22 NOVEMBER 1890, Page 28

Philip Danford. By Julia Goddard. (Blackie and Son.) —We always

fear for the lady who ventures on the terra incognita of

schoolboy life. On the whole, Miss Goddard contrives to avoid its pitfalls pretty well. Her hero, Philip, is caned for his sup- posed guilt in a trick played on the French master. He really bears the blame for others, whom he refuses to betray. Of course

all comes right in the end, and poetical justice is done in a senti- mental sort of way which is hardly likely to have a counterpart in real life. Fancy the injured boy's sister coming forward coram perpu/o on the prize-day to intercede for one of the boys whose cowardice has brought her brother into trouble ! It would make a pretty picture, perhaps, but it does not commend itself as a scene of real life.