21 NOVEMBER 1896, Page 13

On the World's Roof. By J. Macdonald Oxley. (J. Nisbet

and Co.)—A Thibetan story of adventure is somewhat of a novelty, and our author is certain to have readers among the juveniles. It is, however, a little disappointing, and Mr. M. Oxley has missed his opportunity of making a really stirring fiction. The descrip- tions of scenery are excellent, and a reader could obtain a very fair idea of the nature of Thibet from them ; but the author is not quite at home in Thibet, and, indeed, acknowledges his indebtedness to two well-known books of travel. The difficulties that the Stannards meet with on their journey are not of the nature that appeal to youthful love of adventure, and we fancy the average boy would prefer robbers to rocks, and pirates to precipices. To encourage travel for travel's sake, nevertheless, is far better motive than pandering to a love of excitement. On the World's Roof, if not so good as the Canadian tales and " Baffling the Blockade," will open to moat boys an entirely new sphere of adventure.