5 DECEMBER 1903, Page 10

Absurd Ditties. By G. E. Farrow. With Pictorial Absurdities by

John Hassall. (Routledge and Sons. 6s.)—Absurd Ditties is a book sufficiently described by its title. It consists of comic verses satirising the humours of the day. And we particularly recommend "That of the Bargain Sale" to any ladies who may be looking forward to opportunities of getting cheap remnants after Christmas. The behaviour of Mrs. Gibson-Brown and Mrs. TomIcins-Smythe may act as a wholesome warning :— " • Those remnants—' Mrs. Tomkins-Smythe

Remained to hear no more.

She jabbed her bonnet on with pins, And hurried to the door.

A tram, a 'bus, the tupp'ny tube, And they were quickly there ; And joining in the buzzing crowd Of other ladies fair.

They pulled at this, they tugged at that, They turned and tumbled those ; And pushed, and crowded with the best, And trod on people's toes.

They glared at other buyers. and

Forestalled them—when they could;

And behaved, indeed, exactly, As at sales all ladies should."