19 DECEMBER 1896, Page 23

The Boy Tramps. By J. Macdonald Oxley. (W. and R.

Chambers.)—The two heroes of this tale conceive the somewhat original idea of tramping across Canada, but, needless to say, it is confined strictly to the settled parts. There is plenty of in- cident, indeed, the author takes care that when the boys are anywhere near a precipice or water, one or other of the two runs a considerable risk. This is as it should be, but these little escapes are occasionally a little too obvious. But such adven- tures as the " timber-slide " and the canoe experience, are really exciting, and the interest is throughout well kept up. The various districts and peoples and habits are well described. The visit to the Papineau château is an interesting feature of the narrative. Mr. M. Orley's cricket is a little weak ; the scoring is peculiar, and it is not usual to speak of a "long drive to leg."