19 DECEMBER 1891, Page 25

Retrieving the Colours. By E. L. de Butts. (Religious Tract

Society.)—Every one has a lesson, of course, to learn from the story of how an impetuous young private marries "off the strength," and subsequently, after several falls, manages to subdue the demon of drink. But do the men and women for whom this temperance tale is evidently meant, get hold of it and similar pro- ductions? The title is attractive, we allow, but though not expen- sive, the book might seem to many a private soldier beyond his purse. If his reading-room library has such books, well and good, otherwise they are generally read by people who do not care about them. This, indeed, is a readable story of its kind.