Blessing and I had worked during the day in the sweat of our brow and produced a "Polar Champagne 83d Degree," which made a sensation, and which we two, at least, believed we had every reason to be proud of, being a product derived from the noble grape of the polar regionsviz., the cloudberry (multer). The others seemed to enjoy it too, and, of course, many toasts were drunk in this noble beverage. Quantities of illustrated books were then brought forth; there was music and stories and songs and general merriment.

At

On Christmas day, of course, we had a special dinner. After dinner coffee and curaçao made here on board, and Nordahl then came forward with Russian cigarettes. night a bowl of cloudberry punch was served out, which did not seem by any means unwelcome. Mogstad played the violin, and Pettersen was electrified thereby to such a degree that he sang and danced to us. He really exhibits considerable talent as a comedian, and has a decided bent towards the ballet. It is astonishing what versatility he displays: engineer, blacksmith, tinsmith, cook, master of ceremonies, comedian, dancer, and last of all he has come out in the capacity of a firstclass barber and hair-dresser. There

Yesterday being "the Second Christmas Day," of course, both on this account and because it was Jewell's birthday, we had a special dinner, with ox-tail soup, pork cutlets, red whortleberry preserve, cauliflowers, fricandeau, potatoes, preserved currants, also pastry, and a wonderful iced almond cake with the words "Glaedlig Jul" (A Merry Christmas) on it, from Hansen, baker, Christiania, and then malt extract. We cannot complain that we are faring badly here. About 4 o'clock this morning the vessel received a violent shock which made everything tremble, but no noise of ice packing was to be heard. half past five I heard at intervals the crackling and crunching of the pack ice which was surging in the lane ahead. At night similar noises were also heard; otherwise the ice was quiet, and the crack on the port side has closed up tight again.

About

"Please yourself by pleasing pleasing others." No other time of the year offers a better opportunity for giving substantial expression for one's friendly feelings towards others, than Christmas. The custom of making presents to friends and relatives at this time, making Christmas a day of joy for young and old, is an old and general one. And of all the gifts, that are spread out in tempting variety on all the counters in all departments, books claim the first consideration. A good book will always be welcomed and appreciated. There is no better, more significant or more enduring gift than a good book. It is a passport to a goodly country, where all may find rest, refreshment, healthy amusement and inspiration. Barrow, an old English writer, says:

"He who loves a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counsellor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter, as by reading, writing and thinking, one may innocently divert and pleasantly entertain himself in all weather, so in all fortunes."

The mass of good and attractive books, brought out for the Holiday Season is bewildering. I cannot attempt to mention all, but will endeavor to offer our readers as a guide in their selection of suitable presents, a few suggestions by giving short reviews of some interest

ing new books, which have come to my notice. In heading this review "Holiday Books," I do not mean to confine myself strictly to such books, which, in their festival garb, have been produced principally for the purpose of presenting in their outward appearance a "gift," but shall mention such books as well, which, without making much outward show, will be appreciated for their intrinsic value and contents alone. The classics, standard works and familiar old books I need not mention; of these the book buyer will find a large assortment of plain and elaborate editions in the book store.

History and Biography.

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The death of two of the greatest public men of this century, Gladstone and Bismarck, has naturally called forth a great number of works dealing with their lives and deeds. One of the best books on England's Grand Old Man is Justin MeCarthy's Story of Gladstone's Life," which has just been published in a beautiful new illustrated edition. (8vo. cloth. Price $4.50.) In its outward appearance alone it presents a beautiful holiday gift; but also its intrinsic value, its authenticity, and the attractive style in which it is written secure for it a prominent place in every library. Another worthy memorial volume is:

By Rev. Frank W. Gunsaulus, president Armour Institute, Chicago. (Svo. cloth. Price $1.35.) This magnificent volume, giving a true picture of this great man's life, and coming from the pen of such an able writer and scholar as Dr. Gunsaulus fully deserves to become popular.

