Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1896 — A Book for Christmas. [ARTICLE]

A Book for Christmas.

The Christmas number of Demorest’s Magazine presents a table of contents attractively suggestive of Christmas cheer, apd a glance hrough the pages shows a profusion of pictures appr seriate to the season and i ttractive enough to please at any time. The number opens with sketches of the Holy Land, very# appropriated calle d “The Cradle of Christianity,' ’ written by Dr. Thomas P Hughes, who has long been a Btu'ent of that region, and writes from the observer’s poi ,t of view. New end beautiful pictures are giv.-n, fully illustrating the article and making it a fine feature for a Christmas publication. charmingly written by Mary Annable Fanton, describes the quaint old southern darkey in the Christmas atmosphere, which brought out all his best qualities ana dtveloped his queer superstitions end customs. Howard Helmick furnishes five lull-page illnstrations for the article which shows his nice appreciation of the negro oharaoter, and the other illustra* tions are not less interesting aud characteristic. Under the title of “A Poet of Many Friends,” Edwin “ Martin gives a short sketch of Eugene Field, in which he dwells partiouularly upon Field’s personal obar* acteristics and his warm friendships with men and children. Six attractive pictures illustrate the text. Among the other illustrated articles are: a lively description of winter fishing through the ice, by /. Herbert Welch;a ehort account of the great emotional actress, Elea»ora Duse, by Arthur Hornblow; and an interesting symposi nm of comments upon “Christmas Customs in Several Lands,” by prominent people who know them from personal experience. ‘‘Dea 1 con Simpson’s Trip,” by Kate Erskinel, is a charmirg contribution to the fiction of the number, and “The Fatal Knot-hole,’, the story in “Our Girl’s” department, has a touch of pathos that will appeal to every one. The departments are good as usual, and contain useful suggestions for Christmas presents, for the furnishing of the dining-room, and other practieal matters pertaining to dress, fashion, health, and the household.