15 SEPTEMBER 1923, Page 22

The author of these volumes is ' with Jacinto Benavente, the

leader of the modern Spanish drama. There is not an exact equivalent to his manner among our English playwrights, though Barrie, without his gift of fantasy, is a possible make- shift. But the Southerner is never sentimental. As Mr. Granville-Barker says, "he writes like a gentleman," and, it is important to note, a Spanish gentleman. He has not a speculative mind, but within the limits of pure comedy invests the ancient human emotions with a significance which is true to the sane and happy moments of life. Four of the plays are translated admirably by Mr. and Mrs. Granville- Barker. Mr. Underhill's versions do not read with quite the same felicity.