30 SEPTEMBER 1911, Page 23

publication might almost be a cants Patience Thaile—her Christian name

is chosen on the /ucus a non lucendo principle—is so dissatisfied with her home, spoilt as it is by a selfish and dilettante father, that she goes to live with a German family in a garrison town. There she finds much to please her; there is a -certain simplicity of life, the music is admirable, she is herself the object of a very general admiration. She cannot, indeed, :avoid seeing that woman's position is not what she thinks it should be; but she flatters herself that she can shape lier own life 'better, and she marries, not without misgiving, a military admirer. 'Then she finds out what "her husband's country" really is, so :far as her sex is concerned. She is in some respects better off than her neighbours. Her husband is superior to his comrades, but this does not prevent him from being a tyrant and a -profligate. This is a painful book to read, and we are not sure that it was well to write it. But its exceptional ability demands some notice.