Our Ain Folk. By James Inglis. (D. Douglas, Edinburgh.)— The
sub-title of this volume is " Memories of Manse Life in the Mearns, and a Crack shoot Auld Time." Mr. Inglis's father was minister of the parish when the Disruption took place. He had succeeded his father some years before. The picture of the place and its inhabitants is drawn with the loving care of one who knew it wall. There are not, perhaps, quite as many really good stories as one would have expected, but there is a pleasant tone of kindly humour and good feeling throughout the whole. One of the best is of "Painter Tam." He applied for a job to an old lady who gave him for a subject with which to paint some well-worn floor- cloth, " The Children of Israel Crossing the Red Sea." The price was to be five shillings, to which sum Tam was beaten down from his first demand of seven shillings and sixpence. The floorcloth was brought back painted all over a brilliant red. "° Ay; said the old lady on looking at her bargain, and where's the Children of Israel, Tam ? C—c—c 'wa ' [Tam stammered under the influence of liquor, his normal state] ye silly auld limmer ; wid ye hae them whamlin' i' the wetter yet ? ' "
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