The name of the Rev. Charles B. Tayler would alone have served as a sufficient warrant that The Angel’s Song, a Christmas Token, is work of still more serious character, even though the author had not told his readers, in his Envoy, that the tale was written to correct the mistake into which many well-meaning people have fallen on the subject of Christmas merriment; and to suggest the spirit in which this sacred season should be celebrated.  That the book will be favourably received by the large class of readers to whom it is addressed, there can be little doubt; and to their attention we accordingly commend it.  It is very tastefully got up.

To the publisher of The Angel’s Song, Mr. Sampson Low, we are also indebted for a very stirring and interesting book, The Whaleman’s Adventures in the Southern Ocean, edited by the Rev. Dr. Scoresby, from the notes of a pious and observant American clergyman, whilst embarked, on account of his health, on a whaling voyage to the South Seas and Pacific Ocean.  That Dr. Scoresby should think the matter of this work so far novel and interesting, as well as “calculated for conveying useful moral impressions,” renders it scarcely necessary to say another word in its recommendation.  But it has a higher object than mere amusement; its object is to enforce upon those “who go down to the sea in ships,” the duty of “remembering the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.”

Here our editorial labours have been interrupted by a band of infant critics to whose unprejudiced judgments we had entrusted Peter Little and the Lucky Sixpence,—­each begging to be allowed to keep the book.  Good reader, do you wish for better criticism?  Worthy author of this Verse Book for Children, do you wish for higher praise?

We have received the following Catalogues:—­John Petheram’s (94.  High Holborn) Catalogue, Part CXIX.  No. 13. for 1850 of Old and New Books; Bernard Quaritch’s (16.  Castle Street, Leicester Square) Catalogue No. 22. of English, French, German, and Italian Books; John Lyte’s (498.  New Oxford Street) Book Catalogue for 1851.

* * * * *

Notices To Correspondents.

Although we have enlarged our present Number to twenty-four pages, we are compelled to request the indulgence of our correspondents for the omission of many valuable communications.

NOTES AND QUERIES may be procured, by order, of all Booksellers and Newsvendors.  It is published at noon on Friday, so that our country Subscribers ought not to experience any difficulty in procuring it regularly.  Many of the country booksellers, &c., are, probably, not yet aware of this arrangement, which will enable them to receive NOTES AND QUERIES in their Saturday parcels.

Part XIV., for December, price 1s., is now ready for delivery.

THE INDEX TO VOLUME THE SECOND will be ready early in
January.