he adventures recorded in this book really occurred; one
or two were experiences of my own, the rest those of boys who
were schoolmates of mine. Huck Finn is drawn from life; Tom
Sawyer also, but not from an individual--he is a combination of
the characteristics of three boys whom I knew, and therefore
belongs to the composite order of architecture. The odd
superstitions touched upon were all prevalent among children and
slaves in the West at the period of this story.--_Preface._

Boys love it, and broad-minded parents will put the volume in their
children's hands before they borrow it.

VAILE, C.M.
The Orcutt Girls.
Wilde. 1.50

Two sisters--ambitious in the best sense--by means of exertion manage,
by boarding themselves, to attend Merton Academy for one term. A (p. 197)
good picture of this phase of New England life of long ago. The
tale is said to have a foundation of fact.

WIGGIN, K.D. (S.).
Polly Oliver's Problem.
Houghton. 1.00

Polly bravely takes care of her invalid mother, and later when left
alone helps to support herself by her beautiful gift for
story-telling. The book has a bright and helpful influence.

WIGGIN, K.D. (S.).
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.
Houghton. 1.25

Rebecca is a quaint and lovable girl whose nature, full of enthusiasm,
originality, and imagination, charms all who encounter her. Mrs.
Wiggin's delightful sense of humor pervades the sketch.

WILKINS, M.E. (MRS. M.E. (W.) FREEMAN).
In Colonial Times.
Lothrop. .50

Little five-year-old Ann is made the bound girl of Samuel Wales, of
Braintree. After some hard experiences Ann tries to run away, but in
time she learns to love the really kind-hearted people to whose care
she has fallen, and in the end becomes the adopted daughter of Mrs.
Polly Wales. The Squire's Sixpence is a simple school story of
long-ago days.

_FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE_ (p. 198)

_"God gives thee youth but once. Keep thou
The Childlike heart that will His kingdom be;
The soul pure-eyed that, wisdom-led, e'en now
His blessed face shall see."_

AMUSEMENTS AND HANDICRAFT

Let them freely feast, sing and dance, have their puppet-plays,
hobby-horses, tabors, crowds, bagpipes, etc., play at ball, and
barley-breaks, and what spo