5 MAY 1923, Page 24

ESSAYS.

The Boy Bishop, and other Essays. By W. C. Haller. (T:33:L 7s. 6d.)

The title essay is a very interesting account of that mediaeval Christmas ceremony, common in France and England, in which children took precedence of all ecclesiastics and were attired in episcopal robes. It is in such quaint and beautiful old ceremonies and pieces of folk-lore that Mr. Meller takes delight, and his other Papers are all on similar themes. He displays a good deal of out-of-the-way knowledge, and his fresh matter and pleasant unpretentious manner will make his book more interesting to the intelligent reader than it seems to have been, judging from the unattractive format, to Mr. Meller's publishers.