The New Christians. By Percy White. (Hutchinson and Co. 684—The
real name of the sect designated by Mr. Percy White in his novel as the New Christians is quite easy to guess. But Mr. White has invented an original genesis and a new prophet for his sect, and has made a very amusing story out of the whole thing. The character of the high priest of the sect, Eustace Penner, is specially well drawn. The man is to some extent a preposterous humbug, but his intentions are good, and, as he says in the last scene, "If I had been a woman, probably I should have quite deceived myself—being a man, I couldn't." The selfish, worldly old man, Mr. Selby, is another well-drawn personage, and his description of the principal member of the sect of Now Christians, " She looks like a smart Madonna," is decidedly happy. Mr. White is less successful with his women, and neither the "smart Madonna" herself, nor the titular heroine of the book, Octavia Lee, are particularly convincing. The great lady who is so easily gulled by the sacred stones—repudiated by the New Christians—is much more amusingly drawn. The particular atmosphere of spiritual bustle with which she contrives to surround herself is happily conveyed, and her" miraculous cures" are well described. Mr. White has most cleverly handled a theme which as a subject for fiction bristles with difficulties. A few touches more and the book would be in bad taste. The touches are, however, withheld, and the result is a sparkling satire, which will amuse without offending readers who like to hear of the foibles of fashionable religious fads.
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