2 FEBRUARY 1907, Page 21

Ian of the °modes. By Wilfred Campbell. (Oliphant, Ander- son,

and Ferrier. 65.)—Mr. Campbell is a poet. Had we not other good reasons for knowing it, we might guess as much from this book. It is written in poetical prose, and does not lack imagination, touches of vivid description, and colour, mostly of a lurid tinge. But we must frankly say that these are not things that go to the making of a good novel. There seems to be some- thing like a mist over the whole story. The Earl, the sinister priest Father Angus, and Ian himself move about very dimly seen figures, talking much in a highly ornate style, but doing very little. The scene is remote—the Scottish Highlands in the days of Robert III.—the persons unfamiliar, the private interest very slight.