3 FEBRUARY 1923, Page 22

TEMPERAMENTAL HENRY. By Samuel Merwin. (Allen and Unwin. 7s. 6d.

net.)—Mr. Merwin misleads us by his title and his publishers by their dust-cover. Actually his. new novel is a careful, urbane and ironic study of an_ erotic American youth, Henry Calverley. Henry is egocentric and artistic ; he has vague aspirations and a certain ability to impress himself upon less temperamental' people. But, during his adolescence (and in this novel we see him only in adolescence), his periods of energy and success synchronize. with the flattering- of his vanity by some soothing amour. Doubtless we shall see more of him : the inhabitants of his "home town" expect much of him, and we expect no less.