A Modern Antaeus. By the Writer of "An Englishwoman's Love-Letters."
(John Murray. 6s.)—Was this story written to show how nearly Mr. George Meredith's manner could be copied? Anyhow, the result is an interesting book, though some readers will be deterred by the studied'obscurities of the style. Even the names seem founded on those used by the master ; Harriet Jane must surely have been derived from Carinthia Jane, though it has not such a good rhythm. Tristram, "the Modern Antaeus," was a regular pickle as a boy, but as he grew older the sad and terrible things of life came much in his way, and he began to fight against them. In spite of the affectation of some of the writing, the people and places become real as one reads on, and the wind and rain of the countryside about Randogger Forest refresh one. The story is rather loosely strung together. At first Doris, the Sage, and the eft nurse are important characters ; then their places are taken by Lady Petwyn, Raymond, and Liz. This would not matter so much if Tristram dominated the book, but this he fails of doing, and only shares the interest with the others. To him the rhythm of the song of the open road was sweeter than any other, but he wore himself out in the struggle between man and Nature, "and, of course, at the root of it all, as ever where youth and hot blood are concerned, woman was the mischief " ; but if he had lived a woman might have made the world a happier place for him.
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