Was he really Mad? and other Sketches; being Incidents in
the Life of a Curate. By the Rev. Maberly Walker. (Remington and Co.)—To the question which forms the title of the first of these sketches, there is only one answer to be given, and it would obviously have been well had the Rev. "Mab Walker" and his parishioners at Moreton Lodge given it more promptly. Many of the true notes of mental disease are eo well seized and indicated in the cases of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, that we are convinced the doubt is only suggested for the sake of a sensational title. In spite of these touches of observa- tion, perhaps in some degree because of them, this particular story is unpleasant enough, and has no point of uncommon in- terest to warrant its recital. The other five stories are in better taste, and notably in the cases of " Mies Thompson's Step- mother " and " The Park Green Post Office " rise to a higher level of interest and pathos. Perhaps the most effective incident relates to a preconcerted run on a bank in the Midland Counties, happily frus- trated, in a method that is, we believe, historical. The narratives are very unequal, and are disfigured by a slovenly style, intended to be colloquial, but which is, as a fact, only familiar. Occasionally the matter is as careless as the manner (e.g., the dates on pages 49 and 57 are clearly inconsistent). Future " experiences " are hinted at, so we entreat Mr. Mab Walker, no longer a curate, to mend his " composition," and especially to abandon altogether his abbreviations, colloquialisms, and other affectations of intimacy with his readers. We assure him they will respect him the more.
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