16 AUGUST 1902, Page 22

The Branded Prince. By Weatherby Chesney. (Methuen and Co. 6s.)—The

second chapter of this book is headed "The Dissecting-Room at Barney's," so the intelligent reader will at once perceive that this novel also is of the thrilling order. We confess to being just a little tired of mysterious Indian gems, though these (there are a pair of them) are differently managed from most others. However, plus c'est diffirent, pins dut to mime chose, and we confess to wishing that magic jewels could have a "close time," like pheasants. Nevertheless, this is not a bad book to take on a holiday, when one wants a novel just to skim through and forget.