'Twixt Hammer and Anvil. By Frank L.e! Benedict. 3 vols.
(Samuel Tinsley.)—Tho scene of this novel is laid in France, and it has some- thing of the characteristics of the ordinary French noveL The real heroine of the tale, though the author probably does not mean her to be such, is Effie, Madame de Marsan. No other character is drawn with so much precision and force. Heartless and selfish, insatiably greed of admiration, she does not care what misery the causes, so long as her restless vanity is pleased. An evil fate has bound to this woman a man of sensitive feelings and great artistic gifts, but deprived, by physical disease, of some at least of the force of will which a husband so-situated needs more than any man. The " scenes" between these two are described with a vividness which is only too painfully truthful. There is another plot, in which another woman is the central figure. Here our interest is demanded for the question whether a girl whose reputation seems to be compromised by her behaviour, and by circumstances which are discovered about her, is really pure. It will be seen that the story is not of an agreeable kind. It is only fair to say that the subject is treated in the best possible spirit. Scenes of French social life are described effectively. Here and there occur situations
which indicate some dramatic power. The dialogue is good, and humour is not wanting. Altogether, this is a clever novel. There are cases in which it might well be administered as a wholesome dose, but we can scarcely recommend it for general reading.
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