A Compleat Sea - Cook. By Frank T. Bullen. (S. W. Partridge
and Co. Ss. 6d.)—Sea-cooks have somehow not a good name. It is not a distinction to have one in a family tree. Mr. Bullen seeks to rehabilitate them ; at least he shows us a very good specimen. John Royds is not a faultless hero. It is not Mr. Bullen's habit to have such people on board the craft which he mans. He does not mince his words when he describes the filth and brutality of a forecastle, while he makes it quite clear that his strongest words are quite inadequate to the occasion. John Roy& comes to him- self under influences which Mr. Bullen never fails to recognize; thenceforward the story moves on a higher level. On board the ' Millie Driver,' his last ship, John becomes a good man and,
what does not always follow as a matter of course, a good cook. We shall not anticipate the working out of the little drama, but we may sly that it is well executed. In stories of this kind woman necessarily plays a second part ; but what has to be done in this way is excellently done by Mary Grice.
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