Inconsequent Lives. By J. H. Pearce. (W. Heinemann.)—This, according to
the author, is a " village chronicle, showing how certain folk set out for El Dorado," &c. The "El Dorado" was nothing more than such happiness as most people who live decent lives and are commonly prudent may look to attain to. Mr. Pearce apparently thinks that this is an absurd and impossible aspira- tion. Anyhow, his heroes and heroines—if these commonplace men and women may be so described—are very far from reaching it. The story is, in short, an account of squalid experiences, and
is dreary beyond even the average of fin-de-siOcle tales.—King
Billy of Ballarat, and other Stories. By Morley Roberts. (Lawrence and Bullen.)—We cannot say that these stories are always, or even
commonly, pleasant reading, but there is vigour about them. The humour has an effective extravagance ; the tragedy has a genuine look. " The Bull of Santa Rosa " is fun of the true American type, and " The Story of Raw-Hide River" full of very lurid colour. " Mithridates the King" is, we venture to say, extremely improbable. Two subordinates in an English Government office simultaneously attempting to poison an unpopular superior, makes too enormous a demand on our faith. This story somewhat injures the rest, which depend, in a way, for their effect on their general credibility.—Tent and Bungalow. By the Author of " Indian Idylls." (Methuen and Co.)—These are stories, for the most part, of the seamy side of Anglo-Indian life. It would he rash to say that they are not true—life everywhere has a seamy side—but whether they are worth reading is another matter. They are just the cynical kind of stuff which furnishes an appropriate feuilleton for " society " papers.
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