Lisa Lena. By Edward Jenkins. 2 vols. (Sampson Low and
Co.)—If we regard this book strictly from the literary point of view, there can be little doubt but that the first volume is a mistake. Lisa Lena, the trapezist, is the real heroine of the story, and it matters but very little how she came to follow this profession. Nevertheless, the first volume has some good writing, and especially powerful descrip- tion in it. The opening scene is striking, and there are some good sketches of scenery and life in the Southern States. As to the mys- tery of "Lisa Lena's " family, it is not very skilfully contrived, for it is hard to understand, without exciting the curiosity that would be inclined to try. But when the girl begins to perform, the narrative is very striking. It becomes evident that we are seeing real things; and the reality, though it is not pleasing or attractive, has a strangely strong interest. There is much in it that bears out the statement of a tale not long ago noticed in these columns, under the title, we think, of " White Slaves," and the narrative touches one or two very painful points. Is it really true that a Berlin or Vienna manager would promptly dismiss any danseuse who repulsed the attention of profli- gate men of fashion ? Would the managers of the opera-houses do this ? There must be some one who knows. We do not know whether we should recommend this book to young women, though they often read things much more open to objection ; but there is a passage dealing with the present fashion of skin-tight dresses which every enthusiastic follower of a silly and indecent fashion should read. Mr. Jenkins writes as well as usual, though he is here and there a little careless. Does he think that " acolyte" and " proselyte " mean the same ? or are Baptist ministers in the south so ritualistic that they are followed to the tank by their " acolytes ?"
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