THE "FAMILY FRIEND."

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 299, 17 December 1889, Page 6

THE "FAMILY FRIEND."

MONSTER CHRISTMAS ISSUE.

The near approach of the festive season is heralded by the publication of the Christmas Number of the Family Friend, and ib may safely be averred that the offorts pub forward by the proprietary of this popular weekly budget have been attended with merited success. It consists of nearly onehundredcolumnsofseasonableillustrated reading matter, in which great care is evidenced in the selection. Among the literary pabulum will be found a number of Christmas stories for young and old of both sexe3, an acting charado in four scenes entitled "Mistletoe," Christmas games, jokes, nuts to crack, conundrums, items for the little ones, and general hints to housekeepers, with some first-class recipes, etc., to say nothing of the usual serial stories. But the feature of this monster Christmas issue of the "Family Friend" is undoubtedly the profuse number of illustrations with which it is embellished. Prominent amongst these may be mentioned "A Token of Love," "A Merry Christmas, Grandma," "The Nativity," "Out of the Frying-pan into the Fire," " A Chapter of Accidents," "Mixing , the Christmas Pudding," "Oh I Feel so Sleepy," "Aurora," " That's Missu s, Picture," "The Christmas Tree," " The Disobedient Doll,' , " Glory to God in the Highest," " Good Cheer," " Our Christmas Tree," etc. These illustrations are not only beautifully drawn and executed, bub are particularly suitable for the season of the year. Their artistic excellence is certain, and the whole production forms the best series of illustrations that has ever emanated from the colonial press. Notwithstanding the fact that this monster issue has entailed considerable expense, it is published at the nominal price of threepence, which should undoubtedly bring ib within the range of all readers. ' The large editions printed last year were very quickly exhausted, and therefore, to prevent any possibility of disappointment, ordore for copies should bo sent in to the publisher at once. The issue is now on sale, and may be obtained from all booksellers, news agents, and lannere.