On Nothing and Kindred Subjects. By H. Belloc. (Methuen and
Co. 5s. net.)—We like Mr. Belloc best when he is literary, or, we might say, romantic. "On an Unknown Country" may be described by the first epithet ; "On a Faery Castle" by the second. The sense of beauty in words and in things is finely expressed in the one and the other. "In a Southern Harbour" belongs to the latter. These three come together towards the close of the volume. But they want not a little getting at if the reader is conscientious about skipping. Of Mr. Belloe's satire we have no very high opinion. Some one may suggest that he makes fun of things which we respect. But if we are not pleased we might at least be hurt, and we are not hurt. If it is a pleasant sensation to be stroked, it is at least rousing to be stung, and we do not feel the sting. Whether this is because the skin is thick or because the implement is blunt is more than we can say.
Previous page
