| PAGE | ||
| [Christmas at the North] | By Alfred Selwyn | [1] |
| [Pompey guarding Baby] | By Master John | [3] |
| [The Parrot feeding its Young] | By Uncle Charles | [4] |
| [Little Ruth's Prayer] | By Dora Burnside | [7] |
| [Pussy gets a Warning] | By Frank | [9] |
| ["Proud as a Peacock"] | By Anna Livingston | [10] |
| [Grandmother's Story] | By Jane Oliver | [12] |
| [Christmas at the South] | By Uncle Harry | [16] |
| [The Christmas Presents] | By D. | [18] |
| [The Proper Time] | By Emily Carter | [19] |
| [Our Dog Milo] | (From the German) | [20] |
| [The three Calves] | By A. B. C. | [23] |
| ["Why?"] | By the author of "Dick and I." | [25] |
| [The Old Year and the New] | [27] | |
| [A Morning Call] | By M. L. B. Branch | [28] |
| ["He did it first."] | By the author of "Dick and I." | [30] |
| [The Cats and the Mouse] | (Music by T. Crampton) | [32] |
EDITOR'S PORTFOLIO.
A happy New year to all friends and subscribers, old and young! They are sending us such an amount of encouragement, notwithstanding the hard times, that, instead of growing older the coming year, we think we shall grow younger. So do not fear, little ones, that we shall talk too learnedly for you yet awhile.
See the capital articles by the author of "Dick and I" in this number. They are written in words of one syllable, and are as witty as they are wise and good. Read them, and then hear your little ones read them.
We need not commend to lovers of art the fine original drawings in this number. That of "Christmas at the North," by Merrill, and that of "Christmas at the South." by Sheppard, of Richmond, are excellent. The drawing of the two dogs by Harrison Weir is also capital.
The little boys in all parts of the country, who have been asking us so urgently to give a picture of a train of cars, will be glad to learn that Mr. Merrill has drawn a capital one which will appear in our next number.
There is a great rush for The Nursery Primer. We can hardly get the books from the binder fast enough to supply the demand. It is no wonder; for no cheaper or better present for a child can be found.
The Easy Book and the The Beautiful Book are also in great demand for holiday Gifts.
Unaccepted articles will be returned to the writers if stamps are sent with them to pay return postage. Manuscripts not so accompanied will not be preserved, and subsequent requests for their return cannot be complied with.