WIDE AWAKE, volume 18; [December 1883, May 1884.] D. Lothrop &Co.

This publication has won for itself a great fame among children all over the world; $5.00 will pay for the Bay State Monthly and Wide Awake for one year.

MANNERS AND SOCIAL USAGES, by MRS. JOHN SHERWOOD, author of “A Transplanted Rose;” 16mo., cloth, $1.00.  Harper & Brothers, New York.

THE HEARTHSTONE, FARM AND NATION; $2.00 per year.  W.H.  Thompson & Co., 404 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa., publishers.

A monthly journal in the interests of domestic and rural economy, agriculture, horticulture, live stock, current events, education, etc.  Its sixteen pages nicely edited, printed and illustrated, deserve a cordial welcome to the domestic fireside.

MEXICAN RESOURCES AND GUIDE TO MEXICO, by FREDERICK A. OBER.  Boston:  1884, Estes & Lauriat; price 50 cents.

An elegantly printed and illustrated book in pamphlet form as a supplemental volume to “Travels in Mexico.”  The first part contains a map of Mexico and fifty-seven pages replete with valuable historical and statistical information, while the latter part (35 pages) is devoted to such information and description as makes a guide book invaluable.  We are glad to see this book, and, for one reason, because so little comparatively is known of Mexico.  To capitalists, miners and merchants, in fact to the general public we heartily commend this book.

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A TOUCHING INCIDENT.

A YOUNG GIRL’S DEMENTIA—­HOW IT WAS OCCASIONED—­SOME NEW AND STARTLING
TRUTHS.

The St. Louis express, on the New York Central road, was crowded one evening recently, when at one of the way stations, an elderly gentleman, accompanied by a young lady, entered the cars and finally secured a seat.  As the conductor approached the pair, the young lady arose, and in a pleading voice said: 

“Please, sir, don’t let him carry me to the asylum.  I am not crazy; I am a little tired, but not mad.  Oh! no, indeed.  Won’t you please have papa take me back home?”

The conductor, accustomed though he was to all phases of humanity, looked with astonishment at the pair, as did the other passengers in their vicinity.  A few words from the father, however, sufficed, and the conductor passed on while the young lady turned her face to the window.  The writer chanced to be seated just behind the old gentleman, and could not forgo the desire to speak to him.  With a sad face and a trembling voice the father said: 

“My daughter has been attending the seminary in a distant town and was succeeding remarkably.  Her natural qualities, together with a great ambition, placed her in the front ranks of the school, but she studied too closely, was not careful of her health, and her poor brain has been turned.  I am taking her to a private asylum where we hope she will soon be better.”