Since the days of Æsop's Fables and Reynard the Fox, there has always been an interest in stories which endow animals with speech and other human faculties.
The Boys are two malicious mice, who disobey their mother, ill-treat their red-haired sister, are avaricious and mean. The sister is the amiable centre of the tale. She flees from the cruelty of her brothers, and has many adventures, chief of which are a visit to a Boston Music Hall concert, in a basket of flowers, and a ride in a carriage-pocket.
A second perusal has increased my liking for the book, and the pictures are graphic. Under the pen-name of Ariel (at first given to the authoress without her knowledge) is concealed a Boston lady of thoughtful refinement, and generous hospitality to friends and ideas, who has won some fame as the correspondent of several journals. Her portrayals are from real life; and between the lines of mice, one may read girls and boys. Ariel should attach her bright wings to a grownup novel.
This edition is published by Ginn & Co, who have shown good judgment in buying the plates.
