A NOVEL OF REAL QUALITY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2132, 25 April 1914, Page 9

A NOVEL OF REAL QUALITY.

Miss Ethel Sedgwick, whoso thoroughly artistic stories, "Promise" and "Succession," havo won for their author a well-deserved reputation, is: again to bo congratulated upon her latest novel, "A Lady of. Leisure" (Sedgwick and Jackson; per Whitcombo and Tombs). It is difficult to writo in terms of too high commendation of this excellent story, brimful as it is of tha spirit of ultra literary modernity, rich in clever character-drawing, and sparkling _ with spontaneous wit and unforced epigram. Mainly it is tho lovo story of a very clevor and delightful girl, tiro daughter of a fashionablo London doctor, whoso wife, a frivolous, selfish woman, at one timo goes perilously near open infidelity. Botween Violet Ashwin and her father tjiero is that curious bond of personal (understanding and sympathy which is so often accentuated where the wife is unwifcly and where tho father hungers for love. Hoiv this very chaoning girl is wooed and won by a very fine young fellow, who, however, is subjected to a long and somewhat trying period of suspended approval, is told by Miss Sedgwick in a peculiarly happy and original way. There is, too, a subsidiary lovo story, that of a pretty young dressmaker, which is delightfully fresh and convincing, and there is a touch of wel'l-subdiifid dramatic effect in the scene where tho doctor utterly routs a French Count, a most unspeakable "bounder," with whom his wife lias been carrying oil a very dangerous flirtation. "A Lady of Leisure" is a novel to be read and enjoyed by all who appreciate the best class of fiction. Its literary style is quite refreshingly fiee from ■ commonplace.

* A CAPITAL DOG STORY, Mr. James Oliver Curwood lias chosen to challenge Mr. Jack London in a field in which the latter has won'a high reputation, and in his "Kazan, the Wolf Dog" (Cassell and Co.; per fe : . and- W, Mackay), has drawn a dog-hero who is quite worthy of a place in fiction alongside Mr. London's famous "Buck." Kazan is a big, gaunt hound, threequarter wolf, one quarter "husky," or Eskimo. _ Ho has known what it is to owe allegiance to masters who mercilessly insisted upon a rigid obedience, but ever has tho wolf strain in him revolted, Mr. Curwood has a real genius for portraying tho marvels of canine instinct, and his Kazan is truly a wonder aifiongst dogs, fighting and conquering not only other dogs, but wolves, lynxes-, and otters, and sending to a well-merited doom a human animal fifty times more' creel than tho most savago of'all the wild animals in tho far northern forests and lakes of Canada, where'the scenes of the story are laid. Kazan has a fitting mate, Grey Wolf, his loving spouse, whose fidelity to tho dog who is but one part dog is something most pathetic. Tho wanderings of the pair, their encounters with animal and human enemies aro described by Mr. Curwood iti a spirit of restrained but most effective realism. Tho account of how Kazan combats tho cunning beavers and how he has to acknowledge that on. their own ground—in their own water would be mare correct — tlie.beaver is easily more than a match for both dogs and wolves, as well of their sworn and more cunning enemy, the otter, is one of tlie most interesting things I havo over read. Let all dog lovers make acquaintance with. Ka®t-n.'

Norwood Young, whoso studies in Napoleonic history are so mtich esteemed, has completed an entirely now study of "Napoleon's Life at Elba," which will bo published this month by Stanley Pauls. In a succeeding volume, Mr. Young will deal with Napoleon's .life at St. Helo'na. Each volume is to be liberally illustrated.

Michael MacDonagh his interesting studies of British Parliamentary life. His latest work, "The Speaker! of the House," -'to be published very shortly by Methuen's, • deals- with tha Qiigin and object of the Speakership of the Mother of Parliaments, its romantic history, and tho characters of 'ths long lino of distinguished men wh ohavo filled tho ancient and honourable position.