26 JANUARY 1901, Page 46

Roses of Plestum. By Edward McCurdy. (George Allen. 3s. IA.

net.)—Mr. McCurdy's essays are graceful, refined, and rather un- interesting. He has joined that body of writers who endeavour to express in words the diversified beauty of Italy, and frequently, as in his pages on "Undiscovered Islands," he achieves an answering beauty of words. But one looks in vain for the im- press of a personality, for something that is not a passable echo of Mr. Pater or Vernon Lee ; and if an essayist lacks personality he lacks the one thing indispensable.