19 DECEMBER 1931, Page 26

New Novels

PRINCE JALI. By L. H. Myers. (Jonathan Cape. 7s. 6d.) In The Near and the Far Mr. Myers gave us the story of Rajah Amar, who ruled a small principality under the suze- rainty of Emperor Akbar. The present volume, although a sequel to the first, can be read and appreciated by itself. Prince Jali is the young son of Rajah Arnar, and, unknown to his parents, he leads a secret life—both spiritual and physical. A boy of unusual intelligence, he is eager for know- ledge ; this desire to learn leads him into a disastrous intrigue with the lovely but worthless Gunevati. Prince Jail knows that she possesses hidden knowledge in the realms of love and Cunevati plays upon his curiosity. She disappears after attempting to poison his Brahmin teacher, whom he worships. But he again falls under her influence when he chances to meet her at the camp of the dissolute Prince Daniyal, son of Emperor Ak bar, who has established himself and his followers on a remote piece of marshy land, where they live in extravagant luxury. In a setting of great beauty move the lordly figures of Eastern potentates, and the somewhat plaintive Prince Jali, searching for reality in a world of complete artificiality. Mr.

. Myers describes Prince Jali's spiritual development with great -insight ; apart from the interest of the story itself the book should be read for the delicacy of its touch and writing.