Griff of Grilithscourt. By Helen Mathers. (Methuen and Co. 6s.)
—There are a verve and "go" about Miss Mathers's writing which make the reader excuse her many shortcomings. And it must be confessed that this present book has no lack of shortcomings to excuse. The English is not irreproachable and the whole story is frankly vulgar. The characters, too, are none of them attractive, but it is impossible to deny that they have a certain vitality. Whether it is Elizabeth (how hard-worked is this name in fiction !), the astonishingly young mother of the hero, or Angel, the hero's lovely wife, whose soul is in her wardrobe, Miss Mathers makes us feel that these persons exist as much as the acquaintance we met last night at dinner. Although the author is very properly horrified at the passion of the beautiful Angel for clothes, it is impossible for her to hide the feminine complacency with which she describes the lovely "creations" over which that young lady rims so hopelessly into debt. These garments are described at considerable length, and there are many passages in the story which would prove exciting and instructive reading to a really earnest milliner.
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