Literary World.

'The three mothers are Naomi, Ruth, and Mary, the mother of our Lord. Their portraits are skilfully drawn, and all that relates to them is told in an instructive and pleasing manner.'

Brighton Gazette.

This is a most skilful and pleasing work of Scripture biography, evincing on the part of the writer great powers of description, comprehensiveness, and, above all, power to please. Under her facile pen the rigidity of the ancient chronicles assumes the warmth and vividness of real life. The incidents in the life of Naomi, the exquisite pastoral story of Ruth, and the history of the mother of our Lord, are detailed in a manner calculated to excite and sustain the interest of the reader. All the surroundings, so to speak, of the chief figures of the narrative are depicted with great clearness and artistic skill, and the leading features of ancient Jewish history are grouped so as to convey to the reader's mind a clear appreciation of the entire aspect of the times. Of this kind, it is one of the most charming works we have met with.’

Guardian.

It is a carefully drawn-up account of the scenery and topography of the place, and of the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and the blessed Virgin.'

Hampshire Advertiser.

'The authoress of "The Apostles of Jesus," a work which was favourably reviewed in our columns at the time of its publication, has now produced a book which is equally deserving of approbation. The three women of Scripture whom she has selected as the subject of her present literary effort, are Naomi, Ruth, and Mary, the two former of whom occupy a pre-eminent position in Old Testament history, and with Mary, the mother of our Lord, are happily included in a sort of trilogy, under the distinctive title of "Bethlehem's Three

Mothers," which the authoress has given them. She has narrated the leading events in their lives in clear and simple language, not forgetting to point the moral, so to speak, which their biographies supply. The customs of the country, and the circumstances of the times in which their several lots were cast, are also alluded to; so that the work altogether is a most instructive and edifying one, bringing vividly before the mind the characteristics of these three women, whose memories will be always cherished by Christians with devout veneration.'

Kent Herald.

'In very simple and yet pleasing language, Mrs. Clere has brought to bear on the very interesting subject she has chosen, much correct Biblical knowledge, sound criticism, and careful research. Few Bible stories are more touching than those of Naomi and Ruth, none more lovely than that of her whose end was more unknown than even that of Moses, but in whose immediate offspring alone was fulfilled the memorable prophecy of the blessedness of all the families of the earth. The stories of Naomi and Ruth wanted but little pains to put them into the form of direct narrative; but that of the Virgin Mary is much mixed with matter, which, harmonising with it as all that is in God's word does harmonise together in perfection, yet prevents it from being read in the Bible as a continuous history. Injuring nothing else, Mrs. Clere has separated it from contemporary history, and presented it to the reader as what it professes to be, the third story of one of those Mothers of Israel whose characters have always been special favourites with lovers of God's Word, who, from this most attractive little work will now probably understand them better than ever they did before. It is but just to say that the writer, while entirely admiring the Virgin Mary's very lovely character, falls into no error akin to that of Rome, and nowhere allows admiration and even respect, ever to take the direction of adoration, or to pass the bounds within which even respect for the mother of our Lord should

be restrained. The little volume is one which can only be read with pleasure and benefit.'

Coleraine Chronicle.

'We have no doubt this beautiful work will prove very acceptable to Christian mothers everywhere. As a gift-book to young women just entering into the realities and responsibilities of life, we know no book except the Bible, more valuable or appropriate.'

Daily Review.

'Mrs. Clere has been fortunate in selecting scenes of historic and sacred interest, in the graphic description of which she greatly excels. Her style is elegant and elaborate. She displays considerable power in recalling associated events to enhance the reader's interest in the scenes she describes She writes in a fervent and earnest spirit; and she invests the sacred story with a high degree of interest, especially to the young. We cordially recommend the volume.'

Evening Standard.

'This is a very correct and touching description of the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and the Virgin Mary (the three mothers), and the scenery and topography of "the soil they trod." It throws the clearness of a new light upon some obscurities in the career of Ruth, who becomes the more interesting to us as we contemplate her as the progenitress of David, and through David, of the Redeemer in the flesh.'

The Brighton Herald.

"The Three Mothers of Bethlehem" may be well studied by the future mothers of England. To such we commend this eloquently and earnestly written volume, as an admirable supplement of the volume whence the material has been so skilfully and truthfully drawn. The volume is such an one as may be well chosen by friends, teachers, and relatives, for

By the same Authoress.

KATHERINE GORDON.

SECOND EDITION.

Fcap. 8vo., on Toned Paper, Gilt Edges,
Price 2s. 6d.

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

Public Opinion.

"Katherine Gordon" is an exceedingly graceful and thoughtful story, full of pious thoughts and moral teaching. Mrs. Clere is no novice at literary work, and the subjects of her books, generally drawn from Biblical sources, are always well chosen. Her characters in the present little volume are described with great fidelity to life, and most of her incidents are pleasing, and cleverly introduced. . . . The language is charmingly simple, and the interest of the tale will be felt by young persons, but the teaching aims at elderly scholarsadults, rather than school children. It is essentially a religious story, and compared with similar productions, is meritorious.'

Christian Observer.

""Katherine Gordon " is a well-told tale, in which Sunday Excursion Trains play a conspicuous part. It is interesting

The Mothers Treasury.

'This well-written tale, by the gifted authoress of "Bethlehem's Three Mothers," draws the picture of one whose price is far above rubies. We think it cannot fail both to interest and to profit the reader; and very cordially do we recommend it.'

Church Bells.

'Young people will find an interesting tale, full of religious and moral purpose, in Mrs. Clere's "Katherine Gordon." The catastrophe is an accident to a Sunday Excursion Train. The characters of the heroine and hero are prettily drawn, and point their morals well.'

John Bull.

"Katherine Gordon" is a natural and instructive tale of

home life.'

Record.

'A story well told, with an excellent moral.'