King Edward VII and his Court (Murray, 125.), by the
late Sir Lionel Cust, is a charming volume of reminiscences into which the author has infused the spirit of gaiety which we see in the sparkling eyes of the portrait reproduced in Lady Cust's memoir of her husband. Needless to say, the book is full of good stories ; how the Archbishop of Canterbury tripped over his train ; how the ribbon of Lord Lister's Order of Merit was too small to go over his head ; and how on one occasion a Japanese and a Korean delegation became inextricably confused in the hall of Buckingham Palace with dignitaries of the London County Council. Sir Lionel knew King Edward as King, as master, and as friend. In each capacity he found much to praise and admire, but there is no mawkish adulation here, rather a portrait built up of a hundred tell-tale touches.
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