The Adventures of Halek, an autobiographical fragment, by John H.
Nicholson (Griffith and Farran), is intended to set forth in an allegorical form varying states of growth in the mind of a thinker of the nineteenth century. The narrative is skilfully woven, although here and there the veil is almost drawn aside ; and all through, it requires only ordinary attention to discover the originals of the dwellers in Bennben, that island between the distant countries of Adironda and Kashep, whose inhabitants only partly believe in the existence of these other places, while yet they are blessed or cursed by those who come from them. Some idea of the author's opinions is given in such passages as the following :—" Kashep may indeed be considered as a house of correction, for it is only inhabited by those Benubenas who wholly give themselves up to evil, so that the happiness of others would be destroyed were they not separated till they are willing to make an orderly progression in usefulness and wisdom." In the course of the narrative, the author manages to satirise a great many familiar usages and old customs, whilst in- culcating throughout a spirit of reverence and humility.
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