23 MARCH 1895, Page 27

Vernon's Aunt. By Sarah Jeannette Duncan. (Chatto and Windus.)—These "Oriental

experiences of Miss Lavinia Moffat" make up a farcical story, at which doubtless some people will laugh. 4' Vernon " is an Indian official, and his " aunt " is a middle-aged lady of Evangelical and philanthropic disposition, who goes out to see him. The experiences she meets with on her journey, in camp, and elsewhere, are the subject of the story, and the climax of fun is reached in the attentions paid by a certain Abdul Karim Bax, the " aunt's " reception of them, and " Vernon's " way of looking at the matter. On the whole, the humour, though clever in its way, is not of a kind that commends itself to our taste.