In and about Bohemia. By C. J. Wills. (Griffith, Ferran,
and Co.)—These "forty-one short stories " have appeared, we are told, for the most part, in various newspapers. Mr. Wills has an object—apart from amusing his readers—that the "general reader" may "rise from the perusal of this book with the convic- tion that, to put it mildly, the Devil isn't half so black as he is painted." There is no need to criticise work of this kind ! There are signs now and then of hasty writing. Why "illiterate, but bold eyed" ? We do not see the force of the contrast ; but the stories are eminently readable, and always written in a kindly humour. " The Lemon Trick " is one of the most amusing. Let us hope that no misguided young reader will try it for himself. We cannot help thinking that we have seen " Felony and Friendship " told in a different way. Is this one of the two which Mr. Wills tells us he adapted from the French ?
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