Pages from the Life of John Sparling. Edited by his
Daughter, E. F. Cunliffe. (Riverside Press, Edinburgh.)—All autobio- graphies have an interest, if they are honestly written, and the honesty of this is manifest. Most readers will find the best part of it in the reminiscences of Oxford. John Sparling went up in 1834, and has something to tell us of the Oriel of that time. It is curious that he gives some interesting particulars about Charles Marriott, but spells his name wrongly (Marryat), and that be speaks of " Menry Newman." Oakely, Tait, Dr. Shuttle- worth (the name again misspelt) appear in the reminiscences. There are other characteristic sketches of life both in England and abroad. It is curious to read (under the date of 1841) : " this year I purchased the living of Eecleston." That livings are bought even now by parsons who mean to hold them is true; but the fact would hardly be stated so very baldly.
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