The most important work about Bismarck is undoubtedly Dr. Moritz Busch's great memoir entitled "Bismarck: Some Secret Pages of His History." (2 volumes 8vo. cloth. Price $9.00.) It is "the" book of the year and of international importance and significance. I gave an extensive review of this much discussed work in the October number, and may therefore consider it superfluous to go again into detail about it. Another interesting book on the great German statesman, giving an

"The Real Bismarck." By Jules Hoche. (Illustrated. Svo. cloth. Price $1.50.) Coming from the pen of a Frenchman adds no little to its interest and it must be said, that the author deals with him in an admirably impartial manner, while the clarity and chatty fluency, which distinguishes the style of French writers in general, make this volume at once enjoyable and interesting. Still another work on the same subject, which I do not wish to overlook, and the prime value of which is its unexcelled pictorial side, is: "Bismarck, Germany's Iron Chancellor." By Bruno Garlepp. Transiated from the German by Sidney Whitman. F. R. C. S. (4to. cloth. Profusely illustrated. Price $3.95.) It is a most beautiful gift book, a truly monumental publication,

Bismarck in the rôle of Siegfried. (From "The Real Bismarck," by Jules Hoche. R. F. Fenno & Co., Publishers.)

Next to Dr. Busch's great Bismarck's Memoir, the two volumes containing part of Bismarck's own reminiscences, which have just been published in German under the title 66 Gedanken und Erinnerungen;" (price $5.00) and in English under the title "Bismarck's Autobiography," claim general attention. Though the part, dealing with the time during the young emperor's reign, has as yet been withheld from publication, and though the two volumes published, may disappoint those who expect to find therein sensational disclosures, the work is one

of characteristic importance and historical value, as the utterance of one of the most powerful and successful statesmen of this century. These reminiscences and earnest reflections, with which he addresses for the last time the German people, are his literary heritage, and as such will be revered and taken to heart.

The picturesque figure of "Oom Paul" the venerable president of the Transvaal Republic, is the subject of an interesting volume by F. Reginald Statham, entitled "Paul Kruger and His Times." (8vo. cloth. Price $1.90. By mail $2.05.) It is the first authoritative account of the striking figure that has stood as the bulwark of his country's liberty at the southern extremity of the dark continent. It will doubtless be welcomed by all who are interested in South African politics, all the more as this far away country, small as it is in comparison to other powers,

has repeatedly concentrated the world's attention upon her struggle for independence, and may yet be destined to give cause to serious complications with England.

The early history of our country, which has so many phases of romantic interest, has of late, I am glad to say attracted many writers of fiction as well as of historical works. We certainly cannot have too many of such books. They stimulate patriotic sentiment, aside from offering healthy entertainment by virtue of their historic and romantic interest, the abundance of stirring incidents and adventures during the struggles with many foes on land and sea, the quaintness of manners and usages, and the internal struggles of people of various nationalities, during the process of the melting of the most heterogenous elements into one unity in the pursuit of common interests. Of the many interesting books, dealing with periods of early American history, I can here only mention a few, and must leave it for future issues to speak of others. An excellent series of "Stories from American Histories," has recently been started by the Macmillan Company; every one of these volumes, which are published in uniform style, well illustrated and bound in cloth (12mo. Price $1.08 each), bear the stamp of careful research and come from the pens of well-known American writers, whose names alone are a guarantee of worth and of an entertaining style which is bound to make them popular. The following three volumes have been published so far: "Bucca

"De

neers and Pirates of Our Coasts," by Frank R. Stockton. Illustrated by G. Varian and B. W. Clinedinst. Stories of the rise and decline of buccaneering and piracy on our coasts. "Tales of the Enchanted Isles of the Atlantic," by Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Illustrated by Albert Herter. Legends of marvellous western countries with which people of Europe were for centuries fed. Soto and His Men in the Land of Florida," by Grace King, author of New Orleans. Illustrated by George Gibbs. Based upon the Spanish account of the Armada which sailed westward under De Soto in 1538. All these volumes can be heartily recommended for home and school libraries, and will be read by everybody with pleasure and profit.

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Early colonial life is the subject of a number of excellent volumes, published by Lippincott, which, though brought out some time ago, deserve to be mentioned here and to be recalled to our readers' memory. They are Men, Women and Manners in Colonial Times," by Sidney George Fisher (2 volumes illustrated, 12mo. cloth in box. Price $1.90); "Through Colonial Doorways," by Anne Hollingsworth Wharton, and "Colonial Days and Dames," by the same author. (12mo. cloth. Price per volume 90 cents each.) Uniform with these is a charming set, published by the same house, entitled "Myths and Legends of our Own Land," by Charles M. Skinner. (2 volumes. 12mo. cloth, in box. Price $2.25.) A supplementary volume has just been published under the title "Myths and Legends Beyond Our Borders," em