The Log of a Jack Tar. Edited by Commander V.
L. Cameron. (T. Fisher Unwin.)—In publishing "The Adventure Series," Mr. Unwin shows his knowledge of the irresistible and healthy fascina- tion which a genuine narrative of adventures and hair-breadth 'stapes has for most people; and he is to be congratulated on the excellent material for his purpose afforded by the lives of the two heroes of the present volume. Of these, one is a sailor named Choyce, who underwent captivity in South America and in France nearly a century ago; and the other, Captain O'Brien, an officer who was prisoner of war in the last-named country from 1804 to 1808, when he finally managed to escape after having made two unsuccessful attempts previously, and suffered almost incredible hardships and privations,—e.g., existing for nearly nine days on raw cabbages and turnips only. Both had thrilling experiences, the account of which is often exciting enough to make the reader unwilling to lay the book down. And as one meditates on and admires the indomitable pluck and determination that distin- guished the two prisoners, and made it impossible to keep them quiet anywhere in captivity, one cannot help wondering what becomes of men like them when life goes smoothly. Golf can hardly be a sufficient outlet for such immense energy as theirs,— but perhaps football and exploring may do something.
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