One naturally expects to have books about Christ's Hospital about
this time. Accordingly we have The Blue-Goat Boys ; or, School Lift in Christ's Hospital, with a short history of the foundation, by William Harnett Blanch (C. W. Allen); and Eight Years a Blue-Goat Boy ; or, Dundalker's School Days ; a Narrative of Fact. (Dean and Son.)— The latter is somewhat spoilt by a quite unnecessary amount of words, and by attempts at fun which are by no moans exhilarating to the reader. Still, when the writer tolls us simply his experiences, he is certainly entertaining. The partnership in a modicel business of the hero and his friend Tablet, for instance, is a good story ; and from the whole we derive a fairly distinct impression of what life in Christ's Hospital is, or rather was, for things have changed much within the last twenty-five years. The Blue-Coat Boys is a book of more preten- sion, and on the whole, of more value. Boy-life is sketched more in outline, and we have less of the detail of work and play, serapes and punishments, and fun. But the writer attempts, and not without success, to give an ostitnato of the real character of the school, and he has formed, it is evident, a definite idea of the defeats and excellencies of the system on which it is conducted. White cherishing very kindly recollections of the past, he is not disinclined to reform ; indeed in the concluding paragraph of his "Introductory Chapter" lie hints at quite a grand scheme of change, which would make the hair of the Governors stand on end. On the whole, we are loft with a strong impression that of internal reform two things aro chiefly needed,—more power in the hands of the head master, assisted by a resident staff, and the making of the Grecians from roisfaindants into active and responsible deputies of the master, such as the corresponding Mass is at Rugby and elsewhere— and that the school ought to be moved into the country. No gymna- slum, no cricket-field ten miles off can suffice for the health-giving play which a country school enjoys. For the rest, the most pressing reform is in the matter of presentations. Some more stringent rule should be observed to keep out unfit recipients of this groat bounty. No declare.- tion of income on the part of parents can be trusted. The present writer has seen a respectable clergyman deliberately state his income at half the reality. Probably it would be necessary to abolish the life. governorships.
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