Paul Jones's Alias. By David Christie Murray and Henry Herman.
(Chatto and Windus.)—One and one do not make two in literature. Add Mr. Herman to Mr. D. C. Murray (whom we take to be one of the very best novelists of the day), and we do not get the proportionately larger result that might be expected. Here are five tales, readable and clever, but not so notably good as to show an adequate return for the literary ability that must have been expended upon them. The first of the five, which gives a title to the book, and the third, " Sweetbriar in Town," will, we fancy, be the favourites. "Paul Jones's Alias" bears a certain family resemblance to Mr. Murray's "Bit of Human Nature." The unlikely person in whom the good shows itself is a professional gambler, a man who lives by his wits, but who has a soft place in his heart for his little girl. The little girl herself is a delightful crea. tion. No one will be able to read without interest about the simple artist; and even the swaggering Major rouses a sneaking feeling of kindness. In the second of the stories that we have mentioned, Ida is a very gracious figure. Lord St. Cyres, a nobleman of the Marquis of Steyne species, though perhaps on the verge of carica- ture, is an effective personage. Two artists have lent their aid to this composite work. But who is responsible for the design on the cover ? We have never seen a more conspicuous example of "signboard art."
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