12 OCTOBER 1889, Page 21

Jonathan and his Continent. By Max O'Rell and Jack Allyn.

Translated by Madame Paul Blouet. (Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.)—" Max O'Rell " is a witty and wideawake Frenchman, very much alive to his own interests. His book, presumably written in French, is translated by his wife (thereby keeping all the profit in the family) ; and in order, as he hoped, to secure the American copyright for his book, "Max O'Rell " enlisted the ser- vices (as collaborator) of the American gentleman whose name appears on the title-page. But this was too transparent a device to impose on Jonathan, and the work had hardly been out a week before the whole of it was coolly pirated by a smart American paper. A book written jointly by a citizen and a foreigner can be copyrighted in the United States; but in the event of their right being disputed, the authors must be able to prove that the American did a substantial share of the work. In the present instance, however, the proof would be exceedingly difficult. If the book were originally written in the American language, why is it called a translation, and where does "Jack Allyn" come in ? He is mentioned only on the title-page, and "Max O'Rell" speaks always in the first person, and talks about nobody but himself,— except when he tells an anecdote. It is, of course, conceivable that Mr. Allyn is the author of the anecdotes ; and you can no more copyright an anecdote than you can patent a joke, even when they are new,—and most of "Max O'Rell's " are not new. His very first : "The population of America is about sixty millions —mostly Colonels," must be nearly as old as himself. Neverthe- less, "Max O'Rell " is amusing even when he is most serious, and he can enjoy a pleasantry though he is himself its object. He mentions that a reporter by whom he was interviewed on his arrival at New York, described him (and no description could be more apt) as a "globular Frenchman." One of the things "Max O'Rell " found out in America was that Jona- than does not love John Bull. He also discovered the reason why. Jonathan has forgotten that the English were once his oppressors ; he has forgiven them for siding with the slave-owners during the Civil War; but he cannot forgive them for coming to his dinner-table in tweed suits ! Americans sympathise with the Irish demand for Home-rule, because they hope that if they get it, the Irish now in America will Me them back to their own country. This is also a "chestnut," as Americans call old jokes ; but a joke may have done duty before, and still be worth repeating, like the following :—" A paper having announced, under the head- ing, 'John K. gone to a better home,' the widow brought an action for libel against the editor." "Max O'Rell " praises highly, yet no less highly than it deserves, the gift for narration with which many Americans are endowed, and their keen sense of humour. Their similes are often striking and original, their fluency remark- able, and there is no pleasanter companion in the world than an American gentleman,—unless it be an American lady. So long as "Max O'Rell" gives us his impressions and tells anecdotes—whether new or old does not much matter—he is very entertaining ; but when he tries to be serious, and makes sweeping deductions, he is neither entertaining nor instructive ; as, for instance, when he compares the judicial systems of England and the United States to the disadvantage of the former. The administration of justice in most of the States, especially in the larger cities, leaves much to be desired. Has "Max O'Rell " never heard of the reign of Boss Tweed in New York, or of the vast and maleficent power now wielded by Boss Buckley in San Francisco, of "selecting" jurymen and " pigeon-holing" indictments? More- over, when Judges, district attorneys, and other functionaries owe their places to ring politicians, and as a condition of their election are compelled to contribute largely to the funds of their party, their impartiality, if not their integrity, must always be open to doubt ; and a Judge, like CEOSST'S wife, should be above suspicion. But, on the whole, "Max O'Rell " seems to prefer the United Kingdom to the United States, and even to his own country. "No one doubts," he says, "that England is the freest country on earth, not even our staunchest French Republicans.

If you would enjoy perfect freedom, live in England." We quite agree with "Max O'Rell."