24 AUGUST 1907, Page 23

In the First Watch, and other Engine-Room Stories. By James

Dalziel. (T. Fisher Unwin. 6s.)—This is a very interesting collection of short stories, all of which have the engineers of the merchant service for their heroes. The least successful story in the volume is " The Voice of the Machine." There is only one writer who can make machines talk so as to convince the reader

that they are animated by human intelligence, and Mr. Dalziel would do well not to attempt to imitate him. When, however, he confines himself to human beings his stories are distinctly well told. People who like sea stories will find a decidedly original series in Mr. Dalziel's pages.