30 JULY 1904, Page 22

The Earthly Purgatory. By L. Dougall. (Hutchinson and Co. 6s.)—Romance

of quite a different stamp from that which belongs to the historical novel distinguishes this story of Northern Georgia. As the book is practically a " murder story," it is rather a feat for the author to have endued it with any poetic flavour at all ; but the story is shot through and through with the

romance belonging to open-air life on the mountains. The mystery is an ingenious one; but it is a little difficult to believe completely in Miss Claxton, the heroine, who is a very great deal too good to live. The author has not succeeded in making her attitude of mind quite convincing, though it is possible by a severe " act of faith " for the reader to persuade himself to find her reported actions credible.