Stories of Everyday Life in Modern China. By T. Watters.
(D. Nutt.)—There is a very decided Chinese flavour about these interesting but long-winded stories told by Chinese to Mr. Watters. To us the most interesting are the two concerning Chinese official life, " The Autobiography of a Mandarin " and " The Fate of the Wicked Mandarin." The hero of the first story, the son of a peasant, works his way into preferment by qualifying as a first-class graduate, becomes a Governor, and does his duty,—his is a thoroughly satisfactory tale, not with- out its pathos, and having those characteristic philosophical reflections and references to the story-teller's religious beliefs that are essentially Chinese. "The Wicked Mandarin" is the corrupt official whom we are afraid most of us will recognise much more easily. The other stories are interesting, giving insight into many phases of Chinese life. The book is worth
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