Between the Ling and the Lowland. By W. Carter Platt.
(Digby, Long, and Co. 6s.)—Mr. Platt describes his book as one "of country life, humour, and sport." On the whole, we are inclined to wish the humour away. It seems to us to be what the "quality of mercy" should not be, somewhat "strained." And it spoils, now and then, the sketches both of country life and
of sport. We must own that the village of Meadovrroyd is a little puzzling. It is in Yorkshire, we are told. But do the men in Yorkshire villages go to church in "varnished shoes, elegant trousers (style and fit guaranteed), irreproachable, immaculate silk hat, the latest possible styles in gloves, collar, and tie, and —tell it not in Piccadilly, publish it not in Berkeley Square—an old briar pipe !" The "tell it not," &c., is a specimen of the somewhat banal humour of the book ! But who are these fine gentlemen ? What occupation do they follow on weekdays ? The sketches of Nature are more to our taste, and the angling stories are also good of their kind.
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