Punch Library of Humour. Edited by J. A. Hammerton. 25
vols. (Carmelite House, B.C. £2 5s. 2d. cash.)—The plan of this republication of Punch, or rather of a selection from Punch—the sixty-six volumes would run into something like fifty thousand pages—is to sort the fun, and put each kind into a compartment of its own We have, for instance, " Mr. Punch with Rod and Gun," "In the Highlands," "On the Continong." "Scotch Humour," " Society " (with Du Meunier very much to the fore), " Railway Book," " Book of Sports," and, of course, " Golf Stories." There have been various republications of Punch, each with its own merits. The chronological arrangement has the obvious advantage of shoying the development of humour, especially in its artistic aspect ; how interesting the eontrast between John Leech and E. T. Reed ! This compartment system has its own merits,—the continuity of subject is distinctly attractive, and the moderate size of the volume does not permit us to grow weary. This last quality of moderate size counts for much. The books go easily into the pocket, and it is no small gain to be able to choose the special companion which may best suit the occasion.
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