In “The Three Wishes” is developed for the child the mystery of work and of worship; but it is all accomplished through incidents appealing wholly to imagination, and with beautiful art.  “The Little Castaways”—­really a deliberate farce, “taking off,” the stories of similar incident written for older folk—­is yet, in itself, for the child much more than that which is thus “taken off” ever could be for the older and more romantic reader.  “The Rock-Elephant” is full of humor and imaginative pathos.  “A Faery Surprise-Party” is as delicate as are Jack Frost’s pencillings, through which all the events of the story curiously move.  “New-Year’s Day in the Garden” has equal delicacy, and even greater beauty.

In all the stories there is a humanizing of all elements introduced, even the most material.  We are assured that the author’s efforts will meet with success.  Children, certainly, and all those especially interested in children, will hail the book with delight.  It is finely illustrated by F.A.  Chapman, who, it is evident, has spared no pains to render it attractive.  The engravings, be it said in their favor, are not too directly suggestive, as is generally the case, but, from their delicate insinuations, particularly beautiful.