These ten essays by the author of “The gentle reader” offer indulgences for such sins as those of omission, of necessarily slighted work, of doing more than is expected of one, and of unreasonable virtues. He deals with the “foibles, peccadillos, fallacies and the prejudices” of mankind with a subtle but always kindly humor, and never fails to make his moral purpose responsible for the friendly arraignment. The undertone of the book sounds a note of gentle manners and broad charity.
“He shoots very straight, although he does not employ a deadly kind of ammunition.”
+ Cath. World. 82: 116. Ap. ’06. 250w
“Mr. Crothers is less whimsical, but hardly less effective, than in ‘The gentle reader.’” H. W. Boynton.
+ Critic. 48: 457. My. ’06. 650w.
“Finally, Dr. Crothers, to use the language of a brother divine, belongs to that best class of essayists who ‘clarify life by gentle illumination and lambent humor.’”
+ Dial. 40: 22. Ja. 1, ’06. 430w.
“Like its predecessor, is altogether delightful reading.”
+ Lit. D. 32: 454. Mr. 24, ’06. 160w.