Mothers and Fathers. By Mrs. Maxwell Armfield (Constance Smedley). (Chatto
and Windus. 6s.)—This book somewhat resembles in ideals Mrs. Armfield's novel, " Service." It also recalls the former work in its scheme, being concerned with the destinies of the different members of a large family. It has many faults of construction, the reader in each chapter being not quite sure with which group of characters ho is concerned, and whether only a day or two or a period of years has elapsed since the end of the preceding chapter. As a study of life, the earlier part of the volume is admirable, the picture of Mr. and Mrs. Maddox being extraordinarily well drawn. The manner in which they try bard to be companions to their children, and only succeed in being restrictive forces on their intercourse with everyone else, is very cleverly described. We have no dislike of long novels, but the present work really covers too much ground. The characters change so greatly in the course of time that the reader finds it difficult to retain his interest in any of them. This may be exceedingly like life, but it cannot be called good literary construction. A series of experiences written down with- out a definite plan, and with developments which are not inevitable, may constitute an interesting book, but hardly makes an artistic or successful novel.
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