14 FEBRUARY 1903, Page 23

Anthea's Way. By Adeline Sergeant. (Methuen and Co. 6s.) —Anthea

(unlike the gentleman in the farce who "had a way" with him) was remarkable for really performing her duty to her neighbour, and loving him as herself. This conduct met with its customary reward in what Edward Lear calls the "affection mingled with contempt" of her family and friends. Miss Sergeant writes her quiet little story as fluently and as pleasantly as usual, sad

the portrait which she draws of the rich ex-sailor uncle, if a little conventional, is very breezy and pleasant. The book may be . :recommended as a slight and agreeable sedative, but the most kindly critic could not speak of it as being original.