19 SEPTEMBER 1885, Page 25

The Forked Tongue. By R. L. De Havilland. (Vizetelly.)—This novel

seems to us to be one of the attempts to acclimatise in England the Zola class of fiction. We have seldom read anything more repul- sive. A collection of the most odious men and women are brought together, and their sayings and doings related without vivacity or insight into character. The less said about such a book the better. But we may advise Mr. de Havilland, if he will quote Greek—and he is extraordinarily fond of it—to be more careful about it.