11 MARCH 1905, Page 24

Cut Laurels. By M. Hamilton. (W. Heinemann. 6s.)—Cut Laurels is

also an Irish story, but of a very different type from the novel noticed above. Miss Hamilton's novel might have its scene laid in any part of the British Islands ; "Julia" is not conceivable except as a story of Ireland. Cut Laurels, too, though it ends well, is, in the true sense of the word, a tragedy. Katharine, the heroine, is very well drawn, and the author cleverly suggests in her portrait the effect of the commonplace elements which intrude themselves into all tragedies of modern everyday life. The book, though sad, is eminently readable, and the characters are most carefully studied.