Even readers to whom American humour is generally a little indigestible may glean some smiles from _Penrod_ (HODDER AND STOUGHTON), provided that it is taken in small doses and not in the lump. If this book were to be considered a study of the normal American boy I should cry with vigour, "Save me from the breed," but as a fanciful account of a thorough and egregious imp of mischief I can, within limits, offer my congratulations to Mr. BOOTH TARKINGTON. The triumph of _Penrod_ lies in the fact that, although he brought woe and tribulation to his relations and exasperated his friends to the point of insanity, it is nevertheless impossible to suppress an affection for him. Ofttimes and hard his father chastised him with rods, but _Penrod_ merely accepted these beatings as the price that had to be paid for leading an adventurous life, and showed not the smallest signs of repentance. Yes, I like _Penrod_, though I have not any great desire to meet him in the flesh. It grieves me, however, that such a character as _Mr. Kinosling_ should have been dragged in by the heels. If fatuous clerics are worth any novelist's attention they certainly are not worth Mr. TARKINGTON'S, and the only effect _Mr. Kinosling_ had upon me was to fortify my conviction that it is far easier to begin a book of humour than to finish it. * * * * * Illustration: THE NORTH SEA PERIL. "BY JOVE, I PITY THE GERMANS IF _SHE_ GETS HOLD OF 'EM!" * * * * * _EN PASSANT._ Loud swells the roar of traffic in the street, The motor-buses rumble on and wind Their plaintive warnings as they come behind Faint folk who dally, dazed by summer heat; The reckless taxis seem a deal too fleet To country cousins nervously inclined, And raucous news-boys fret the curious mind With spicy rumours of the foe's defeat. But suddenly a hush falls everywhere: Stopp'd is each taxi with its languid load, And, as the City's silence deeper grows, Only a barrel-organ churns the air While Peggy (in the middle of the road) Pauses to put some powder on her nose! * * * * * Mr. Chaplin as an Apache. "RETIREMENT OF MR. HENRY CHAPLIN. SAFETY OF THE STREETS." _The Times._ * * * * *