CURRENT LITERATURE.
The Pillar House. By Florence Severne. (Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co.)—This is a tale of considerable power, of the drift of which we cannot even give a hint without greatly diminishing the interest with which it will be read ; so that we will only say that it is one of those tales which depend rather on the story than the characters for its interest, and that that interest is of a high kind. The characters are sufficiently well drawn to prevent the reader from losing interest in the plot, but not so carefully studied as to transfer the interest in any degree from the plot to the characters. Peter Ralston, indeed, appears to be one of those curious creatures who think that to buy in the cheapest market is not only a wise general rule when there is nothing to be said against doing what is for the interest of your own pocket, but a universal moral obliga- tion. And his attitude of mind on this subject is rather cleverly sketched. More we cannot say without spoiling the interest with which the tale will be read. But we can heartily commend the tale to our readers, and speak well of Miss (or Mrs. ?) Severne's literary capacity, if this be, as we imagine, a first effort.
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