8 DECEMBER 1883, Page 20

May Fair opens with the first instalment of a tale

from the pen of M.hmile Zola. This, so far as it goes, is quite inoffensive ; but it reveals the capability of becoming quite volcanic. This quiet Theritse may develope into anything. Mr. Justin H. McCarthy contributes a very readable account of "The Life of Francois Villon." The short stories do not particularly impress us. There is undoubted truth in some of the arguments urged in "A University Career." But the control of a student's expenditure is not an easy matter. As for limiting the amount recoverable in the' Vice.Chancellor's Court, it would be an entirely nugatory precaution. It is not on that means of recovery that the blood-sucking tradesmen depend. But the writer is evidently not quite up to University matters, or he would not make "Lord Dashaway" and "James Trmnpington " date from "" Ch. Ch. Coll."