28 MARCH 1896, Page 23

Blake of the 'Rattlesnake.' By Fred T. Jane. (Tower Pub-

lishing Co.)—Mr. Blake was "the man who saved England" in the war of 189—. Franee and Russia combine their forces and attack us. Mr. Jane has, it would seem, made himself familiar with the machinery of torpedoes, and the art of explosives generally, and he uses his knowledge to construct an exciting narrative. Let us hope that, should the occasion come, we may find engineers as skilful, and if necessity demand, as devoted as his hero.