24 MARCH 1906, Page 25

The Mitanee. By Arthur Egger. (John Murray. 6s.)—This is a

Burmese story, and the plot is neatly worked to include the various superstitions which actuate the mind of the Burman. The story is exciting reading, and, as far as the person un- acquainted with Burma can judge, the local colour is skilfully laid on. It certainly is vivid, and brings the scenes depicted before the eyes of the readers. It must be acknowledged that on finishing the book it is impossible not to congratulate oneself, like the child in Stevenson's poem, on having been born English and not Burman, still more on not being a Burmese woman. It is no joke to incur the slightest risk of being considered a Hatanee. The book makes no great pretensions to literary style, but the contents are interesting enough to make some amends for this defect.