The Seven Wise Scholars. By Ascott R. Hope. (Mackie and
Sons.) —Dr. Archibald Didaskalos has a select academy, where he teaches seven very select young gentlemen. The seven, when reassembled after the Christmas holidays, are invited by the Doctor to repeat their holiday task. Select as they are, they find the request incon- venient; and following the established precedent, postpone the evil
hour by telling each in his turn a story. The Doctor listens,
apparently deluded by the device, but, when the hour of recreation arrives, sets them to write out what they have told. The stories are all as amusing as one would expect Mr. Ascott Hope's work to be.
The first is the familiar tale of the necromancer's apprentice, and the fatal spell which ho has learnt to pronounce but not to undo. "The Sick Sultan and the Smart Physician" is also an old friend with a new face. "The Rightful Heir" and "Upside Downdom " may be mentioned as specially amusing —Youngster's Yarns, by the same author (Routledge and Sons), was, if we remember right, noticed last year. It has a familiar look, especially the first story, that of the youthful adventures of Henri Conscience. But it is difficult to remember what is new and old. Mr. Hope's stories are genuine adventures that have actually happened.
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