Weary, hardworked women thoroughly enjoy a bit of interesting reading, whether pathetic or droll. Foreign tales or those of adventure do not, as a rule, interest them, and the old-fashioned book, where a preternaturally wise dame instructs her neighbours is too much a lecture in disguise. By all means, let there be some religious reading, then if possible some on sanitary habits, domestic economy and management of children, but not under the disguise of a story. A good, genuine fiction gives them a real interest and something to talk of. It should not appear to be a child’s book or they will feel insulted, but they like nothing better than when the joys or sorrows turn on an infant; and there is no better mode of conveying indirect lessons—to some persons, that is to say, for there are others who have no notion of applying what they hear to real life. Still, wholesome amusement is a thing of which they get all too little, and the pleasure of being read to is one they thoroughly appreciate. Of course these books are specially fitted for lending to old or young. They are only classed under the category of books for Mothers’ Meetings because eminently fitted for that purpose as well as for Lending Library shelves. _FICTION._ =590. A Dog’s Mission.= By Mrs. BEECHER STOWE. (Nelson) 1_s._ 6_d._ A family reconciliation. =591. The Story of the Lost Emerald.= By EMMA MARSHALL. (Nelson) 1_s._ The loss of an old maid’s much-valued jewel at a fire rouses her to think of higher things. =592. Pamela’s Bequest.= By Mrs. SANDFORD. (Walter Smith) 2_s._ 6_d._ The bequest is a delicate child, left by a dying mother to a kindly little formal dressmaker while the father is at sea. The complications on his return are most effective. When he makes a blundering offer and gets refused, a listening woman has been known to rap the table in an ecstasy of enjoyment. =593. Afloat.= By Mrs. STANLEY LEATHES. (John F. Shaw) 3_s._ 6_d._ A family bereaved for a time of a little girl sent adrift in a boat by an idiot. It excites great interest. =594. Burnt Out.= By C. M. YONGE. (Walter Smith) 2_s._ 6_d._ On the demoralising effects of going about with a petition. =595. Aunt Kezia’s Will.= By S. M. SITWELL. (S.P.C.K.) 1_s._ 6_d._ A family quarrel pacified through the love and interest excited by a blind child. =596. Laddie.= (Walter Smith) 1_s._ A most touching story of an old peasant woman’s journey to London to see her son, who has risen to eminence as a doctor. =597. Short Stories for Mothers’ Meetings.= By FLORENCE WILFORD. (Masters) 2_s._ Well-written stories, especially fitted for those meetings where the attendance is too irregular for continuous reading to be advisable. =598. Tales for Mission Rooms.= (S.P.C.K.) 2_s._ The first of these is a capital lesson on gossip; the second has a very touching portrait in it. =599. Meg’s Mistake.= By Mrs. O’REILLY. (Strahan)