25 FEBRUARY 1928, Page 28

THE FIRM HAND. By Harold Bindloss. (Ward, Lock. 7s. 6d.)—The

%order country of Northumbria and Scotland, and Canada provide the background for Mr. Bindloss's new story. To tell the truth, the background is of as much importance as the story proper. Life m the Dales and the wild land once crossed by the Roman Wall is admirably depicted, and the reader is 'made to feel the rhythm of the seasons. Canadian lumber-camps are perhaps commonplace by contrast, though here, too, Mr. Bindloss's descriptive powers have their charm. But the characters of the story are much less interesting and the dialogue stilted.