6 MAY 1893, Page 28

Constance. By F. C. Philips. 3 vols. (Ward and Downey.)

—This is a "society novel" of the regulation pattern. Three thin loosely printed volumes, which might have been compressed into one, are anyhow easy to read, and do admirably well to fill up a library book-box. The subject we hardly need describe. There is only one topic that seems to interest the public for which those books are written. Mr. Philips brings himself up to date by flavouring his tale with a dash of hypnotism. He writes better than most society novelists, and would be worth reading if he would take a subject that would interest men and women of sense.