2 FEBRUARY 1895, Page 25

Notions of a Nobody. By T. Theodore Dahle. (Leadenhall Press.)—The

humour in these sketches is not always spontaneous, and occasionally it becomes a little wearisome. There is a decidedly American sound about some of it, without, however, the American richness and inimitable exaggeration. " Sawna3r's Complexion Maker" and "An Auction Experience" are by far the best. Some of the "notions" are poor stuff, and would condemn the book were it not for the really excellent humour of the two we have mentioned. When will the second-rate humourists of the day learn that the newspaper article which amuses the passengers of a belated train, will scarcely bear reading again in cold blood ?