17 APRIL 1909, Page 25

A First Précis Rook. By G. A. F. M. Chatwin,

M.A. (E.

Arnold. 2s. Chatwin emphasises in his introduction the things which are necessary for a, satisfactory précis. Clear, Concise, giving all the essential, omitting all the superfluous, duly proportioned, original (i.e., not a canto of phrases taken from the original),—these are the chief requisites ; good writing and good spelling are supposed. Then we have two examples, one in prose, the other in verse ; possibly we might with advantage have had more,—a battle, for instance, might have been given. Descriptions of battles are hard to epitomise, probably because they are so hard to realise. Then follow a hundred passages for practice.