15 OCTOBER 1892, Page 23

away to sea. It is, however, obviously impossible for the

writers of story-books to accept this statement. To have so important a part of their stock-in-trade removed would be quite ruinous. Too much of "Steady Your Helm ! " is occupied with the circumstances which made the two heroes run away; a third part of the book is used up before they are fairly launched on their career. When

this point is reached, the story improves, and continues to be of average merit until the end, The discovery of the missing uncle and his will is not, perhaps, in the finest style of art ; and the names "Captain Buntline" and "Dr. Lashem " (it is needless to say, a schoolmaster), are of a kind which is very properly becoming obsolete.