Dr. Wainwright's Patient. By Edmund Yates. 3 vols. (Chapman and
Hall.)—Mr. Yates continues to produce with an industry which may be compared to that of the spider, and his work, if the substance of it be somewhat thin, is, at all events, skilfully constructed. The novel before us leaves little impression upon us beyond that of general clever- ness and smartness, and though it is not in the least wearisome to read, it is not the sort of book that one cares to read again. As to the tale itself, it is of but slight interest. "Dr. Wainwright's patient" is a shadowy sort of person, who does not move us to care very much what becomes. of her. Paul Derinzy and his love affairs are somewhat more exciting, but the cynical immorality of the old roué who attempts to rob him of his fiancee is too coarsely drawn, a criticism to which the character of the young lady herself is certainly open. Mr. Yates knows the tastes of those for whom he writes, and has doubtless good reasons for believing that the virgines puerique do not constitute an audience which he cam address with success. Certainly his book is not meant for them, and though we have not the least idea of calling it immoral, which, judged by any reasonable standard, it certainly is not, we are old-fashioned enough to prefer a tale which we can leave about without caution. Oa one point, however, we think that Mr. Yates is certainly to blame, and that is the tendency to spice his narratives by personal allusions. No one can mistake the person intended by the description of the Grand Duke of Schweinerei, with his passion for diamonds, a description which is anything but complimentary.
Previous page
