CURRENT LITERATURE
FLORENCE UPTON, PAINTER. By the Hon. Mrs. Alfred Lyttelton. (Longmans. 7s. 13d.)—On the wrapper of this book is written Florence Upton, Painter," just above the reproduction of a golliwog hugging in its hideous embrace a googley-eyed Dutch doll. The description " Painter " was well chosen, for it implies, according to Webster, "one skilled in representing things in colours." The creation of this concrete nightmare of a golliwog, not the least of Florence Upton's claims to fame, was the work of a painter, not of an artist. No artist could wish to encourage children to have a taste for the grotesque rather than for the beautiful. It is a comparatively easy matter to guide a child's taste in the right direction, but it is by no means easy to counteract an early habit of preferring something ugly to something beautiful. Florence Upton was responsible for a great deal when she made this unhappy invention.
Dame Edith Lyttelton, however, did not write her life of Miss Upton in order to discuss the merits or demerits cf golliwogs, but rather to make her friend a reality to those who were not fortunate enough to know her. Miss Upton was a sensitive, self-depreciative, introspective and obviously delightful woman, and the author has succeeded in making her live for us and in telling the story of her psychical life. It is indeed interesting and illuminating to watch Florence Upton transformed through her mental experiences "from an unhappy woman to a happy one ; from an introspective and lonely creature to a gay and expansive companion, who possessed many friends ; from a soul groping in darkness to an ardent spiritual believer, warm with faith and hope." We cannot enter into the question of the reality of these experiences, but can commend the book as being eminently readable and written with sympathy and insight.
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