18 FEBRUARY 1899, Page 26

The "Perverse Widow." Compiled by Arthur W. Crawley- Boevey, M.A.

(Longmans and Co. 42s. net.)—This is an elaborate genealogical study, which touches on literature in the fact that the subject of it is the lady who is supposed to have been the original of the "Perverse Widow" in the Spectator. The family came from the Low Countries, and have an interesting history. The widow, who was really "Catharine, wife of William Boevey, Esq.," was a person of strong individuality.