POEM WORTHY os Coxsmxn&viox.—Mr. John Austin's poems are more original
than their title suggests. The contents of Poems for Men (Basil Blackwood, 5s.) do not resemble the effusions of the late Miss Ella Wheeler Wilcox, for they contain real humour. The song in " The Selfish God " is delightfully witty. The two best poems in the book are " The Portrait of a Woman " and " A Useful Prayer for a Saint." This is apparently Mr. Austin's first effort. It is sufficiently promising to make one await his next book with interest.—Theosophy has brought the study of Eastern religions into fashion, and Captain Esnui Wingfield-Stratford's India (Liverpool : Books, Limited; Os. 61) should prove a mind of wealth to those to whom Oriental mysticism appeals, for ho is comprehensive in his choice of religions. Brahmanism and Buddhism have much space devoted to them, but even Allah and English Missions have their poems. The last part of the volume, however, is secular, containing verses addressed to Nature and Anglo- Indian Society respectively. The most attractive lines are those called " He Abides."
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