The Pinafore Picture Book. By Sir W. S. Gilbert. (George
Bell and Sons. 5s. net.)—As " the opera on which this book is founded is, unhappily, not played in every town every night of the year "; as some children are not taken to see it when it is played ; as when they are taken they may not see what is going on by reason of the enormous bats " which ill-bred and selfish ladies clap upon their heads,"—the author of the said opera has had the happy idea of telling the story so that it can be read at home. Hero we have what the characters say to each other ; we see the great Sir Joseph who has risen to be "ruler of the Queen's Navee" by following the golden rule, " Stick close to your desks, and never go to sea," Little Buttercup, Dick Dead-eye, Captain Corcoran, Josephine, and all the rest of them. We have the songs with their music, and we have, as good a substitute for the scenery of the stage as can be, Miss Alice B. Woodward's delightful illustrations. One serious criticism we must make. When the future historian of our social life quotes this volume, as he may very well do, he will find it stated' that the ladies played at " Bridge" for nuts. " Bridge," indeed ! When was Pinafore first played? Should a text be corrupted in this fashion ? We see how anachronisms crept into Homer.
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