Ensor Walters says: "The.amazing success of 'Lax of Poplar' jeansed me no surprise: when -T read that remarkable volume manuscript, I knew. at once that, [here was a-living- and vital book, {Here I.thought is the one book Lax will write and win a. success never to be repeated. But Lax.
"has done it, again.'
Poplar, like most.-ports, cosmopolitan and this is -reflected the mixture of races in the mission. 'Mrs. -Khan with Mahommed Ah Khan are there, Mrs. Hassan, a Malayan, the Ah Songs from' China, Mr. Naquibulla Nairulla from Afghanistan, the Cromarties from the West Indies, Signors Torinne from Italy and others who come from places not marked on the map.
Those whose taste is for '"Theills" might do worse than look at this book. It begins with a "ghost" story: there is a "Pavement Tragedy" and a busman, hero, to mention just one or. two, while anyone who has ~the lightest acquaintance with. the East End of London will naturally expect some good stories, 7 There is the deaf old lady:
'Wot are yer gain' to talk can't Year" she. bawled, "Bunyan," I repeated, with a shout, stooping down and making megaphone with my hands, ly. killed wi? em!"
There is the letter of recom-given by a bachelor: }"Mrs. Patten has been my cook for six months: it seemed much longer. She left on account of illness. My illness. (Signed)."
Then there is the story of the Jamateur medicine. man who would keep prescribing for: Mr. Lax.
"At 3 o'clock one Monday morning we were awakened. by the Hloud insistent ringing of the front dor bell. Tt "was. winter and very cold. The ringing increased fand was reinforced by a wild {tattoo on the door knocker.
Driven to. desperation I leaped "Is that yer, sir?"
"Yes," I replied, "Ts somebody 'Ow do-yer feel sir' he cried ignoring my question.
"Very well, thank you" I. said, with. but little- grace.
"Thank God yer alive. sir," he shouted, "I thought.yer. would -be "Dead! Dead!. What for?" asked in amazement. should T be?" she said. "Have 1 rot my cat—and God?"
There is only space to record the revised version of "The Fall" as told by a girl at the children's and Gawd looked at Adam an'
Adam looked. at Gawd!"
'An' Gawd said "Nab, Adami' op It! "An' 'e oped itt" One would Tike to meet Tommy Binks.
"Cheerio sir" said Tommy. "Its yard Tuck: yer cant get bacco after eight o'clock, and yer cant beer after ten, but yer can Dally well get ron over any hour of the day!" And-so long as.that breed lasts there will always the men who can thrill us with the stories of their experiences amongst Tommy Binks.and his friends.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.