More " Bab " Ballads. By W. S. Gilbert. (Routledge.)—The

author describes his work as "much sound and little sense." The "much sound "is there, for Mr. Gilbert is curiously skilful in managing his verse, which flows on in the easiest and smoothest way that can be imagined ; and as for the "little sense," he gives us what is far bettor, plenty of nonsense of the best sort. Instead of attempting criticism, which is indeed quite out of the question, we shall give a specimen of Mr. Gilbert's work, the end of the pathetic tale of "Master William," who commits the indiscretion of forging a will. Gaol does not agree with him :-

"And sympathetic gaolers would remark, 'It's very true, He ain't been brought up common, like the likes of me and you.'

So they took him into hospital, and gave him mutton chops, And chocolate. and arrowroot, and buns, and malt and hops.

" Kind clergymen, besides, grew interested in his fate, Affected by the details of his pitiable state.

They waited on the Secretary, somewhere inWhitehall, Who said he would receive them any day they liked to call.

Consider, Sir, the hardships of this interesting case,—

A prison life brings with it something very like disgrace;

It's telling on young WiLitim. who's reduced to skin and bone,—

Remember he's a gentleman, with money of his own.

'"He had an ample income, and of course he stands in need Of sherry with his dinner and his customary weed ;

No delicacies now can pass his gentlemanly Ups,—

He misses his sea-bathing and his Continental trips.

"Re says the other prisoners are common-place and rude ; He says he cannot relish uncongenial prison food.

When quite a boy they taught him to distinguish good from bad, And other educational advantages he's had.

'A burglar or garotter, or, indeed, a common thief,

Is very glad to fatten on potatos and on beef.—

On anything, in short, that prison kitchens can afford, A out above the diet in a common workhouse ward.

"Bat beef and mutton-broth don't seem to suit our William's whim,— A boon to other prisoners,—a punishment to him.

It never was intended that the discipline of gaol

Should dash a convict's spirits, Sir, or make him thin and pale.'

"Good gracious me!' that sympathetic Secretary cried,

'Suppose in prison fetters MISTER WILLIAM should have died !

Dear me, of course! Imprisonment for We his sentence saith: I'm very glad you mentioned it, it might have been for Death.

" • Release him with a ticket,—he'll be better then, no doubt,

And tell him I apologise.' So MISTER WILLIAlIs' out ;

I hope he will be careful in his manuscripts, I am sure,

And not begin experimentalising any more."