Tales of the Canterbury Pilgrims. Retold from Chaucer and Others
by E. J. Harvey Darton. With Introduction by F. J. Furnivall. (Wells Gardner, Darton, and Co. 68.)—Dr. Furnivall's introduction is all that could be desired. He wields his learning lightly, telling us what the London of Chaucer's boyhood was, how people lived in it, and so going on with the details of the poet's life. Every one of these details suggests some interesting illustration from the manners of the time. The Tales themselves, as they are retold, will be sure to please. The "others" from whom some are taken are the unknown author of "Sir Gamelyn" Spenser and a later continuator for part of " Cambuscan Bold" another unknown author ; and Lydgate for "The Destruction of Thebes." Mr. Hugh Thomson's illustrations are full of grace, grave and gay, as occasion may demand. Altogether, this book, excellently got up as it is by printer and binder, is one of the prettiest of the year.
Hurricane Island. By H. B. Marriott Watson. (Isbister and Co. 6s.)—We have read stories more than we can number of mutinies on board ship, fierce conflicts, and the ultimate victory of the right side; but we have never seen one better told than Hurricane
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