"St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 2, December, 1877" by Various is a collection of children's literature and stories written during the late 19th century. The publication includes poems, articles, and tales aimed at educating and entertaining young readers, with a focus on morality and adventure. The contributions feature a mix of poetry and prose, showcasing notable authors of the time. The opening portion introduces several stories, starting with "The Three Kings" by Henry W. Longfellow, which narrates the journey of the Wise Men guided by a star to find the newborn king. The poetic retelling of this famous biblical account evokes a sense of wonder and explores themes of prophecy and reverence. Following this, the text provides a brief biographical piece on Theodore Winthrop, a young officer who died in the Civil War, hinting at his adventurous spirit through a fragment of his work, "Steers Flotsam." Other tales include whimsical adventures and moral lessons, appealing to children’s imaginations and instilling values such as kindness and courage. The introduction sets the tone for a lively and instructive collection that speaks to the era's youth. (This is an automatically generated summary.)