The Ultramarines. By Colonel A. (Smith, Elder, , and Co. 6s.)—We
have not often read a better account of the life which clusters round Government House in a British Colony than is given in this story. Mr. Anthony Hope drew Government House scenes in "Half a Hero," but his description did not happen to be so thorough as this. The story is written with humour, with the full knowledge which makes reticence possible, with irony which is never unpleasant, and with something like wit in certain passages. The author professes to give a composite picture of Colonial life, and therefore it would be vain to speculate on the identity of Ultramarine. It is perhaps fair, however, to say that the island is rather like Mauritius. The stupid Earl who is sent out to write a Report on the sugar problem, partly because the Government want to rid themselves of him at home, partly because he is an Earl, and partly because it is known that his secretary can safely be trusted to write the Report, is well drawn. But even better is his daughter, and we shall discharge our duty by saying that in addition to the instructive picture of Colonial life there is a skilfully managed love-story.
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