The Oldest God. By Stephen McKenna. (Thornton and Butterworth. 7s.
0d. net.)—Though in the '90's it was considered dashing to hazard that Pan and Satan were one and the same, the suggestion seems a little forced and trivial to-day. Mr. McKenna asks his readers to assume that Pan and Satan, combined in one human form, recently joined a band of wealthy people at a Christmas house-party. This dangerous person concealed a cloven hoof, one only, in his - shoe, and diffused a rather strong animal odour. No sooner had he arrived than most of the members of the party gave up t; smoking and drinking in favour of unabashed licentiousness, though ultimately the Satanic presence was removed and a semblance of decency restored. Mr. MCKenna tells his tale most skilfully, and almost compels the reader to a transitory credulity. But so very amateurish a devil as his, able only to confound already lost souls, would never have been worthy of the poniard of a cherub let alone the sword of the Archangel Gabriel. •
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