The History of a Slave. By H. H. Johnston. (Kegan
Paul, Trench, and Co.)—This tale, reprinted from one of the illustrated papers, is a realistic study of the most painful kind. The truth- fulness of its details makes itself felt, quite apart from the authority given to them by the author's name. Commonly, one doubts whether such horrors are a fit subject of literature ; but sometimes the pen can do such service to humanity that literary considerations must give way. No one, we venture to say, can read this very powerful book without feeling disposed to question the laisser faire policy that lets Africa remain the scene of such horrors. If things were mending, however slowly, it might be possible to bear. it; but they are undoubtedly getting worse. The experience of the "slave" is the experience of more thousands than can be easily reckoned. And—for he was a man, and could, in a. way, bear it—there are as many thousands more who suffer worse— the women.
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