27 MARCH 1886, Page 23

Skippers and Shellbacks. By James Runciman. (Chatto and Windus.)—This volume

contains between twenty and thirty short stories, reprinted from various periodicals. They are sea-stories, or stories with which the sea and seafaring men have much to do, and are very characteristic indeed. The life that is described is not in the least polished up to suit the tastes of fastidious readers, and Mr. Ranciman almost parades his indifferent feeling towards the failings, and even the vices, of sailors. But the vigour and freshness of the book are beyond all question. Some of the tales, too have a very strong interest.