19 JANUARY 1889, Page 23

Hermesenda. From the Spanish of D. M. Fernandez y Gonyalez,

by "J. R." and "J. A. G." (Henry Sotheran and Co.)—This, we are told, is an attempt to bring before the public a leaf from a literature comparatively little known,—the modern Spanish novel. We cannot say that we are favourably impressed by it. The plot

of the story is too involved, and the dialogue too stilted, to afford pleasant reading. To be plain, the book is undeniably dull. Nor, indeed, is it in any way redeemed by its unsatisfactory ending. If, as the authors intimate, they intend to put before the public further specimens of this literature, we should advise them to choose a novel which is not historical. We do not think that the kind of book now before us would ever be popular in this country.