Her Own Polk. By Hector Malot. Translated from the French
by Lady Mary Loyd. (W. Heinemann.) —This is a translation, and, as far as the style is concerned—the original we have not seen—a good translation, of M. Malot's "En Famine." We are introduced to a French manufacturing village, something like our own Saltaire. The heroine is the instrument of working a great reform. She teaches the master of this huge hive of workers the lesson of human sympathy. Just he had always been ; but he had to learn mercy. We will not attempt to epitomise the story. It would not be fair, even if it were possible. It is developed with much skill, and though the result is almost romantic, one can never say of this or that incident that it is im- probable. And there is some excellent drawing of character. The episodes of Perrine in the abandoned hut, where, driven away by the foul air of the lodging which she has taken, she finds a shelter, is particularly good. What would not one think of an English girl who could so accommodate herself to circum- stances!
Previous page
