No. 109. JANUARY, 1876. Vol. XIX.

BOSTON: JOHN L. SHOREY, 36 BROMFIELD STREET. American News Co., 119 Nassau St., New York. New-England News Co., 41 Court St., Boston. Central News Co., Philadelphia. Western News Co., Chicago.

$1.60 a Year, in advance. A single copy, 15 cents.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by John L. Shorey, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

CONTENTS OF NUMBER ONE HUNDRED AND NINE.

PAGE

Christmas at the NorthBy Alfred Selwyn1

Pompey guarding BabyBy Master John3

The Parrot feeding its YoungBy Uncle Charles4

Little Ruth's PrayerBy Dora Burnside7

Pussy gets a WarningBy Frank9

"Proud as a Peacock"By Anna Livingston10

Grandmother's StoryBy Jane Oliver12

Christmas at the SouthBy Uncle Harry16

The Christmas PresentsBy D.18

The Proper TimeBy Emily Carter19

Our Dog Milo(From the German)20

The three CalvesBy A. B. C.23

"Why?"By the author of "Dick and I."25

The Old Year and the New 27

A Morning CallBy M. L. B. Branch28

"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.

☞We want a special agent in every town in the United States. Persons disposed to act in that capacity, are invited to communicate with the publisher.