A Pelican's Tale. By Frank M. Boyd. (H. Jenkins. 15s.
net.)—Mr. Boyd, the son of " A. K. H. B." of St. Andrews, has written an amusing autobiography, which begins among ministers and Bishops, but is mostly concerned with Fleet Street, the Theatre, and the Turf. His innumerable anecdotes about many well-known or notorious people are entertaining. He quotes a good retort at the expense of the elderly Mr. George Grossmith, at the first production of The Gay Pretenders at the Globe Theatre. The piece was dull and the gallery impatient. " You're very funny up there,' said the justly exasperated but very rash Mr. Grossmith. More than you are down there,' came the instant retort ; and then the audience smiled loudly." Mr. Boyd tells the strange story of The Private .`ecretary, which was at first a failure in London when the late Sir Herbert Tree played the chief part, but which slowly gained favour when the late Mr. W. S. Penley took the part of the Rev. Robert Spalding, and ultimately became " one of the greatest financial successes ever known in stageland."
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