13 NOVEMBER 1920, Page 23

In his interesting book of verse (Poems, Sanset, 4fr. Sc.)

M Bideau appears to combine the simplicity of Id. Francis Jammes and the compassion of AL Duhamel with a cynicism all his own. His vers fibres, unlike those of many of his con- temporaries, are successful, and his longer verses never develop into mere prose poems. "La Libellule," "Illusions," "Les Lumieres " and " Yvonne " arc interestingly new, while "Pantoum," written in the manner of Pausehr, is as charming as any of his :— "Par Is fenetre grande ouverte J'entends des souffles &pais& Bile dansera decouverte Et see pas soront des baisers.

J'entends des souffles apaises Montant eomme on regret due chess, Et see pas wont des baisers Sur un tapis sense de roses. . . ."