22 SEPTEMBER 1928, Page 32

The reader will find himself grateful for Savage's well-known cocktail

of verse ending "No tenth transmitter of a foolish face," by the time he has swallowed the wearyfeast of hashed- up history, recurring clichés and peptonized matter that Dr. Rappoport has provided for him in Splendid Sons of Situ (Stanley Paul, 18s.). We read of many famous bastards, such as William the Conqueror, Manfred King of Sicily, and Don Juan of Austria. The author, according to his preface, has "made frequent escapades into the byways of history," of which we need give but one example : :" Thus spoke the weeping girl, who was really sorry to give up the handsome Duke. Louis d'Orleans bit his lip and graciously replied."

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