUARTERLY MAGAZINEMANCHESTER.-The current number amongst various specialties contains a very pretty original poem by Eliza Cook; a continuation of Mr. Robert's tale of "Self Help;" and a pretty little sketch by Isabella Munro. Of the continued story we reserve our comments till it is finished. We are glad to find that the "Physiology of Health" is being written of in these pages, convinced as we are that till the subject is more widely discussed and understood, improved homes and cleanliness amongst the working classes cannot be hoped for.

C. A. W.

NEW MUSIC.

SIX CHORAL SONGS. Composed by Hatton. | instance we know not which is most to be con-
Words by Mrs. Newton Crosland, Mary Cowden
Clarke, and Beaumont and Fletcher. (Novello
and Co.).

No. 1. "The Belfry Tower." Poetry by Mrs.
Newton Crosland.

No. 2. " England." Poetry by Mary Cowden
Clarke.

66

Poetry by

Poetry by Mrs.

No. 3. "Come celebrate the May."
Mary Cowden Clarke.
No. 4.
Song to Pan." Poetry by Beaumont
and Fletcher.
No. 5. "The Indian Maid."
Newton Crosland.
No. 6. "The Pearl Divers."
Newton Crosland.
-At all times the wedding of poetry to sweet
music affords a double delight. In the present

Poetry by Mrs.

gratulated-the composer or the song-writers The name of the first is a sufficient guarantee for the beauty of the melodies and the musical skill of their adaptation. Mr. Hatton is one of the happiest of our part-song writers, and in these songs, specially "The Belfry Tower," "England," "The Indian Maid," and "The Pearl Divers," he has done justice to the graceful verses that have inspired the airs. Family part-singing is now so much in vogue, that we are doing our readers good service in drawing attention to these choral songs. No. 1, in which the bells play their part through the air, and No. 5, in which a little Indian melody is introduced, pervading it with a sad grace, and the finely-stirring rhythm of No. 2 will, we think, quite bear out our appreciation of them.

MATERIALS.-No. 14 Boar's-head crochet cotton, of Messrs. Walter Evans and Co., Derby.

CROCHET GIMP.

MATERIALS.-Boar's-head cotton No. 10 of Messrs. Walter Evans and Co., of Derby, and steel crochet.

Make a chain the length required, then work | it back in double crochet. This very simple ornament, made of white cotton, will be found

THE TOILET.

(Specially from Paris.)

skirt.

FIRST FIGURE, WINTER TOILET.-Dress of bindweed flowers, to match those on the of Lyons cloth, ornamented on each joining of the widths of the skirt by a gimp ornament twelve inches deep. Body round at the waist, with epaulets composed of gimp. Sleeves halftight, ending in a cuff trimmed to match the epaulets. Paletot of velvet cloth, marking the waist, and trimmed up each seam with a large piping of black silk. Black velvet bonnet, having a crown of white tulle, covered with lace. SECOND FIGURE.-INDOOR TOILET, consisting of a skirt of moire antique, ornamented by two wide velvet bands. Figaro jacket of velvet, trimmed at the top of the sleeves and towards the bottom by a rich gimp ornament. Collar of antique guipure. Under-sleeves to match the collar. Invisible hair-net, ornamented with velvet loops, forming a halfgarland.

La robe "Marguerite des Près" has the skirt of double white tulle, very bouillonné at the bottom. The corsage is of vivid-yellow taffety, covered with tulle of the same colour. The corsage is supposed to represent the centre of the flower, and the skirt, over which falls a crowd of bias bands, of double crepe-lisse, bound with white taffety the rayed petals. Daisyflowers are scattered from place to place on the skirt, and boutons d'or on the corsage; and on the shoulders are tufts of meadow daisies. This dress is specially dedicated to brunettes, who should wear in their hair tufts of buttercups with a single daisy in their centres.

What flowers shall I wear in my hair? What tint shall my dress be? are questions constantly addressed to us by some fair lady preparing for a ball or evening party.

There is no lack of choice of tints, style, or fabric. Fantasy has created an abundance of the loveliest materials, to all of which Fashion has stood sponsor. There is "La robe neige," pure and light-looking as its namesake-acloud of tulle illusion and crepe-lisse, over white taffety, with sprays of white roses on the shoulder and halfcircling the dress, and the same flowers wreathed in the hair.

There are

"La Charmille," and "Marguerite des Près," and "Violet marine”—the poetry of dress, you will allow, at least as far as designations go. The very names, you see, engender rhyme.

La Charmille" is composed of pale-green silk, veiled with tarlatane of the same colour. At the bottom of this second skirt are placed biases of wood-brown silk, separated slightly, and between them interlacing trainesses of white and rose-coloured bindweed. The corsage is pointed, and also covered, like the skirt, with tarlatane, which is fulledin at top and bottom to form a drapery, A bias of wood-brown taffety and train of bindweed traverse the corsage; and a short cordon of the same flower ornaments the shoulders, and is allowed to fall on the sleeves, of white tulle bouillonné, en "neige." Head-dress

As for "La robe Violet marine," it consists of a double skirt of white tarlatane, the bottom of the first ornamented with cut ruches set-on in deep point, in each of which a tuft of violets marines are placed. The second skirt is relieved à la Pompadour, at each side, the three plaitsof the skirt being fastened by these tufts of violets marines. This skirt is finished by a deep bias of taffety, of the same shade as the flowers. The corsage of this robe is white, ornamented with a draped bertha of tarlatane. A bias of taffety mauve finishes the bertha at top and bottom. On the sleeves (short ones) and in the middle of the corsage is posed a tuft of marine violets.

For little evening parties, with high robes, flowers are not allowed in the hair, except under condition of being mixed with coquilles of black or white blonde.

For tea or dinner parties, high corsages of black tulle, formed by bouillonnés separated by entre deux of lace, are worn.

Bonnets are not much altered. Here in Paris, the Marie Stuart is at present the adopted style, though it is not, as we see by our Fashion Plates, the universal one. Jet is much used in trimming them; and the entomological and ornithological fever which broke out last spring is still on the increase so much, that the fashion correspondent of an American magazine, describing an elegant English bonnet of crêpe, point-lace, and flowers, observes-" on which and through which were 'bugs' (the popular name for all insects, in America) innumerable.

AMUSEMENTS OF THE MONTH.

The pantomimes, as usual, crowd the various as it is supported by all the cast, the paramount houses. The bill at

THE HAYMARKET

Includes the re-written version of "Our American Cousin" and Mr. Wm. Brough's burlesque, “King Arthur.” In the first piece, admirably

interest is centred in Mr. Sothern and Mr. Buckstone as Dundreary and Asa Trenchard respectively. The new bed-room scene, between these two, is one of the most really ludicrous things produced on the stage for years past. The irresistible drollery of Mr. Buckstone's voice and