This unassuming little book of reminiscences leaves a very pleasant
taste in the mouth. A number of city men, Lawyer, Doctor, Politician, Poet—joined sometimes by the Parish Minister—have a week-end retreat, where they assemble, and talk together :
" And so in the end we came to an agreement—we who smolt° of an evening within sight of Ben Lomond and the silver glimpse:, of the Forth—that not one of us shall ever keep a diary, but that we shall all be free to meander about as the tobacco moves us it, our memories. Our conversations, moreover, are to be musings without dates. Someone has said that life is merely a bit of eternity chained to a clock. Our musings are not to be chained to anything."
The programme is kept faithfully. Personalities wander in and out. Arthur Balfour characterizes the fox-trot as " a more or less pleasant walk more or less impeded by the other sex." Lord Curzon laments the passing of the feudal system. Bonar Law says, to a would-be Parliamentary candidate, " I am amazed to hear you, who know the seamy side of politics as well as any man, expressing any desire to enter the House of Commons." The anonymous - author of Greystones (Made- hose, 3.s. 6d.) knew personally four Archbishops of Canterbury. He saw the Kaiser clasp the King's hand over Edward VII's bier in Westminster Hall. He has no less keen an eye for little things " Why it should be so I cannot explain, but I have noticed that poets and artists often wear hats which you or I would toss to our dogs as playthings." A very pleasant, sterling little book, which we can recommend without reserve.
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