Black Diamonds. By Maurice JOIcai. (Jarrold and Sons.)— This is
a remarkable story. So much we can see qnite plainly, though there is much in it that it is not for every reader to appreciate or even to understand. No small portion of the volume is occupied with the technicalities of coal mining. These are such as only specially qualified readers can enter into. Then again there is another considerable portion which it requires some acquaintance with Austro-Hungarian politics to under- stand. Most of us have a general idea that there is not much love lost between Budapest, from which place Dr. JOkai Mori dates his authorisation of this translation, and Vienna. Still, after allowance made for technicalities, mining or political, there is some admirable matter left, fine drawing of character, and the evolution of an interesting drama of life. We cannot help thinking that the scene in the vaults of the castle, which has been highly praised in some quarters, is farcical ; but there are many things in the book which reach a very high level indeed. The tale has had the advantage of being presented to the English reader in an admirable translation from the pen of Miss Frances Gerard.
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