DAYS AND WAYS OF AN OLD BOHEMIAN.* Tits is a
very amusing account of a rolling-stone who has contrived in his lifetime to gather a great deal of moss. His London life began in 1875 and continues to this day, interrupted by such diverse experiences as theatrical tours in America, and the East and a period of service with the Rhine Army. It is crammed with good stories, one of which relates to a periodical called The Hobby-Horse, which was published in the 'nineties
and was decidedly what in these days would be called " high- brow" " It was said that Gladstone, having read a copy, was so Pleased with it that he sent a contribution to the editor, notifying that ho expected no remuneration, and that it was returned to him (perhaps accidentally) with a stereotyped form, used for returning rejected MSS. to ordinary would-be contributors, to the effect that the editor returned Mr. Gladstone's contribution regretting that it was not up to the literary standard of the Mors" Another journalistic story is about the author finding a careless office-boy for once using an envelope damper instead of licking the flaps. He congratulated him on his carefulness, and the bey replied : " Alt, sir, you never knows what them story writers puts on their gum when they think it will be licked by the editor when he is returning the story."
Mr. Fitzroy Gardner was for many years manager to Beerbohm Tree and gives an interesting study of his chief, showing hint as a very sympathetic figure. Tree's jokes in recital • Dssf and Ways of an Old Doknoan, yv riuxov enxdncr. London: Sean Murray. Ms. net.] are not always as amusing as they obviously were at the time, but his comment on the bombastio inscription on the tombstone of a nouveau riche member of the theatrical profession has a certain grim humour. " Tree road the inscription, examined the monument and turned away, remarking sadly to himself, ' Vulgar, even in death.' "
Readers who like good-tempered and amusing Bohemian reminiscences will be thoroughly pleased with this book.
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