17 JUNE 1876, Page 23

Too Fair to Go Free. By H. ff. Willoughby. 3

vols. (S. Tinsley.) —Mr. Willoughby's purpose is excellent, but we cannot give high• praise to his work. Till he can command more skill, he should choose less painful subjects. He commits the groat artistic mistake of revealing his purpose too clearly at the beginning of his story. There can be no doubt about the destiny of the young woman whom "you would choose as a model for a Phryne, a Cleopatra, or a Venus," and who, indeed, indicates so plainly her readiness to make unscrupulous use of her beauty. There are occasional indications of power in the book, enough to make us willing to meet Mr. Willoughby again, under more favourable circumstances.