Mount Despair, and other Stories. By David Christie Murray. (Chatto
and Windua.)—Beyond the fact that it contains six short stories, instead of, what we should have by far preferred, one long one, there is nothing to disappoint us in this volume. The short story hardly gives a writer the chance of showing himself at his very best ; but, this being allowed for, "Mount Despair" and its companions are not unworthy of Mr. D. C. Murray. The first tale is constructed on well-known lines,—true love triumphant under difficulties. George Freedom is a fine young hero, quite worthy of his good luck ; but Mr. Jonas Cadbury is the finer sketch, as far as character-drawing is concerned. The four tales that follow are slighter in texture. "The Ghosts' Opera" is the the only one that we are inclined to criticise. It is a little too marvellous. The last, "The Fleshly Raiment," is certainly the best in the book. It is a singularly skilful satire on the marvels of theosophy, the precipitated letters, and all the other trickery of the game. The pair of bearded impostors, one of venerable aspect, and one of a cleverer and more vulgar type, are quite admirable pictures, and the dOnouement of the story is excellently well managed. Mr. Murray's story ought to do something towards exploding this portentous sham. But people who have left themselves nothing to believe but this will resist conviction to the last.
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