The Ridpath Library of Universal Literature Volume 1; A Biographical and Bibliographical Summary of the World's Most Eminent Authors, Including the Choicest Extracts and Masterpieces from Their Writings, Comprising the Best Features of Many Celebrated Compilat (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 Excerpt: ...Little Women (1868), which was her first decided success; An Old-fashioned Girl (1869), Little Men (1871), Work (1873), Eight Cousins (1875), and its sequel, Rose in Bloom (1877), which, perhaps, rank first among her books; Under the Lilacs (1878), Jack and Jill, (1880), Spinning-wheel Stories (1884), Jo's Boys (1886), and Comic Tragedies (1893). Besides these she put forth at different times several volumes of short stories, among which are Cupid and Chow-chow, Silver Pitchers, and Aunt Joe's Scrap-bag. Speaking of the stories of Miss Alcott, Charles F. Richardson, in his American Literature, says: "Their fresh and staid spirit--for childhood is demure as well as frolicsome--make them acceptable to adults and children alike. Miss Alcott's wholesome young NewEngland girls and boys represent types, at least, which will remain, in fact and in fiction, long after her essentially ephemeral books are forgotten." MEG, JO, BETH, AND AMY. "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. "It's so dreadful to be poor," sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress. "I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and others nothing at all," added little Amy, with an injured sniff. "We've got father and mother'," said Beth, contentedly, from her corner. The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said, sadly: "We haven't got father, and shall not have him for a long time." She didn't say "perhaps never," but each silently added it, thinking of father far away, where the fighting was. Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said, in an altered tone: "You know the reason mother prop...