BOOK NOTICES.

A TIGHT SQUEEZE. By "Staats." Boston: Lee & Shepard, Publishers. 1879.

The nature and purpose of this book are very well indicated by the full title, which runs as follows: "A Tight Squeeze; or, The Adventures of a Gentleman, who on a wager of ten thousand dollars undertook to go from New York to New Orleans in three weeks without money, as a professional tramp." It is a very ingenious and entertaining bit of work, full of characteristic humor, and at the same time containing much valuable information concerning tramp life, which, if true, points to the solution of many a problem of social science. At the same time there is woven into the narrative a thread of romance which comes to full view and development in the latter part. While the writing is not always as choice in conception and language as might be desired, and while it is not perfectly free from noticeable grammatical errors, it is still a strikingly original and fascinating book, and one well worth the reading.

MR. PHILLIPS' GONENESS. By the "Danbury News Man." Boston: Lee & Shepard.

This is Mr. Bailey's first connected story, and the attempt to abandon his sketchy manner is not successful.

Many of the characters and incidents, though amusing in themselves, have nothing whatever to do with the story, which is of the thinnest possible description.

The love-making will seem peculiar, even to readers of Miss Broughton. Take this for example, - start not, nervous reader; they are to be married in a few pages:-

"It must have been an inspiration that seized him, he took her up so suddenly and impetuously in his arms, and held her so tightly.

"'O Tom!' she gasped as soon as he freed her, 'don't you know the folks will hear you?'

"'I don't care if they do,' he boldly asserted. 'Don't you suppose I've got the right to squeeze you, you beautiful witch?' And, before the unhappy girl could save herself, he had her again in his impetuous embrace."

And so on ad nauseam. Those fond of this rather material transport will find plenty to satisfy them.

There is some clever writing in the book, and some of the chapters, as sketches, are really amusing.