24 MARCH 1894, Page 24

Scotland Yesterday. By William Wallace. (Hodder and Stoughton.)—Mr. Wallace draws,

it is clear, from life, or simulates life with uncommon skill. The people whom he pic- tures for our benefit are not exactly interesting in themselves, or are not invariably so ; still their portraits attract and enter- tain, so well are they executed. Altogether, they furnish a notable presentment of Scotch life, as it was a generation ago. Time is planing off the characteristic roughness which give ocea-

sion to the writer for his best effects. We should be the more thankful to the shrewd and humorous observer who is able to preserve them for us.