15 AUGUST 1908, Page 26

The Duchess of Dreams. By Edith Macvane. (John Milne. es.)—This

is an amusing sketch of an incident in the life of a would-be social leader at Newport, U.S.A. It is difficult to criticise the book without betraying the plot, which would be unfair, as it is ingenious and well put together. Suffice it to say that the "Duchess of Dreams" is a very attractive figure, and that the accounts of the gorgeous entertainments of Newport are amusingly written. The book is thoroughly suitable for holiday reading, and offers a delightful hour on the beach or in the garden.