The Fate of Herbert Wayne. By E. J. Goodman. (Chatto
and Windus.)—There is something inexpressibly ghastly in the idea of an autobiography of a man who, while mad, murders his friend. Apart from this feeling, one may well admire the skill with which the first suspicion of the reader is lulled and then fastened on another individual. This, indeed, is developed into a really admir- able study of the effect of prejudice on our judgment of the moral
character of others. John Gregory becomes in the eyes of Oscar Ford the most awful criminal it is possible for man to be ; his character is reserved, he is given to casuistry, and has all the characteristics of crime. A. certain want of precaution, and the apparent callousnesss of the man, ever leave a lingering doubt, it is true ; but to the very last the true secret is kept with much cleverness. Mr. Goodman betrays a want of thorough acquaintance with legal and criminal procedure,—not that such matter is neces- sary to a novel ; but we must either have very little, or if there be more, it must be plausible.
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