Missionary work in British Columbia. =684. Straightforward.= By H. A. FORDE. (Church Extension Society) 1_s._ May be reckoned as properly a tale of adventure; but as it results in intercourse with the Papuans, it might serve well for a work party needing something of a story to keep up their attention. =685. Our Navvies.= By Mrs. GARNETT. (Hodder) 3_s._ 6_d._ An excellent book that should be read whenever it is desirable to interest people in navvy missions. =686. A Promise Kept.= (See No. 572.) [Illustration] [Illustration] IMPROVING BOOKS. Under this head are classed those on different countries, on history, biography, natural history, popular science, and real adventure. As has been said before, these are specially suited for prizes, as they will be read again in after life. For those intended for young people there will never be any great demand. In almost all lending libraries they stand still on their shelves with clean pages. We teach our children too much for them to be willing to learn for themselves. The appetite may come in after times, and sometimes may exist or be excited in some particular direction. In cases where young people are secluded from school by illness, it is desirable on all accounts that their mental fare should include something besides devotional books and fiction. To begin with, the use of maps and the reading lessons at school make scenes in different countries interesting, and perhaps the surest books to be appreciated as rewards are those giving pictures of costumes, &c. _ON DIFFERENT COUNTRIES._ =687. All the Russias.= By E. C. PHILLIPS. (Cassell) 2_s._ 6_d._ =688. Chats about Germany.= By M. BROWN. (Cassell) 2_s._ 6_d._ =689. Round Africa.= By E. C. BRUCE. (Cassell) 2_s._ 6_d._ =690. The Land of Temples.= By M. FIELD. (Cassell) 2_s._ 6_d._ =691. New Zealand.= By B. FRANCIS. (Cassell) 2_s._ 6_d._ =692. Glimpses of South America.= (Cassell) 2_s._ 6_d._ =693. A Ramble round France.= By J. CHESNEY. (Cassell) 2_s._ 6_d._ =694. The Land of the Pyramids.= By J. CHESNEY. (Cassell) 2_s._ 6_d._ =695. The Eastern Wonderland.= By B. C. ANGUS. (Cassell) 2_s._ 6_d._ =696. Peeps into China.= By E. C. PHILLIPS. (Cassell) 2_s._ 6_d._ These have ‘pictures’ to every other page, and are wonders of cheapness and really interesting writing. =697. In the Polar Regions.= (Nelson) 2_s._ 6_d._ =698. In the Temperate Regions.= (Nelson) 2_s._ 6_d._ =699. In the Tropical Regions.= (Nelson) 2_s._ 6_d._ All the above are compilations full of interesting descriptions and good illustrations. =700. Little Lucy’s Wonderful Globe.= By C. M. YONGE. (Macmillan) 4_s._ 6_d._ Sketches of child life in various lands, adapted to Frölich’s illustrations. Too dear for a prize, but children like it when lent to them. =701. Child Life in Chinese Homes.= By Mrs. BRYSON. (R.T.S.) 5_s._ =702. The Children of Africa.= (Hodder & Stoughton) 5_s._