We have not for long read a novel so thoroughly
disagreeable—at all events one written by a man who is evidently not devoid of ability—as The Syren, by Cecil Medlicott (Griffith, Ferran, Okeden, and Welsh). It would be difficult to say which of the leading characters in it is the most contemptible—Arthur Dalrymple, who marries for money and deserts his wife ; Mrs. Dalrymple, a poor, blind, limp creature ; Helen Lysaght, the shameless, vulgar adventuress and intrigante who gives her name to the story; or her gambling brother, who uses her as a decoy-duck. After a coolness caused by circumstances which would have justified Elizabeth Dalrymple in taking her husband into the Divorce Court, the two are brought together again in the lamest possible fashion. It would almost seem as if Mr. " Cecil Medlicott " had contemplated writing a realistic novel, bat had, for some reason or other, given up his intention. There is some very pronounced lovemaking between Miss Lysaght and Mr. Dalrymple ; "loose" conversation is engaged in on board the Syron,' a, yacht which may contest with Miss Lysaght the dubious honour of giving this book its title. Even the tame Elizabeth has a sort of lover, although she is too stupid to be anything but utterly innocent. Bat the French realists invariably display vigour,—the rigour of impressionist art, or of crude satire, or of mere unregulated passion. Bat there is not vigour of character-
sketching, or of any kind, in The Spree. Where it is not " risky," it is tedious in the last degree. There is really no excuse for The Syren. The Stonyhurst Latin Grammar. By the Rev. J. Gerard, S.J. (W. Blackwood and Sons.) —If the question of a general grammar is to
Previous page
