Somerset Neighbours. By Alfred Percival (Mills and Boon. Ss. 6d.)--The
author tells us that ill-health took him to-Somerset thirty years ago as an -unattached clergyman. Hem we have his impressions of the country people round the village he calls Ilawkescombe. Prom a- few geographical -indications ft would appear that the country described is that of the Quantock Hills. Mr. Percival has entered into the spirit of the people and describes them well, and he reproduces the dialect- fairly, but with one glaring fault, he makes the old villagers drop their "h's "; this, of course, is quite wrong ; the only people in Somerset-who do this are the rising generation, who go to secondary- sehools in towns. The chapters of the book contain each a complete incident in which comedy generally prevails ; the occasional lapses into sentiment are not very successful. One of the best studies, " 'Ria dances," is an exceedingly humorous account of an elderly widow of not at all grave demeanour. The manner in which she contrives to dominate the conversation, when the writer comes to advise and reprove her, till it is too late for him to say anything is excellent comedy.
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