33 
If, by ‘the best,” you mean the book from which one gains the 
most knowledge, the most permanent good—either worldly, 
morally, or intellectually—then, perhaps, my selection is not justi- 
fied. Some will choose the book which holds up the loftiest ideals, 
or portrays some noble character ; others, that which is clothed 
in the most elegant language; whilst others again may choose 
a book because it is written by some particular author who is all 
the rage and therefore it must be good, or because it is the correct 
thing to go into raptures over the book whether you like it or 
not. I have chosen ‘‘ My Lady Nicotine” as ‘‘ the best’ from the 
point of view of one who reads purely for relaxation and amuse- 
ment and without any ulterior motive. One can hardly imagine 
a man reading a book on, say, “ Political Economy,” purely for 
enjoyment, he would look on that as work—not relaxation. But 
for the busy man, who comes home at night tired out with the 
work and worries of the day, and who does not sit down to read 
and enjoy himself till after supper, I van recommend nothing 
which will send him to bed feeling more at peace with the world 
than a few chapters of ‘‘ My Lady Nicotine.” ; 

8. J, G. GRIFFIN. 
CARLYLE’S ‘‘ FRENCH REVOLUTION.” 
In describing Carlyle’s ‘‘ History of the French Revolution” 
as the best book he had read during the year 1901, the Kssayist 
desired to indicate by this superlative that it was the book which 
had made him think most, and had taught him most—of many 
things besides history—and in particular, the futility of shams, 
ov, in the author’s own words, that ‘the first of all gospels is 
this, that a lie cannot endure for ever.” 
