16 NOVEMBER 1901, Page 49

The Wonder - Child. By Ethel Turner (Mrs. H. R. Carlewis). (R.T.S.

3s. Gd.)—Here we have a picture painted with very austere colours of the life of a poor settler in Australia. The family what with want of resources, drought, and other hindrances would have fared very badly but for the " Wonder-Child," who is, in fact, a youthful phenomenon, a marvel of musical skill. But you cannot count on having such a resource in the background when you settle in Australia. The Wonder-Child is somewhat in- consequent. but it is distinctly powerful. We feel the horror of the situation as we read.