ORVIETO DUST. By Wilfranc Hubbard. (Constable. 10s. 6d.).
This book contains three tales which Mr. Cimningliame-
_ Graham, in his preface, recommends to novel readers as a change from their preoccupation with " the affairs of Chelsea.". In his opening chapter the nuthor introduces us to a monk and a doctor who,'living in the little Umbrian town of Orvieto; spend much of their time in affectionate disputation about archaeology, philosophy and religion, as well as the training of a foundling boy who, having passed his babyhood in the monastery, has been adopted by the doctor and his motherly housekeeper. In order to offer his friend some possible guidance in the child's education, the monk gives the doctor two old manuscripts to read, one recording the history of an ascetic and the other that of an ordinary sensual man. Into these two stories Mr. Hubbard has woven a finely imaginative picture of life in Orvieto in the first and sixth centuries. It is questionable whether these will appeal so strongly to the average reader as the opening pages, in which the modern friar and doctor, the small boy and housekeeper, are described with such exquisite sympathy and humour. But the whole book is one of rare charm.
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