30 JANUARY 1904, Page 13

Gordon League Ballads. By "Jim's Wife" (Mrs. Clement Nugent Jackson).

(Skeffingthn and Son. 2s. 6d.)—This is a "second series." Of the first the writer of this notice has no recollection, but he sees that it has had a decided success, reaching a seventh thousand. And this is a worthy successor. The Terse is a little rough, but it is fluent and vigorous, with a most effective "swing" about it. And the subjects are such as cannot fail to appeal to a reader's, still more to a listener's, heart. "Shot on Patrol," a tale of the South African War, and "On the Casquets," the narrative of the heroic behaviour of the stewardess of the 'Stella,' are good specimens. But the whole book is highly to be commended. Naturally it does not lend itself to extract, for these ballads do not boast purpurei panni; but we heartily commend it to our readers.