18 FEBRUARY 1905, Page 22

characters are mostly engaged in making an excellent, though agitated,

living out of the one great "ruined industry" which the Fiscal campaign has brought to light,—the trade of the smuggler.

Although the book is full of adventures, it is not very excit-

ing reading, because the smugglers are all persons in whom it is very difficult to take the slightest interest. Those readers, however, who like a series of rather disconnected sea adventures will doubtless enjoy The Man at Odds, for the incidents are described with spirit, and Mr. Ernest Rhys has a certain gift for picturesque writing.

His Young Importance. By Ralph H. Bretherton. (W. Heinemann. 6s.)—There is a great deal of close analysis of