4 JULY 1903, Page 24

Elizabeth's Children. (John Lane. 6s.)—If the anonymous author of Elizabeth's

Children had published the book before "Helen's Babies" made its appearance, the novel would have been more striking. In this sort of story the praise goes to the author who has the idea first, and "Helen's Babies" is quite an old book. As to the treatment of the theme, plus e'est different, plus east is name chose,—a quotation which is entirely appropriate in a notice of this book, as the "children" are half French. Readers who are too young to remember "Helen's babies" may be recommended to read about "Elizabeth's children." Older people will be apt to imagine that they laughed more over those little Americans than it is possible to do over these little French boys.