ch the author neither glosses nor gloats over, being content to
make them appear essential to the development of the story. I am going to
keep my eye on Mr. WILLIAMS, chiefly because he can write enthrallingly,
but partly to see if he will accept a word of advice and be a little more
sparing in his use of those little dots ... which are the first and last
infirmity of writers who have no sense of punctuation.

* * * * *

When a young man sets out to London to make money for his relations he
usually (in a novel) writes a book which sells prodigiously--quite an easy
thing to do in a novel. Mr. John Wilberforce, however, avoids the beaten
track in _The Champion of the Family_ (FISHER UNWIN). _Jack Brockhurst_,
the champion in question, became a member of the Stock Exchange, and, if
you will accept my invitation and follow his fortunes, I can promise you a
fluttering time. Mr. WILBERFORCE'S name is unknown to me, and I judge him
more experienced in the mysteries of the Stock Exchange than in the art of
fiction; but I like his constructive ability and I like his courage. He
does not hesitate to make his champion a prig, which is exactly what a
youth so idolised by his family would be likely to become. But, though a
prig by training, _Jack_ was not by nature a bore, and his relations
(especially his father and sister) are delightful people. Altogether I find
this a most promising performance.

* * * * *

[Illustration: "HAVEN'T YOU ANYONE YOU CAN PLAY WITH, BOBBY?"

"I _HAVE_ ONE FRIEND--BUT I HATE HIM."]

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol.
159, September 8th, 1920, by Various

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUNCH ***

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