24 APRIL 1897, Page 11

The Story of the Indian Mutiny. By Ascott Hope. (F.

Warne and Co.)--Mr. Hope uses his well-practised pen to good purpose in this book. He compresses into a volume of moderate compass a long story, makes a telling picture by his bold and well-con- ceived strokes, and does not forget to attract the reader by some of those picturesque details which are necessary if we want to realise the scene. To make good use both of the public and of the private narratives of the Mutiny is not an easy thing, but Mr. Hope has done it well. His book does not come into competition with the more formal narratives of this eventful time, but in its own way it is excellent.