20 NOVEMBER 1897, Page 9

Cassell's Saturday Journal. (Cassell and Co.)—We have, as usual, an

abundant feast of good things in the Saturday Journal. The serious and the humorous, fact and fiction, common things and things uncommorv—we see a special invitation to readers to contribute strange experiences—are mingled together with a very satisfying result. It would not be easy, we imagine, to get such a quid pro quo as this massive volume for its very moderate price. The " interviews " are, of course, a prominent feature. One with Mr. Spencer Walpole (of the Post Office) heads the list. It is a pity that the editor could not get Mr. Henniker Heaton to

undertake this task. A faithful report of a conversation between these two would be very interesting reading. The fact is that the Post Office officials—not the people at headquarters but the locals—forget that their raison d'itre is to serve the public by doing their best to deliver letters and telegrams. Sir Allen Sarle gives some reasons why trains are unpunctual. Luggage at intermediate stations, bicycles, milk, duplication of trains, are among the causes mentioned. Interviews con- ducted on these lines, whore not the personality of the interviewed, but the work with which he is conversant, is the topic, are wholly praiseworthy. Among the specially interesting articles is one that asks, and in a sense answers, the question, "Is Expert Evidence Trustworthy ? " It concludes with the suggestions of official experts. " Have we not officials enough ? " asks the writer. Possibly; but the scandal of the present system would reconcile us to an increase.