26 AUGUST 1899, Page 25

How to be Pretty though Plain. By Mrs. Humphrey. (J.

Bowden. ls.)—This is a very taking title, and as it is, we pre- sume, reprinted from Truth, in which the author writes under the name of " Madge," it is bound to be exact. Anyhow, it abounds with good sense. Mrs. Humphrey relies on diet, exercise, a healthy mode of life generally, though she does not refuse to

assist nature. Of her recipes we cannot profess to judge, but they have the appearance of being useful. " I will guarantee," she writes, after giving one, " a good complexion to any healthy girl who will wash her face as described above every night and morning, and at least twice additionally every day." We shall not quote it. Who would grudge a shilling for such a treasure ?