The Invisible Event. By J. D. Bereeford. (Sidgwiek and Jackson.
6s.)—Much of Mr. Beresford'e book, which is the last of the trilogy concerning Jacob Stahl, and deals with the completion of his career as writer and lover, is of bitter interest to a reviewer and makes him diffident of criticism; for we are allowed, by a somewhat indirect method, to hear a novelist-reviewer, through the medium of a living novelist, expound his art, defend with no little skill the position of the realietio school, and heap contempt on all reviewers. This is a book of distinction, unhurried and well written; yet there is something lacking, some spark of fire, some unconsidered impulse, which would have thrilled us. The truth is that Mr. Beresfcrd's style is in danger of becoming laboured, and his course is so leisurely that we feel ourselves hindered in arriving at any conclusion. The two chief character's are described to us at such length by our mutual friend, the author, that we are unable to attain to any individual intimacy with them, just as a too detailed portrait seldom conveys to us the personality that we know. We do not wish to be hypercritical: but Mr. Beresford's work is so good, especially in dealing with subordinate figures, that it is a pity to mar it with over-elaboration. Incidentally he has given us a delight- ful appreciation of North Cornwall, that land which knows so well how to attraot and keep her lovers.
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