RICH MAN, POOR MAN. By Hulbert Footner. "(Faber and Gwyer.
7s. 6d.)—This is a grim story of the development of two opposed types, and their failure and success in New York City: Wilfred Pell belongs to a fairly well-to-do family ; but his nervous' uncertainty, his morbid uneasiness about his manhood, his entire lack Of self-confidence: inhibit him both in his work and his human relationships. Joe Kaplan is a condottiere of the streets, corrupt and comely, with an unholy power of exploiting the bad. in everybody, Yet exercising a secret faSeination even upon Wilfred, whom he continually- crosses.-"Joe rises front" height to height, finally capturing the- aristocratic Elaine whom Wilfred weakly adores, but who has a certain bright brutality of- her own. .The streets, cafes, apartment-houses, and disreputable places of New York seem to be realistically described ; and the sheer technique-of the story is- admirable. The irony of the final meeting of Wilfred and Joe with their respective wives is complete. This is a fresh, vigorous, and ruthless book. Nobody in search of lovable characters is likely- to be satisfied, for- one cannot altogether approve of Wilfred; or altogether abhor Joe.-
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