The Man on the March. By Martin Cobbett (Mr. Sporting
Notions). (Bliss, Sands, and Co.)—This volume contains a col- lection of papers published in the sporting newspapers. About a quarter of a century ago Mr. Cobbett was commissioned to write an article about Epsom, and he accordingly went down to Epsom to collect material. Then he went "on the march," and on the march he has been since then to various scenes, notably races and boxing-matches (about which there has been a strange revo- lution of opinion). He has something to say about other subjects of a kindred nature. His first chapter is on "Reporting," and begins with an amusing school experience of the art. The second chapter is, perhaps, something of a digression, for it treats of "Health and Exercise." Among the others there is one "Mainly on Dogs," and on various other matters too. The dogs are very interesting ; one of them, a half-bred retriever, pulled a girl out of the river near her home. Of course the dog was much praised and petted. This brought on what Mr. Cobbett calls "rescue on the brain." Nothing was allowed to go into the river without being pulled out. If an angler attempted to wade he was " resce,-1" against his will. Cows were not allowed to drink. Ducks a.id geese were not allowed to swim. Here is a curious cat-story. An officer who had to change his residence from Brighton to Hounslow took with him a cat and one of two kittens, the other having been given to a neighbour. On the fourth day the eat and both kittens were found at their old home. There is much in the volume that will interest the average reader.
We have received the School Calendar, 1897-98 (Whittaker and Co.), a "Handbook of Examinations, Scholarships, and Exhibi- tions," now in its "eleventh year of issue." The figures of the pecuniary help given in secondary education in England are something quite surprising. If we could only have a reasonable conviction that the greater part of it was well laid out ! Much of it, we bear, goes to take a burden off shoulders that are well able to bear it. X's son may write Latin prose, or make out a " rider " to Euclid, in a style quite up to scholarship mark, but if X's father is well-to-do why should he not pay for his son's education ? He should be all the more ready if the outlay is likely to be remunerative. But these speculations are no objection to the utility of the School Calendar.
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