3 DECEMBER 1898, Page 28

Comical Coons. By Kemble. (Regan Paul, Trench, and Co,) —This

is an importation from the other side of the Atlantic.

The draughtsman makes fun, of a somewhat extravagant kind, out of his subjects, which are, for the most part, humours of negro life. There is no possibility of giving an idea of the pictures ; they must be seen, and they are worth seeing. —Of the same kind, with the same characteristic, and by the same draughtsman, is a A Coon Alphabet (John Lane). —Nonsense for Somebody, ic. Written and illustrated by a Nobody. (Wells Gardner, Darton, and Co.)—Tommy with his " Head of Hair" is the best of " Nobody's " creations, but they are scarcely up to the standard of really good nonsense.—Chop Heads and Change Faces. By Lothar Meggendorfer. (H. Grevel and Co.)—This is a piece of mechanical fun, so to speak, and shows a good deal of ingenuity. The face is divided into three parts, top, middle, and lower, and you can combine any one with any one, with the result that one thousand five hundred and thirty-six changes are possible.—From the same author and publishers and in something of the same style we have Tiny Tim, Prince of Li/lipid, showing plenty both of ingenuity and of humour.—.41/ the World Over, by Edith Farmiloe, with Verses by E. V. Lucas (Grant Richards), shows us, if not exactly all that the comprehensive title promises, yet an abundant variety of scenes and persons. London, West and East, and each division of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzer- land, North America and South, the Far East and the Near,—all these places and their people are represented with a comedy that is not altogether remote from truth. The pictures are cleverly drawn, and they have the advantage of colour. " Lapland— Milking the Reindeer," " Japan—A Rickshaw Ride," " Turkestan —The Turkoman's Steed," may be noted as good specimens. And it is quite surprising how effective Miss Farmiloe contrives to make her few simple strokes. Mr. Lucas's verses are appropriate, not so good as the drawings, but not unworthy of them.