10 JANUARY 1931, Page 27

Essays and Observations. By Lord Hewart of Bury—Lord Chief Justice

of England. (Cassell, 12s. 6d.) This volume is exempt from serious criticism on the ground that it is published at the request of friends. Indeed, in the more carefully written essays on legal and literary subjects the author's wit and learning leave nothing to criticize. Perhaps, however, it is fair to mention that the casual reader will be a little dis- appointed by the repetition of stories or particular figures of speech in the considerable number of " After Dinner " and other speeches which are here reprinted.

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