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it.’ ‘Here is the optimism of necessity, and perhaps the 
highest wisdom man can attain to. Remember that unto reason- 
able creatures only is it granted that they may willingly and 
freely submit.” No one could be more sensible than I of the 
persuasiveness of this high theme. The words sing to me, and 
life is illumined with soft glory, like that of the autumn sunset 
yonder. ‘* Consider how man’s life is but for a very moment of 
time, and.so depart meek and contented: even as if a ripe olive 
falling should praise the ground that bare ber, and give thanks 
to the tree that begat her. So would I fain think when the 
moment comes. It is the mood of strenuous endeavour, but 
also the mood of rest. Better than the calm of achieved 
indifference (if that indeed is possible to man); better than the 
ecstasy which contemns the travail of earth, in contemplation of 
bliss to come, but by no effort attainable. An influence of 
the unknown powers: a peace that falleth upon the soul like 
dew at evening.”’ 
In the meaning conveyed by those few lines, may, I think, be 
found the source of Gissing’s inspiration. That the source is 
what it is, is not to say that his writing is without value. His 
aim is always a high one; his ideals pure. In this book, he has 
reached the highest water-mark of the style which may be seen 
in his earlier novels to be slowly coming to maturity. In them 
he savagely struck at many of the vices and hypocricies prevalent 
to-day, and he has usually made a story of interest. Many 
tricks of speech and habits of thought will be remembered in 
reading this book, which is, of course, written on a very different 
plan from his other works. 
If it be urged that ‘‘ The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft ” 
is not worthy of having special attention drawn to it, one can 
only reply that it is far above the average of much of the fiction 
produced to-day. It may possibly not take rank as a classic, but 
as a record of experiences and thoughts—not perhaps unique, 
but ‘ because old yet ever new ”—clothed in vigorous and often 
thrilling English, it deserves to be read at least once. If it find 
a permanent place on our book-shelves, it will always suggest 
some congenial thought to him who seeks ‘‘ not with the eye 
alone, but with the mind,’ and so earn its place among other, 
though perhaps more valued, friends. 
