“How a mad Anarchist made bombs in a lonely house on the west coast of Ireland, and imprisoned the local doctor for fear lest he should reveal the secret. Mr. Birmingham’s irresponsible gaiety and the knowledge of Irish character revealed in his more serious fiction carry the farce along at a fine pace.”—(TIMES LIT. SUPPL.). ⸺ LALAGE’S LOVERS. Pp. 312. (_Methuen_). 6_s._ (N.Y.: _Doran_). 1.20. 1911. The main idea—in so far as the book is serious—may be stated thus:—How much can one young person (aetat 14 _sqq._) of perfect candour and fearlessness do to upset the peace of comfortable people, who are jogging along in the ruts of convention and compromise. Lalage begins with her governess, then tries the bench of bishops, but causes most consternation by disturbing an election with her Association for the Suppression of Public Lying. The whole is full of fun and laughter. L. has been well described as “an especially enterprising and slangy schoolboy in skirts.” ⸺ THE MAJOR’S NIECE. Pp. 302. (_Smith, Elder_). 6_s._ 1911. Rev. J. J. Meldon in new situations. Major Kent expects from Australia a grown-up niece, who turns out to be a naughty little girl of ten. Mr. Meldon had made innumerable plans for the reception and treatment of the young lady. How does he face the new situation? There are capital minor characters—Doyle the hotel keeper, and Father MacCormack, and the housekeeper, Mrs. O’Halloran. ⸺ THE SIMPKINS PLOT. Pp. 384. (_Nelson_). 2_s._ net. (N.Y.: _Doran_). 1.20. 1911. Scene: “Ballymoy.” Problem: how to get rid of Simpkins, a meddlesome busybody. The interest of the plot mainly turns on the amusing manœuvres of Rev. J. J. Meldon (the hero of _Spanish Gold_) to marry Simpkins to a mysterious “Miss King,” a lady supposed to be identical with a Mrs. Lorimer, recently acquitted, against the opinion of the Judge, of the murder of her husband. Full throughout of fun, clever talk, and deftly sketched character study. Sabina Gallagher, Sir Gilbert Hawksby, and Major Kent are all well done, and there is no mistaking the nationalities. ⸺ THE INVIOLABLE SANCTUARY. Pp. 370. (_Nelson_). 2_s._ 1912. How Frank Mannix comes for vacation to Rosnacree (in the wildest west of Ireland) in all the glory and dignity of a Haileybury prefect. How, owing to a sprained ankle, he is obliged to spend the time sailing in the bay with Priscilla, his fifteen-year-old madcap cousin. How various exciting adventures follow, including the finding, in most unexpected and comical circumstances, by a Cabinet Minister of his daughter, who had eloped with a clergyman, and how Frank and Priscilla were responsible for the reconciliation. Told with all the Author’s sense of fun and _flair_ for comic situations. But why must _all_ Irish peasants appear as liars?