Mr. S. P. B. Mais is not one of the makers of books, with whom criticism is creative and a minor art. He is merely an expert in appreciation who is ready—a little too ready at times—to praise a new book in glowing terms, without worrying overmuch about the difference between genius and talent. Still, he has the gift of contagious enthusiasm, and so is entitled to all the benefit that can accrue to hin from the truth expressed by W. 8. Lander in a sentence quoted on his title-page: "He who first praises a book becomingly is next in merit to. the author." His Apologia pro vitiis suis is honest and, we (the "Morning Post'') think, enough to procure forgiveness for his faults from all save the genteel Bludyers of the age—the professional critics who praise with faint damns and cultivate a jargon of their own to confound their victims and confuse the simple-minded reader. "With regard to my method of approach,". he explains in his Introduction, "it is no good reviling me for not criticizing each book or author according to a stereotyped plan, as if I were a chemist analyzing a compound. I am not analyzing so much as enjoying. My position is that of the not altogether successful cricketer who yet takes a keen delight in watching great players bat. I do not propose to sit down and lay emphasis on the chances given or the faulty strokes: my. object is rather to take as many, enthusiasts of the game with me as I can find and just lie down and Watch an innings which I know to be a good one." Very good—stilk it is a fault in a cricket enthusiast,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.