The Square of Sevens. With a Preface by E. Irenaeus
Steven- son. (George Redway. 2s. 6d.)—It is perhaps necessary to add that The Square of Sevens is a reprint of " The Square of Sevens and the Parallelogram " of Robert Antrobus. Antrobus being thrown into the neighbourhood of a dying gipsy in Cornwall, learnt from him the secrets of cartomancy ; he did not respect the secret, but as, owing to a fire, the copies extant could be numbered on the ten fingers, and the great libraries are without a copy, it remains for this handsome reprint of Mr. Stevenson's to rediscover it once more. Antrobus's pamphlet, needless to remark, was the work of a man of culture, and is a quaint and superstitious, but shrewd and clever, piece of literature. It is only fair to add that the preface has a distinct literary flavour too. Diagrams illustrate the setting out of the magic square, but the original work—all but the Tavola,—i.e., significance of cards—is reproduced exactly, being, indeed, admirably clear. It is a handsome little book and should be harmless.
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