CURRENT LITERATURE.
In dealing with the Universal Review for August, it is necessary to speak first of the pictures, for they are always its chief feature. In the present number, the most remarkable are those illustrating Mr Julian Corbett's "Jezebel,"—a somewhat grotesque attempt to whitewash the wife of Ahab. Clever, affected, and ugly are perhaps the words that express them best. There is a certain parade of Phoenician archaeology in some of the drawings ; but it can hardly be said that the artists have very successfully managed their Sidonian local colour. The Jezebel who is sitting at her balcony, with something which looks like an eye-glass, but which is pro- bably meant for a rose, in her hand, evidently often sat as a model to the late Mr. Rossetti, for the familiar hair, mouth, nose, and eyes are all there. Still, she is the least offensive of the four pictures, which, for all their artistic trickiness and effrontery, are in reality not very attractive. The article on "Protection in France," by Mr. Robert Donald, is a very able and important review of the condition to which the fiscal policy pursued in France during the last ten years has reduced the industries of the Republic. If any Englishmen are still inclined to adopt Fair-trade, they cannot do better than study this most instructive article, which, if the Secretary of the Cobden Club is wise, he will get the editor's permission to re- publish as a pamphlet. " Essays on Life " by "* * * * " is brightly written, but somehow lacks the charm which Mr. Stevenson gives to such occasional writing.
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