3 FEBRUARY 1912, Page 24

READABLII NOVELB.—Merle of the Wessex Hills. By C. IL Hay

(H. G. Common, Bournemouth. es. ed. not.)—Not much of a story but with some good impressions of country life.—The Wilderness By Joseph Hocking. (Hodder and Stoughton. 3s. 6(1)-1 vigorous story of the "Claimant" type.—The Oldbury People circa A.D. 1900. By Arthur Ransom. (Stephen Swift and Co: 6s.)—A "conversation" novel, good of its kind.—Young Beck. By M. M'Donnoll Bodkin. (T. Fisher Unwin. 6s.)—Some good. detective stories.