University of Virginia Library

“A most engaging and admirable work, compiled after a very singular idea,
by the tasteful and talented Mrs. Gilman of South Carolina. It is a playfully-contrived
series of chance answers to questions, suitable for amusement round
an evening table. We close our long extracts with a renewed expression of
our admiration at the taste of the compiler, and the ingenuity with which it
was originally contrived. The getting up of the book should not be forgotten.
It is in the shape of an annual, and the best of gift books.”

“The gifted Mrs. Gilman has hit upon an ingenious amusement, which she
conveys in this volume with characteristic taste. It is made up of selections from
English and American poets, descriptive of person or character, and classified,
so as to form answers to a leading question at the head of each division. As
`diversion for the drawing room,' the plan cannot fall to please the young, or
those who would feel young. The book is handsomely printed and bound,
and is a suitable ornament for a centre-table.”

“This is a beautiful volume, elegantly printed, bound, and embellished, and
has been compiled by Mrs. Caroline Gilman. It was intended originally for
the family circle of the author, being destined as well to amuse as to instruct.
It consists in a series of chance answers to questions, suitable for amusement
round an evening table. We predict for the work an unexampled success,
which its pleasing merits eminently entitle it to.”

“This very pretty and pleasant volume is designed to be used as a fortuneteller,
or a round game for forfeits, or examined as a treasure-house for the
thoughts of poets on particular subjects, from Chaucer down to the minor poets
of our own time and country. Questions are propounded; as, `What is the
character of him who loves you?' `What is your destiny?' and a hundred
others, and answers given from the poets, which are numbered. The literature
of the volume is of the highest order, and the most exquisite descriptions and
sentiments are contained in the answers. It is, altogether, an elegant book,
suitable for a Christmas or New-Year's present to one's `lady-love.”'

“This book, though partaking in no wise of a religious character, may be
regarded as an agreeable contribution, not only to the literature of the day, but
to the cause of human improvement. Some amusement is absolutely necessary;
and he who contrives one that is at once unexceptionable in its moral
tendency, and at the same time fitted to quicken the intellect or refine the
taste, is to be regarded as a public benefactor. Such we consider to be the
character of this book. It consists of various exquisite selections from the
most popular of the poets, arranged as answers to certain questions, such as
a youthful fancy might naturally enough suggest. The plan is new and ingenious
and both the literary and mechanical execution beautiful.”

“Here are various questions supposed to be asked by an individual concerning
his own fortune, and all the gifted poets, not only on the earth, but in the
earth, including those who inhabit the `Poets' Corner' in Westminster Abbey,
are put in requisition to answer them. While the book offers a pleasant
amusement to the young, it is full of bright and beautiful things, arranged with
exquisite skill, which render it a welcome offering to a cultivated taste. It is
withal decorated with every grace and charm that mechanical skill and labor
could bestow upon it.”