28 FEBRUARY 1920, Page 21

The Trial of II. II. Crippen. Edited by Filson Young.

(Edinburgh : Hodge. 10s. 6d.)—The new volume of tie " Notable Trials " series contains a full report of the trial of Dr. Crippen in October, 1910, for murdering his wife, with a lengthy Introduction by Mr. Filson Young. No murder in our time has excited so much attention as this. The editor develops the theory that the case illustrated " the dual nature of human character and the mystery in virtue of which acts of great moral obliquity may march with conduct above the ordinary standards." It is difficult, however, to see any peculiar merit in the conduct of Dr. Crippen before or after he committed an atrocious crime.