29 NOVEMBER 1879, Page 23

Le File Naturel. By Alexandre Dames, Fils. Translated by T.

Louis Oxley. (Kerby and Endean.)—This is a really striking play, dealing with its subject in a way that will command the respect and sympathy of every right-feeling reader. Mr. Oxley's translation is generally to be commended, though he is not sufficiently independent. We do not think the " tu" of French colloquial language can be rendered by "thou." Mothers and fathers do not say "thou" and 4' thee" to their children. On p. 131, "I discarded all the thoughts of a profession," should surely be "of a confession."