25 APRIL 1868, Page 23

The Modern Pedagogue ; or, Rustic Reminiscences. By J. Rhya.

Two vols. (Saunders and Otley.)—This book was lent to a friend, and came back with the second volume uncut. We thought it our duty to cut the second volume and to persevere to the end, but we can quite under- stand why our friend did not. The whole work is taken up with uninteresting talk ; there is neither story in it nor unity of design ; such a thing as a hero or a heroine seems undreamt of in Mr. Rhys's philosophy ; and it is impossible to divine what are the relations of the book to its title.