The ‘Web Ismene Wove,’ the third tale in this book, is exceedingly beautiful, and is an excellent reading near Passiontide. It is the story of a Greek girl at Jerusalem, who longs to make something to be used in the service of the God of Israel. The white web she weaves comes to be sold in haste to Joseph of Arimathæa, and thus her longing is fulfilled. The second tale is harmless, being of the mother of Ahaz, and how she spoilt her son; but the first would hardly be given or read aloud by those who would shrink from the strong assertion that SS. James, Jude, and Joses were sons of the Blessed Virgin. =652. The Man on the Top of the Ark, and other Gospel Parables.= By ALEXANDER MACLEOD SYMINGTON. (Nisbet) 1_s._ If at the end of the first parable the reader inserts the text, ‘The like figure whereunto even Baptism doth now save us,’ the teaching is complete. The application of the Brazen Serpent and the City of Refuge is also excellent. They are the Biblical history dramatised, as it were. (See No. 353.) =653. Catharine and Crawfurd Tait.= (Macmillan) 2_s._ 6_d._ and 6_s._ If the reader can command her voice to get through it, the history of Mrs. Tait’s successive bereavements will be listened to with intense interest. =654. Mrs. Gaskell’s Tales.= In 7 vols. (Smith, Elder, & Co.) 2_s._ 6_d._ and 3_s._ 6_d._ each. =655. Libbie Marsh’s Three Eras.= St. Valentine’s day. Story of a factory girl and a cripple. =656. The Sexton’s Story.= An heroic act of self-sacrifice. =657. Christmas Storms and Sunshine.= A quarrel made up over a baby. These three admirable stories are bound up with others less useful in collected editions of Mrs. Gaskell’s Tales, and are not to be had separately. =658.= In =Mary Barton=, by Mrs. GASKELL (Smith, Elder, & Co.) (see No. 551), Job’s description of the two old men’s journey by the coach with the baby cannot fail to enchant the women. [Illustration] [Illustration] FOR MISSIONARY WORKING-PARTIES. These are of such very different composition that all that can be done here is to suggest books bearing on varieties of Mission labour at home and abroad, such as may interest either cultivated ladies, middle-class women, or very young people. =659. Home Workers for Foreign Missions.= By E. J. WHATELY. (R.T.S.) 1_s._ 6_d._ A remarkably sensible, clever book. Should be read by all beginning a working-party, to show them what to do and what not to do. =660. Black and White.= By H. FORDE. (S.P.C.K.) 3_s._ 6_d._ Short sketches of home and foreign missions admirably _sandwiched_ together. =661. Pioneers and Founders.= By C. M. YONGE. (Macmillan) 6_s._ Brief biographies of English and American missionaries. =662. Life of Henrietta Robertson.= By ANNE MACKENZIE. (Bell) 3_s._ 6_d._ A record of devoted labours in the earlier days of the Zulu mission. =663. The Story of a Fellow-Soldier.= By FRANCES AWDRY. (Macmillan) 2_s._ 6_d._ A short life of Bishop Patteson.