MRS. LANGTRY'S FIRST NOVEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14225, 23 November 1909, Page 7

MRS. LANGTRY'S FIRST NOVEL.

[fboji our own correspondent.] London, October 15. "All at Sea," the first novel written by Lady De Bathe (Mrs. Langtry), is published. It is witty, clever, and bright, with a theme which in the hands of a clumsy writer might have been a little unpleasant. .

But Lady De Bathe's discretions are admirable. Perhaps/her' long stage experience has made the novel seem like a play decked out with descriptions and words.

The plot is the plot of a play; in fact, there is no reason why it should not have a success as one with Miss Marie Tempest as Lady Vernham. For Lady Vernham is a delightful character, with a fine sense of humour. She travels on the same boat as her husband to America, she posing (by mutual consent) as "Mrs. Renshaw," and he as a bachelor. Husband and wife appear as strangers to each other, with the result that complications follow. All the men are fascinated by " Mrs. Renshaw," and Lord Vernham is hunted clown by a title-hunting mamma from America, who desires him to marry her daughter Clara. Situation follows situation; the characters walk through the pages of the book as though it was a stage, and each chapter is a bright scene *in itself. Here are some of Lady De Bathe's discretions : — ; --- • : '■'• ;••■:

"Poor Kit's not very well; he's neurasthenic.""That means immoral, doesn't it?" inquired Mrs. Renshaw, "Love is a souffle which marriage turns into a bread-and-butter pudding." " Have you ever noticed that every parvenu's favourite among the old masters is Rubens? I think it must be because Rubens' women are always so fat; they think they get more for their money." "Bella Kemper married a German Prince and left him in a week." "Why?"— didn't understand his language, and every time he spoke she thought he was swearing at her." •>';.■

There are some clever character studies in the book, and some excellent illustrations by H. M. Brock. ,