20 NOVEMBER 1886, Page 21

Modern Anecdotes. Edited, with Notes, by W. Davenport Adams. (Hamilton

and Adams.)—The editor claims for his collection that it is modern. " They do not, for the most part, go farther back than Walpole's ' Letters,' and they come down as far as the later reminiscences, such as those of Crabb Robinson and J. R. Planch3." And he also claims that it is " authentic." Another characteristic of the book is its classification. This, of course, is not new. Of its other merits we do not pretend to judge; but we may say that, dipping into it, we have found it fresh as well as entertaining, and possessing the notable merit of giving authorities.