Plays. By Anton Tchekoff. (Duckworth and Co. 6s.)—The eight plays
in this book and the four published by Messrs. Duckworth in 1912 represent the whole of the dramatic writings of Tchekoff. It is matter for congratulation that all his plays can now be read in the English language. Tchekoff already holds a high place in the opinion of the scmewbat select and exclusive circle that favours the " intellectual " drama, but there is a charm in his humour, in his delicate writing and the humanness of his characterization that should win him a wider audience. The new volume contains two four-act plays, The Cherry Orchard, considered to be his masterpiece, and The Three Sisters, similar in idea to the former, but of course very different in story. The rest with one exception are farces. That exception, On the High Road, is marked by some brilliant character-drawing. Of the farces we enjoyed most The Bear and The Proposal. All abound in high spirits, which with the Russian is frequently to be interpreted as horseplay, but the fun is very infectious.
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