The Emperor's Englishman. By Fred Whishaw. (Hutchinson and Co.)—The Englishman
who takes service with the Tsarevitch Paul at Gatchina, and does his best to defend his master against the plots of Catherine's Court, is sure to attract boys. Of course, the hero is endued with a wonderful propensity for fire-eating, and is a consummate swordsman,—the two must go together; but none the less our hero shows just those attributes which we like our heroes to have,—a single-minded devotion to duty, great courage and spirits, and a never-failing presence of mind. The portrait of the unfortunate Tsar, with his mania for drilling and his violent attempts to reform his people after Catherine's reign, is certainly a striking one ; and his coronation of his father's bones and the compulsory attendance of Orloff at that ceremony and at their reburial provides a remarkable scene. This is a most excel- lent historical tale, and deserves, moreover, to be a favourite with boys.
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