Two very interesting pieces of work had been loaned for the occasion:  one, a sofa cushion worked by Martha Washington; and the other a map of England and Wales, done in Berlin wools by George Washington’s aunt.

The map was beautifully worked, and was a marvel of neatness, with the counties all outlined in different colors, and their names worked in with very fine stitches.

Of Martha Washington’s handiwork it is hard to speak.  It was the ugliest sofa cushion you can imagine, worked in browns so that it should not show the dirt, and with such irregular stitches that either Madam Washington must have been losing her sight when she worked it, or else she was a very poor needle-woman.

The American exhibit had one wonderful case of work done by the blind.  It consisted of patches with specimens of sewing and running on them, a great many very fairly done buttonholes, and several little dolls’ aprons very neatly hemmed, and gathered with fine, even gathers.

It seemed impossible to believe that the hands that did this work had no eyes to guide them.  The buttonholes were so well made that they looked like the work of some careful, clever young children.

What a wonderful age we live in!  Fancy bringing the art of teaching to such perfection that the blind can be taught to sew!  Our young folks ought to be very thankful that they are growing up at a time when teachers endeavor to make learning a pleasure as well as a profit.  G.H.R.

BOOK REVIEWS.

We publish the following letter about the “Carved Cartoon”: 

This book deserves every word of praise given to it by our correspondent.  It is one of the most delightful stories written.  It treats of the adventures of Grinling Gibson, the famous carver in wood, who carved flowers so delicately that they could absolutely move on their stems. 
          
                                 Editor.

To the Editor:

Dear sir.—­Every year the cry for books increases.  “Tell us what to read,” is the constantly repeated demand, and parents, teachers, and publishers are often at a loss to keep the active brains of our young people supplied with sound, wholesome, and interesting literature.

Science, art, history, and zoology are presented to the little ones in varied and attractive forms, and now the great Round world has come forward to fill a long-felt want by giving the boys and girls clean, healthy, and concise accounts of what is taking place in their own and other countries.

It has always seemed strange to me that so few parents place in their children’s hands that beautiful story entitled the “Carved Cartoon.”  It is a book of breathless interest, containing the adventures of a young artist and a boy musician during the great London plague and fire.

    The story is founded on fact, and the author’s pen holds the
    reader entranced as it vividly pictures the stirring scenes of
    those thrilling years.