22 MARCH 1913, Page 31

Anecdotes of Bench and Bar. Collected and arranged by Arthur

H. Engelbach. With an Introduction by the Right Honourable F. E. Smith, K.C., M.P. (Grant Richards. 3s. 6d. net.)—As Mr. F. E. Smith observes in his introduction to this book, "Many of the stories are new, and some at least of them are excellent." At the same time, a large number are rather flat, and two or three should have been omitted on other grounds. We do not remember having heard this quotation from Lord Eskgrove, when he was on one occasion passing a death sentence : "And not only did you.murder him, whereby he was bereaved of his life, but

you did thrust, or push, or pierce, or project, or propel the lethal weapon through the belly-band of his regimental breeches, which were the property of his Majesty."