MR. ALDIN'S DOGS.* Mn. ALBIN'S pictured dogs pervade these two
books, though Mr. Maeterlinck claims the ownership of one. He has written a short account of the brief life of a puppy which apparently died of distemper. It is all in the simplest language, with just enough hint of mysticism to remind us of his other writings. Of course he does not stop short of exaggeration, but he manages to lead us on with his amazing insight into what might well be a dog's thoughts. His story is a high tribute to the trusting devotion of the race of dogs towards human beings. It is only to be regretted that the praise is heightened by a depreciation of other domestic animals. Mr. Aldin's bull pup is all that anyone could wish for. So too ars the puppies in his Merry Puppy Book. They are full of life, and each shows plainly his individual character. The artist also "drops into verse." In such combined efforts success in one sphere generally- overshadows any merit in the other, and here the versifier has too much to do to keep pace with the draughtsman. However, he has produced some amusing, punning lines which eke out adequately the excel- lent drawings.
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