14 NOVEMBER 1903, Page 22

Mr. Page's Wild Oats. By Charles Eddy. (E. Arnold. 6s.)—

We wonder whether this story is meant as an alternative for a reader who has sickened after a course of reading which has taken him into lodging-houses, casual wards, tramps' winter- quarters, and slums generally. Mr. Page is a middle-aged man who suddenly finds out that his life is somewhat dull, and goes on the search for gaiety. He finds, or thinks to find, it in music- halls and the like resorts, and is not a little disappointed. There is an excellent moral here, whether it is intended or no, but we do not find the moral make up for what we must frankly call the tedium of the tale. The literary quality is good enough, and there are touches of nature, but the littleness of it all is somewhat wearying.