Irving, Washington.
Old Christmas.
Illustrated by Randolph Caldecott.
Macmillan. 1.50
No one could be better fitted to depict the old customs of an English Christmas than Mr. Caldecott, and his pictures are a perfect accompaniment to this portion of Washington Irving's Sketch Book.
A man might then behold
At Christmas, in each hall
Good fires to curb the cold,
And meat for great and small.
The neighbors were friendly bidden,
And all had welcome true,
The poor from the gates were not chidden,
When this old cap was new.
Old Song.
Irving, Washington.
Rip Van Winkle, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Illustrated by G. H. Boughton.
Macmillan. 1.50
Irving's two most popular sketches, in which young people delight.
The spirits of this region must have met Washington Irving more than half way, and the rest was like play to him. How real and living are all the people of his fancy! Of all the author's work--serious and humorous ... Rip Van Winkle took the most immediate and lasting grip of his public.