The Mystery of the Ocean Star.' By W. Clark Russell.
(Chatto and Windus.)—What does the reader expect to find under this title ? Surely, what the present writer expected, a tale of wonder, full of unaccountable events and breathless suspense, and ending in some extraordinary surprise, all told in the admirable way which Mr. Clark Russell knows so well how to use. Well, as a matter of fact, he will find nothing of the sort. " A Collection of Maritime Sketches " is the sub-title, and the volume contains some two dozen miscellaneous papers on all kinds of marine subjects. After all, what we get is possibly better than what we expected. Anyhow, we learn more from it ; and it is only a dislike to anything like a deception that suggests our criticism. It is quite superfluous to praise Mr. Clark Russell's matter or style. He knows his subject thoroughly, and is familiar with many of the by- ways that are known to few. Those who go down to the sea meet with strange things, and they are credited with no small power of imagination. Then comes in their very general superstition, and of all magnifying powers, superstition is the greatest. Altogether we have the factors which go to produce some very curious and
even startling results. The sketch from which the volume gets its title is a very pretty little surprise, and " The Extraordinary Adventures of a Chief Mate," which follows it, is a good match. " Seaside Effects " is a specimen of the author's skill in " sea- scapes." " The Luminous Sailor " is as grim a specimen of a practical joke as one would desire to meet with. We must not forget to mention the concluding paper on " The Spanish Armada."
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