John Murray, London, Ruskin declares that aw author's: words are to be regarded as rocks to be crushed and smelted to obtain the gold of the writer's meaning. No such toilsome use of mental pick-axes and furnaces is involved with works of the type of Mysterious Wave, Yet it is undoubtedly. 'a good book, though in some respects it out-Wallace's Wallace, ard introduces the reader to more of the life of the underworld, and to many more of the almost i conceivably loathsome human reptiles that inhabit its depths, than. most mystery tales that can be called to The story of an Odyssey of Hate is told rapidly and well. Interest is never permitted to flag and descriptive work best. There is no love story, or it is all a love story, according to the reader's way of looking at things—at all events there is no discernible sound of wedding bells except for characters who play minor parts. The ending of the book, though obedient probably to dramatic law, is hardly what the sentimentalist would desire, although it would be difficult to" suggest any - other irtain" equally effective. The account of @ single convict placing: the entire body of officials ina huge gaol under lock and key while be leisurely made' his escape is, told splendidly, and is stated to: be' an historical fact. - Admirers of Wren will acslaiin his Latest production, If Mr. Mirray would accept suggestion, the Phrase "for sale in India' and' the Colonies only" might [be amended, unless Murray's Im-'
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