The High Toby. By H. B. Marriott Watson. (Methuen and
Co. 6s.)—The creator of Dick Ryder, otherwise "Galloping Dick," has put the world in his debt by giving it a further series of his hero's adventures. The highwayman of real life was, we fear, generally a brutal and squalid being ; but Dick Ryder is the true gentleman of the road, who never robs a poor man, never lays hands on a woman, and is always ready to succour dis- tressed merit and confound pretentious folly. He takes the most surprising risks, but when things are blackest he is quite at his ease, for he knows that there is a convenient window unguarded, and that his horse is waiting ready-saddled to come at his whistle. Sometimes his exploits strain our credulity to breaking- point, but in the best of the tales the feats are legitimate enough. Much the best in this collection is the last, "Gallows Gate," a finely conceived tale of the highwayman's revenge upon the thief-taker who had murdered his friend. Of the rest, we like best "The Lord Chief Justice," which tells how Dick insisted on driving with Jeffreys on circuit, and then led him a fine dance with a bogus story of a message from King William. The style is clear and spirited, and the proper archaisms and expletives are skilfully maintained. To all lovers—and we trust they are many —of the boot-and-saddle romance we cordially recommend Mr. Marriott Watson's tales.
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