The Book of the Cheese. (T. Fisher Unwin. 2s.)—What, it
may be asked, is the " Cheese " ? It is a certain tavern in a court running out of the north side of Fleet Street, styled, at full length, The Old Cheshire Cheese (the archaic spelling, " e Olde," is, we believe, comparatively new,—it was not used forty-odd years ago when the writer of this notice first made the acquaintance of the place). It remains in many respects as it was, while its compeers, the 'Cock," Mitre," Dick's,' have suffered change or even disappeared. Of course, it has not stood still. Once chops, steaks, kidneys, and, twice a week, the world-famous pudding, made up the menu. Now less simple tastes are catered for. It has its literary associations. Dr. Johnson's seat is shown, though he was a more frequent visitor at the Mitre.' (It was at the Mitre' that he took the "pretty Methodist" on his knee.) This is the fourth edition of a book which has had the benefit of more than one able pen and pencil. Mr. T. W. Reid compiled it ; Mr. W. Hussey Graham edited the last edition; while this appears under the care of Mr. R. R. D. Adams. Among the illustrators we find the names of Seymour Lucas, Herbert Railton, Joseph Pennell, and, ciarum et venerabile cornea, George Cruikshank.
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