30 DECEMBER 1922, Page 27

A LADY'S MAID IN DOWNING STREET. By Auguste Schluter. (Fisher

Unwin. 7s. 6d. net.)

This naive diary, written by a maid to Gladstone's daughter, is chiefly interesting, not for the information it gives us about " My beloved Lady " and " Our Gentleman," but for the amusing picture it gives us of the author. She was a typical German, heavily sentimental and affectionate. Every book she reads is " very interesting," every sermon she hears (and she appears to have heard a good number each week) is " excellent," and persuades her to attempt to be more dutiful and pious. There are, nevertheless, many sidelights upon " The Gentry."