A Day at Laguerre's, and other Days. By F. Hopkinson
Smith. (Osgood, McIlvaine, and Co.)—These nine sketches are such as only an artist could write, one ready to recognise the beauty of life in any shape, and with an eye to his surroundings and the human kaleidoscope which revolves everywhere. Accordingly we have the most delightful word pictures of a French village and a French housewife, Venice and a gondolier, Constantinople and a gleam or two of its varied life, Cordova and a romance, a fruit- market on the water, a reminiscence of Sofia, and three Western tales. Of these, the best is the account of Gorgoni, the gondolier. Mr. Smith realises with considerable success the magical charm and colouring of the city, and the dignified quietness of its daily routine. Nearly as good is "Under the Minarets," which is very good reading, as indeed are all the sketches. This is a charming little volume.
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