DIM STAR. By Hannah Yates. (Collins. 7s. 6d.)The author chooses
the late 'nineties of the eighteenth century as the period for this novel. - Many of the War difficulties of that day and the devices by which. they are evaded are strangely reminiscent of the situation during the last ten years. The interest of the book is, however, psychological. The scene is laid in Liverpool, where Robert Bardelly, a business man (the father of Sylvia the heroine),is threatened with ruin owing to his indebtedness to John Hartle, who is also the father of an only daughterAnna. . Anna is a woman of masculine intellect, and drives a bargain with Sylvia over one Amos Bernina, an artist, with whom they are both in love. Robert Baidelly's debt is cancelled by John Hartle' by his daughter's desire, but she keeps from her father the knowledge of the human" consideration." Anna and 'Amos marry, and the gradual deterioration of Amos, begun through his feeling that his, psychological insight has failed him in his portraiture of the two girls, is extremely ably rendered, this is the Main
theme of the book, which ends with the death of Amos. The setting and the presentation of proyiacial life, at that date are well described; and' all the characters; even those who make but a flitting appearance, are vigorously drawn.
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