This is a jeu d'esprit, a political skit which pokes fun pretty evenly at all parties, especially at so-called democratic representation as exemplified by a parliamentary election conducted largely by the cynical wiles of the election agent. The Candidate (a Conservative), who tells the story in the first person, meets all the local elite and has patiently to listen to crusted Toryism; he gets heavy orthodox support from the Bishop and the Church, and is involved in expensive experiences in competing in philanthropy with the Liberal candidate. He finds it necessary to take elocution lessons; eventually, after incredible exertions, he gets in by five votes--but this is only part of an extravaganza which has the great merit of being founded largely on fact and the observation of a political expert who is also a master of irony. Pirates of the Spring: A Novel. By FORREST REID. Crown 8vo, cloth. 7s. 0d. NET Inland Postage, 6d. Mr. Forrest Reid is one of those careful craftsmen who are not convinced of the absolute necessity of producing one or two full-length novels every year. Mr. Reid has always an interesting story to tell, and he is a master of style, tender and sensitive, yet powerfully effective. "Pirates of the Spring" is a fine example of Mr. Reid's work which will certainly enhance his literary reputation amongst discriminating readers who appreciate a good story well told. By Strange Paths: A Novel. By ANNIE M. P. SMITHSON. Crown 8vo, cloth. 6s. 0d. NET. Inland Postage, 6d. Miss Smithson's former novel, "Her Irish Heritage," achieved a success seldom accorded to first ventures, and "By Strange Paths" is certain to be equally popular. Miss Smithson is a nurse by profession, and her pictures of the unseen side of hospital life are drawn with the sure touch of knowledge and experience. Her characters are familiar because they are real, and the human notes of gladness and sadness run through the story as "a melody in tune." Tales That Were Told. By SEUMAS MACMANUS. Crown 8vo, cloth. 6s. 0d. NET. Inland Postage 6d. These are stories that are truly different real Irish folk tales, with the scent of the turf smoke still on them, and qualities of humanness, fancy and humour which make them of irresistible appeal. A delightful book for young and old, written with that touch of genius which brought a poor Donegal schoolmaster into the front rank of Irish authors. The Whale and the Grasshopper. By SEUMAS J. O'BRIEN. With frontispiece and cover design by JOHN KEATINGS, A.R.H.A. Crown 8vo, cloth. 3s. 6d. NET. Inland Postage 4d. A curious title of a curious book of curious stories that a curious reader will simply revel in. Mr. Seumas O'Brien is one of the younger school of Irish writers who has taken American readers by storm, and this unique collection of short stories comes to us by way of Boston and Dublin. Regarding the stories, the "Boston Transcript" says:--