25 JUNE 1904, Page 39

His Majesty's Peacock. By W. A. Mackenzie. (Grant Richards. 6s.)—It

is sometimes a relief to escape from the problems which are constantly presented to the readers of fiction, and absorb oneself in a frank melodrama. Mr. Mackenzie's new story, His Majesty's Peacock, would be an excellent book to choose for this purpose. Here are to be found murders, political intrigues, and other adventures, and quite a long journey by train would become tolerable to any one armed with this "literary anodyne." The book would be improved by the omission of the figure of Lady Dolly, as the retired Colonel who acts as narrator cannot resist becoming exceedingly fulsome whenever he mentions her name ; but all the part which is melodrama proper is well done and decidedly exciting.

C URRENT LITERAT ETRE.