Modern Scientific Whist. By C. J. Melrose. (L. 17pcott Gill.)—
This is written, Mr. Melrose tells us on his title-page, "with the view of enabling beginners to become skilful players." It is a great aim, and if Mr. Melrose accomplishes it he will have done a great service to society. We must own that we do not see any marked difference between his treatment of the subject and that which we see in Dr. Pole, in " Cavendish " and Proctor, and in Colonel Drayson ; this last writer having, it seems to us, a special gift of exposition. Still, the restatement of a case by an expert always has the effect of clearing up some points that may have been left doubtful in a reader's mind. We have no hesita- tion in saying that a tiro who has studied his " Cavendish " or Drayson will not fail to learn something from this new teacher. We have no space to criticise details. The first chapter is given to an argument against counting honours. It might, we think, be profitably abolished, but most conveniently by adopting the American system of scoring. This ignores the rubber. The game is won by the party which first scores seven points, the losers' score being deducted to give the balance due to the winners.— Whist of the Future. By Lieutenant-Colonel B. Lowsley. (Swan Sonnenschein and Co.)—This little treatise is chiefly noticeable first as giving criticisms on various points in the rules, and on a revolt against the signalling system ; and secondly, as suggesting some new variations in leading. Here, too, the learner will find much that will be of use to him ; but we hesitate before giving a general adhesion to Colonel Lowsley's methods. On one point we heartily agree, a uniform mode of scoring.
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