Though Mr. Mais[2] justly claims credit for originality in departing occasionally from the fixed lines of English teaching as it is practised in the Public Schools, his "Course" mainly follows the traditional modes and is directed to the preparation of pupils for the orthodox type of examination. The nature of the course is indicated by the chapter-headings; for example: "Grammar and Syntax--Analysis, Parsing and Synthesis-- Punctuation--Vocabulary--Letter-writing--Reproduction--Paraphrase-- Dictation--Précis--Prosody--Figures of Speech--Indirect Speech-- Essay-writing--Examination Papers." There are, beside these thoroughly normal chapters, six pages on Elocution, Debating, Lecturing, Acting, etc., a useful list of cheap books for a home library, more than fifty critical pages on Shakespeare, and a regrettable[3] twenty-page chapter entitled "Short History of English Literature." I think the author is trying to shake off a yoke which is not entirely congenial to him. But if he will make boys write essays on Scandinavia, explain Synecdoche, paraphrase Keats, "condense the _Vision of Mirzah_ to 300 words," he cannot complain if he is mistaken for one of the old regime and guillotined in distinguished company. [2] _An English Course for Schools_. By S. B. P. Mais, Assistant Master at Tonbridge School and Examiner in English to the University of London. Grant Richards Ltd.; 6s. net. [3] _e.g._ "R. L. Stevenson represents the incurably romantic and is followed by Kipling and Conrad."