By the Fireside. By Charles Wagner. (Hodder and Stoughton. 3s.
6d.)—Whence, we wonder, does this volume come ? The name of the author, and something, we cannot help thinking, in the tone of the writing, suggest a German origin ; not untouched, we venture to think, by French influences. Here is an example. An old statesman is much annoyed by an attack made on his political record. In the midst of his distress "his son comes in from Court, preoccupied over a turbulent and intolerable Session." This last phrase indicates translation beyond all possibility of mistake. Finally, the little grandson appears ; ha has made a paper helmet out of the offending journal, and the veteran recognises that this is quite possibly the best way of dealing with it. There is much genial and pleasant wisdom in the book. It is one of those which are good to read, but are not easy to describe. Their goodness is of an average unpretending kind which does not lend itself to extract.
Previous page
