SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
Pude this heading us notice such Books qf the luck at have not been reserved for resins in othtr forma.] 'Peaceful Personalities and Warriors Bold. By Frederic Villiers. (Harper and Brothers. 10s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Villiers has learnt the thoughts of many men, at times and in places where they are wont to come out with as little reserve as may be. His recollections go back more than thirty years, and they extend ad orbits Solis at Besperio cubili. Among the "peaceful personali- ties" is Prince Bismarok,—the epithet seems a little odd, but then it is in his diplomatic character that he appears. Hero Is a story, not unfamiliar to readers of the Spectator, told by Lord Rowton about the Berlin Conference. Disraeli had told the German Chancellor that if certain points were not con- ceded, he should break off the negotiations. This produced. no effect. Mr. Montague Corry, as he then was, telegraphed for places in a certain boat. All telegrams were seen by the Chancellor, and this was taken seriously, with the happiest result. Another story of peace tells us how a Peer, going to take up an Australian GovernOrithip, telegraphed Rudyard Ilipliog's line, " Greeting ! your birthstain you have turned to good," and was surprised to find that it did not please. By way of a contrast there is a story of King 'Edward. One day at dinner he toasted one of his equerries, Major Teesdale, some- *Fiat to his surprise. The Prince (as he then ws.$) had remembered that it was the anniversary of his Victoria Cross day. Another man of peace for the time was an Abyssinian chief, who was no struck with Mr. Villiers's possession of a Worcester-sauce bottle with a glass stopper that he offered him his daughter, and a very handsome girl too. There was then no other glass stoPper in Abyssinia. The Negus had. a bottle, but for A stopper the cone of mealie with a rag round it. The owner of such a treasure was a desirable son-in-law. Probably they have changed all this. As for the "warriors bold," they are without number. There is Lord Wolseley, and with him General Sherman, Lord Methuen (Mr. Villiers has something very inter- esting to say about him—it was the incessant messages from Kimberley, not in such bad straits after all, that made him- use too much haste), Lord Roberts, General Skobeleff, and the heroes of the Russo-Japanese War. The book is full of amusing if familiar things from beginning to end, and Mr. Villiers deserves our gratitude for giving it to the world.
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