Lip-Reading : Principles and Practice. By Edward B. Nitchie. (Methuen
and Co. Sc. net.)—Although lip-reading is not a subject that can be studied satisfactorily from a book, it is to be hoped that Mr. Nitchie's careful study will prove a most useful assistant both to the teacher and to the pupil. Its first half is devoted to a general statement of the prin- ciples of lip-reading, and contains also some excellent words of advice to the friends of deaf people. The second half of the book contains a systematic course of study, accompanied by practical exercises for the development of the faculty. A good bibliography completes the volume.—Help for the Deaf : What Lip-Reading Is. By E. F. Boultbee. (Hodder and Stoughton. 2s. 63. net.)—Miss Boultbee's work is on a. slighter scale than Mr. Nitchie's, but will also be found to contain some valuable lessons for the lip-reader. An intro- duction is provided by Sir James Goodhart. A study of these two books should convince the most sceptical of the relief afforded to those afflicted with deafness by lip-reading, even. though its limitations are obvious. We are reminded of the Chinese proverb quoted by Miss Boultbee " You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you may prevent them from stopping to build their nests in. your hair."
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