Occasion's Forelock. By Violet A. Simpson. (Edward Arnold. 6s.) —It
is a surprise to readers of Miss Violet Simpson's former works to find her forsaking historical fiction and embarking on the ordinary novel of society. The present writer must confess to some disappointment in reading the first few pages, having expected another example of Miss Simpson's vivid and pic- turesque descriptions of life a hundred years ago. In this book, however, the author proves that she is master of more than one medium, for although the story is perhaps not quite so remark- able as " The Sovereign Power," it is decidedly above the average. The study Of Mr. Harwich, the politician, is extremely strong and lifelike ; but the hero, Eustace Gleig, is the least successful figure in the book. The reader will sympathise with the author's evident partiality for Hugh Harwich, and will deplore the neces- sary tragedy of his fate. Although the character-drawing is good, it is not developed at the expense of the narrative portion of the story. The plot is well conceived, and the descriptions of life at Oxford and in an English country house are accurate and well observed. We must welcome Miss Simpson into the ranks of the writers of modern fiction, though we hope she will not altogether abandon those paths of history, which she formerly illumined for us.
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