20 NOVEMBER 1915, Page 34

Mr. A, Benson in the preface to Escape (Smith, Elder,

and Co., 6s. net) gives his reasons for publishing a book of essays which were written in days of peace, and are far removed from the problems which are filling all our minds. They are admirable reasons, and they are, on the whole, admirable essays. Mr. Benson never plunges us into psycho- logical depths which prove, after all, to be mere tempera- mental shallows, or bewilders us with extravagant brilliancy and paradox. His work ie like the quiet talk, across a dinner- table, of a man who is a scholar and, above all, a gentleman, whose outlook is wide, well balanced, and discerning, who admits us, now and again, to little secret paths of privileged intimacy, telling us of his " dreams " and of his " authorship."