20 FEBRUARY 1904, Page 22

V.C. By David Christie Murray. (Chatto and Windus. 35. 6d.)--Mr.

Christie Murray's book reads like the first rough sketch for a novel, and is far too slight to do justice to its theme. Its appearance is, however, very timely, as it is impossible at this moment to read even the word "Crimea" without interest. Unfortunately the battle scenes in the book are both perfunctory and conventional. It is a pity that the author did not take the trouble to elaborate his story, as in its present form it is scarcely worth reading.