The Gate of Death: a Diary. (Smith, Elder, and Co.
78. 6d. net.) —This is a very striking book. It describes with extreme minute- ness the mental and physical sensations of the author as he approaches "the gate of death." The story of a dangerous accident and a long convalescence is so told as to take powerful bold upon the reader, and it is difficult to lay the book down. It has all the fascination of a confession, a confession which con- vinces the reader of its essential truth, though it is disfigured by a certain nterbidity. This, perhaps, was inevitable. A deliberate attempt to re,sall, write down, and perpetuate the passing emotions caused by pain, illness, and the immediate expectation of dis- solution is of 'necessity somewhat morbid. The conclusion, how. ever, S not Oiscouraging. The author returns to a normal condition of nind and, body with an intensified belief in the paramount value ail realityy of two things,—religious faith and human affection.
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