The 'Half Moon.' By Ford Madox Hueffer. (Eveleigh Nash. 68.) — Mr.
Hueffer has contrived to transfer some of the charm which lives in the steep old streets of the town of Rye to the pages of his novel. The opening of the story is delightful, and, the account of Hudson the navigator and his methods of selecting his shipmates is also most picturesque and convincing. Tho figure of the heroine, Anne Jeal, is, however, less successful. It is extremely difficult for the modern reader to persuade himself of the efficacy of Anne's witchcraft, and the coincidence of Edward Colman's attacks of sickness with the sweating of Anne's "waxen man" is simply incredible, The end is also weak ; and the Portrait of Edward Colman's Dutch wife, Magdalena, is too thinly outlined to make any definite impression on the reader. As a series of richly coloured historical pictures, however, the book may be warmly commended. The description of Anne Joal's visit to London and sojourn in the Tower, and the account of her interview with James I., are instinct with the spirit of the earliest years of the seventeenth century. The momentary portrait of the King is particularly effective. It is to be hoped that Mr. Hueffor will further extend his series of historical romances. He contrives with singular art to avoid the method of writing which Stevenson so happily described as " tusberie." At the same time, there is nothing modern about his work, and the conversation of his characters never jars upon the reader.
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