The Monks of Thelema. By Walter Besant and James Rice.
3 vols. (Cbatto and Windus.)—The authors call their work "an invention," and the word suggests that a desire of novelty has had something to do with the shaping of their plot. The "monks of Thelema" are an association of young gentlemen and young ladies, which in- habits a fine country-house, obligingly lent by the owner, and has one guiding principle for its existence,—that every one is to do exactly as he pleases. This part of the novel, if we may be allowed to speak of an "invention" as a novel, is only moderately entertaining. We could indeed have dispensed with this novelty altogether, if a novelty it can be called, for it is of coarse the old " Hell-fire Club" of Lord Sandwich and John Wilkes, transmuted into nineteenth - century decency and politeness- The really amusing part of the book is to be found in the ludicrous failure of Alan Dunlop to ameliorate the condition of the villagers on his property. One could not wish to see enthu- siasm more admirably ridiculed. After all, the best criticism that we can pass upon this story is that it was admirably suited to the pages of the periodical in which it first appeared. In the picture of life thoroughly pleasant and perfectly luxurious, untroubled by any responsibilities, never invaded by satiety, undisturbed by jealousy, and safe from the selfish passions which will intrude into the best defended paradise, the aspirations of a worldling's better nature find their ideal; while that which is worse finds a satisfaction that is not
too grossly cynical in the kindly satire directed against those who are not content with acknowledging social wrongs, but madly try to set them right. By the way, what now Classical scandal is this, about Anchises and "white-limbed Thetis ?"
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