28 NOVEMBER 1885, Page 20

Tim Yardley's Year. By F. Scarlett Potter. (S.P.C.K.)—Tim

Yardley is a boy who begins life by " bird-keeping." His experiences are arranged in the order of the seasons, and we hope that if the book gets into the hands of any "Time " in actual life, they may profit by its teaching. May we suggest that there is a most demoralising description of "lading" a brook for trout ? It is a scandalous but exciting practice ; and we are afraid that any boy who reads how Tim and his comrades went about it will be sorely tempted to do likewise. In this case, the author and the S.P.C.K. would have much to answer for, to all lovers of honest fishing.