OTHER NOVELS
May Fair. By Michael Arlen. (Collins. 7s. (id. net.)—' After the little review of this volume thoughtfully provided' by the -author on the title-page, there remains little to be commented upon by the critic, except that Mr. Arlen's writing is very " smart." If he could only refrain from a super-. abundance of epigrams his studies would be much easier; reading. As it is, there is a sameness of manner in them, which, in spite of the divergence of their themes, wearies the reader, and the best way to attack the book is not to read; more than one paper in any period of twenty-four hours. The most original of the stories is the last one. In this, finding, that the party is accidentally to number thirteen, the butler; 'is sent out into the street to bring in someone to avoid this 0 catast-iophe, and a charming' gentleman enters announced as " Captain Charity." He happens to be the Devil, and his' manners, 'as, indeed, we are all quite sure would be the case, are delightful. No one-can say that the appearance of the Prince of Darkness is not a fitting end to -Mr. Arlen's studies of the quarter of London which is the object of his satirical studies. The book may be recommended to persons living quiet lives in the country, who wish to congratulate themselves on not being members of " Society."
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