[Illustration]
The particular Baronitess to whom the Baron handed over _The Holy
Estate_ (a novel in three volumes, by two authors, W. H. WILKINS and
FRANK THATCHER, published by HUTCHINSON & CO.), says that in explanation
it is called by its authors "a study in morals," but where the morals
come in or come out it would be difficult to say. Apparently, in the
majority of the characters, there is a singular lack of any virtuous
quality. A young innocent girl marries a gay soldier and goes out to
India. Here she finds herself placed in a land where principles are
decidedly at a discount. Her husband turns out, to put it mildly, a
blackguard (with a big, big "B"), and his friends are of the same
fascinating type. In a typical, melodramatic, "Adelphi villain," there
is something almost wholesome as compared with the modern bad man of
"_Yellow-Book_" fiction, who is simply revolting. [By the way,
interpolates the Baron, the latest _Yellow Book_ is comparatively quite
decorous and without an Aubrey-Beardsley illustration!!] Of course, the
hero and heroine of _The Holy Estate_ have to pass through the fiery
ordeal of Indian Society; how they come out of it the reader may
discover. But as pessimism is the artistic order of the day, they are
not allowed to finish well and "live happy ever afterwards." My
Baronitess adds, with a frown, "It cannot be called pleasant reading,
nor is there in it any sign of the genius of a DAUDET or a ZOLA which
might be accepted as, in some sort, a literary excuse for its being
brought into existence."
(Signed) THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.
* * * * *
As Broad as Long.
_First Critic._ Shortness now rules in Novel and in Song,
Which, like men's clothes, are cut and made to order.
_Second Critic._ It may be Tale and Lay are now less long,
But they make up for it by growing broader.
* * *
SPORTING PARADOX.--ROSEBERY was more of a "favourite" when he was an
"outsider." Perhaps, like his _Sir Visto_, when an outsider again--which
he seems likely soon to be--he will be safer to back for a "place," if
not for an absolute win.
* * *
BEST SOLUTION OF MINISTERIAL DIFFICULTIES.--_Dis_solution.
* * * * *
[Illustration: A FORTIORI.
_Mamma._ "NOT ASLEEP YET, GEORGE?"
_George._ "NO; I CAN'T GET TO SLEEP BECAUSE JACK SAYS HE'S GOT CRUMBS IN
HIS BED. HE COULDN'T MAKE MORE FUSS IF IT WAS THE WHOLE LOAF!"]
* * * * *