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A Christmas Cake in Four Quarters
“More Children’s Books.” The Pall Mall Gazette, London. 8 Dec. 1871
“More Children’s Books.” The Pall Mall Gazette, London. 8 Dec. 1871
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Transcription of relevant section of “More Children’s Books.” The Pall Mall Gazette, London. 8 Dec. 1871: par. 2.
“Lady Barker’s success as the writer of “Station Life in New Zealand” has no doubt induced her of late to try her hand frequently at the craft of author. She has a pleasant style, some sense of humour and of the picturesque, great skill in describing what she has seen, a large store of information, and a ready pen. What wonder then that she should make frequent use of these gifts? Two of Lady Barker’s volumes are on our table, “Travelling About over New and Old Ground” (Routledge and Sons) and “A Christmas Cake in Four Quarters” (Macmillan and Co). In “Travelling About” the author, by the help of well-known books, from which she has skilfully extracted the cream, and by the help in one or two instances of personal knowledge, has produced for young people “an abstract and brief chronicle of some chapters of modern travel.” Here, for instance, the sad story is retold of “Wills’ Exploration of Australia,” here the best recent works of African travel are laid under contribution; Lord Milton’s and Dr. Cheadle’s fascinating account of “The North-West Passage by Land” is recapitulated, so also is “Head’s Story of the Pampas,” so also is Mr. Hinchcliff’s “Experience in South America.” Indeed, the writer carries her readers with her to every quarter of the globe, and, whether they be young or old, it would be difficult to make this grand tour with a pleasanter companion. Such a book, as instructive as it is entertaining, is well fitted for a Christmas present to an intelligent boy or girl who has knowledge enough to appreciate the gift. Upon young or dull children it would be thrown away. Lady Barker’s other venture, “A Christmas Cake in Four Quarters,” is extremely entertaining, and contains stories about Christmas-day in England, in Jamaica, in India, and in New Zealand. We may add for the information of the children that the book opens, as is fitting, with a ghost story."