30 JUNE 1888, Page 42

An Adventuress, by Francis Addison (Ward and Downey), begins with

two murders achieved and one murder attempted, and its early chapters are, therefore, full of promise for readers who love condiments. As the provision of these condiments appears to be "the writer's end," to which the golden rule of Pope tells us the critic must always pay special regard, we are bound to say that this end is very satisfactorily achieved. It is true that characters and incidents are either improbable or impossible; but probability and possibility matter little to the readers to whom Mr. Addison appeals.