30 MAY 1903, Page 24

The Memories of Sir Llewelyn Turner. Edited by J. E.

Vincent. (Isbister and Co. 16s.)—These " Memories " occupy a large volume of nearly five hundred pkges. Much of their interest it local; some of the persons commemorated were certainly not famous ; many of the sayings and doings recorded are scarcely worth preservation ; generally, the proportion of good things to the whole bulk of the book is but small. So much we say to warn our readers. They may be assured, however, that there is a fair amount of good reading in the book. Perhaps the most valuable part of it is that which concerns nautical affairs. Sir Llewelyn Turner knows as much about them as any amateur, and more than many professionals. Chaps. 6-7 may be specially commended to our readers. Future historians of the Bar will find some useful material in chap. 4, where Sir Llewelyn records his impressions of a multitude of Judges, from Chief Justice Tindal (of whom he can say vidi tantum) down to the late Master of the Rolls (Sir A. L. Smith). It is in this portion perhaps that the best stories are found. Lord Bramwell is naturally conspicuous among Sir Llewelyn's legal worthies. One would like to have heard his satire on the medical men of a certain Northern city. A whole crowd had come to testify to the insanity of a prisoner accused of murder, per- petrated, it should be said, by slow poisoning. Some of these gentlemen had never seen him. The next day a prisoner charged with some petty offence had pleaded " guilty." The Judge told him that the plea was a great mistake when there was so great an array of medical talent at his service.