23 OCTOBER 1897, Page 26

Angus Murray. By Helen Davis. (Swan Sonnenschein and Co.)—The life

to which Miss Davis holds up the mirror is life in Australia. The reflection is not attractive, and we can only hope that the mirror distorts. Surely the scene in which Lynne Sarsfield, the heroine, masquerades as Madame L'Estrange is impossible. The hero, if he may be so called, is drawn with some skill,—a man who has weakened his will by excess, and is bound by a miserable necessity deteriora sequi. Miss Davis might chasten her style with advantage. "Kisses all on fire," and "blood burning with a fury that maddens," and such like phrases do not make a strong book.