20 JANUARY 1906, Page 21

To Modern Maidens. By a Modern Matron. (Simpkin, Marshall, and

Co. 3s. 6d. net.)—There is abundance of sound sense in this volume, expressed with no little eloquence, though a little strained in tone now and then. The "Modern Matron" discourses on life, spiritual and physical, on love, on the employments of women, and on the verities of religion. She recognises the facts of modern existence, not perhaps without some regret, but frankly and courageously. We cannot accept all her conclusions, but we can see that she is on the "right side." One utterance we venture to criticise. "The conflict between love and duty is a favourite theme for novels and the drama, but in realiby no such conflict is possible." We are not concerned to defend novels, still less the drama, but surely there are some obvious cases of such conflict. A betrothed woman, to give one of not uncommon occurrence. may find herself confronted by an unexpected duty to father or mother.