7 APRIL 1928, Page 28

Some Books of the Week (Continued from page 535.) '

We are told that, upon its first appearance, The English Rogue, " a history of the most eminent cheats of both sexes," by Richard Head and Francis Kirkman, was a forbidden book on account of its impropriety. It was finally published in 1665, however, and now Messrs. Routledge have brought out a new edition at 25s. This is the sort of book which a bad bright boy of twelve might find in a special corner of the library and laugh over for its bawdiness,_ but for adults it is boring. It does no doubt give an accurate picture of how tinkers and tailors, horseboys and inn wenches comported themselves in the Restoration period, but there seems to be no gleam of laughter or beauty about it.

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