A Book for the Hammock. By W. Clark Russell. (Chatto
and WincIns.)—Here we have a collection of twenty-two essays and papers contributed by the author at various times to newspapers and periodicals. Mr. Clark Russell's fact is as good as his fiction, and more it would not be easy to say. He ranges over a very wide field. His first paper is a "Nautical Lament," the subject being the lamentable diminution of romance in naval affairs. Yet doubtless the author, if he wore minded, could give us no inconsiderable proofs that there is some of the old stuff left. " The buccaneer lets made his exit, and so has his fierce brother the pirate." Yet now and then strange tales of piracy tarn up ; the Chinese certainly, perhaps in a poor sort of way, but still, with sufficient bloodthirstiness, keep op the tradition. Tho second paper is on " Superstitions of the Sea," and makes some good reading. With this may be mentioned "Queer Fish" and " Strange Craft." The last is " Who is Vanderdecken ?" the name, it will be remembered, of the " Flying Dutchman." No
better book could be found for lightening "the tedium of a sleepless half-hour in the bunk or hammock," or relieving "the dullness of a spell of quarter-deck lounging." And what is good at sea will also be found good on land.
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