THE DRAMATIC WORKS OF ST. JOHN HANKIN.
The Dramatic Works of St. John Sunkist. With an Introduction by John Drinkwater. 3 vols. (Martin Seeker. 21s. net.)— Admirers of St. John Hankin's work will welcome this beautifully produced edition of his plays and essays upon the drama. It is unfortunately a little difficult to believe that they are likely to enjoy or that they deserve to enjoy a very much prolonged popularity. Hankin is often quoted, and is so quoted (though perhaps a little half-heartedly) by Mr. Drinkwater, as one of the originators of the dramatic renascence in England. What renascence, we are compelled to wonder, was or could be derived from these plays? Originating force is surely the last quality that could fairly be claimed for them. The English dramatic renascence had already been started off along the wrong lines by Mr. Bernard Shaw before the first of Hankin's plays was produced, and it would have required firmer hands than his to switch it across on to the right ones. Judged on a lower scale, however, Hankin's plays will bo found quite entertaining. They are somewhat lacking, it is true, psychologically and intellectually ; nor are they dramatically strong. But the dialogue is often brisk and neat, and this, together with the author's quiet gift of humour and of melancholy, is enough to account for the success of some of the pieces.
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