12 FEBRUARY 1921, Page 24

The Arts and Living. By John Abthorne. (Heinemann. Els.)

The author appreciates finely, and in his comments on Hazlitt and the Restoration drama he betrays both enthusiasm and learning, and one discerns in him a literary critic of real dis- tinction. It is to be hoped that he will give us some more specimens of his critiques in another volume devoted solely to this purpose, for, as may be gathered from the title, literary criticism is not the real point of this book. It is really a treatise on the application of art to life, and Mr. 'Abthorne's evident erudition and his unquestionable sincerity give weight to his words, whatever his subject.