5 NOVEMBER 1892, Page 13

In a Steamer Chair. By Luke Sharp. (Chatto and Windus.)—

In these thirteen short stories, we have the life on board an " Ocean-liner " described with admirable fidelity. The flirtations, the tragedies, the comedies, the stowaways ; "Luke Sharp " knows them all, and has realised nothing so well as the pettiness of it all, and the unsatisfactoriness of dramas with no beginnings and no ends. But the stories themselves are readable, varying in shade, and touching on almost everything connected with ocean travel ; the dialogue is excellent, though too clever in the first story," In a Steamer Chair," and the characters are always interesting. Ocean travellers are certain to appreciate " Luke Sharp's " happy por- traits and sketches.