22 DECEMBER 1883, Page 22

The Fan. By Octave Irzanne. (Nimmo and Bain.)—This is a

book of elegant trifling, making pretensions to learning which are not always justified (as when Heliogabalas is described as the son. of Caracalla), but quite frank in what we may call its indifference to morals. The illustrations are mostly in keeping with the text, save tbat they are now and then somewhat more pronounced in the same indifference. Some must certainly be condemned when judged by any standard of decency commonly accepted in this country. The translation is ill done, though its obscurity, we must allow, isaot always to be regretted.