3 FEBRUARY 1912, Page 25

Blawearie. By the Rev. T. S. Cairnoross. (Hodder and Stough-

ton. 6s.)—Here we have some scenes from Scottish life in which the minister, Free or Established, or even belonging to some minor Presbyterian body, figures prominently. Ile certainly means more in North Britain than in South. There are even more jokes about him than about the English parson. Evidently the things for which he stands mean more to a Scottish than to an English public. It may be true that, as Buckle says, Scotland is the most priest-ridden country in Europe ; if so, the tyranny is much mitigated with epigram. The resignation of Mr. Weary- body—Mr. Cairncross might choose his names with more subtlety —the choice of a successor, and, in the region of secular affairs, the meeting of the Council, a Parliamentary election, changes of fortune—the suddenly enriched Peggy is a very humorous study —are described in a very lively way. Altogether the book may be read with no little amusement and not without profit.