14 MAY 1904, Page 23

What We Dream. By Frances Harrod. (Duckworth and Co. 6s.)—This

is a good specimen of the novel of the day, the books that were once written for our pleasure, but now are obviously intended for a penance. We say "good" because it shows much ability. The parish priest, the miser, and Shula are all vividly painted figures ; but the impression left by the whole is exceed- ingly painful. This class of tale is really a very curious phenomenon. Is it a sign of degeneracy ? Or is it simply the old national characteristic coming out, that we English take our pleasures very sadly ?