The Book of Lies

Jezebel. 42s. (Oné copy only remains.) An Appeal to the American People. 1s. A superb patriotic ode in favour of the Anglo- American entente. Jephthah, etc. 75. 6d. ‘“‘Mr. Crowley has paced the literary stage before, not without success. . .. He was hailed asa promis: ing young man, anda follower of Swinburne.... It should be said that the‘ Dedication’ is a poem ex- pressive of admiration of Swinburne, and the title- workis only one of many that the book contains. ‘ Jephthah ’ is, of course, a tragedy; ‘The Five Kisses’ comprises a series of lyrics of impassioned character, skilful technique, and real poetic frenzy. . From the power and earnestness of the book before us, we are inclined to favour his chances of the future.. He has shown at least the foot of Hercules. ”__Birming ham Gazette. The Mother’s Tragedy, etc. 55. ‘‘ He endeavours to grapple with the dark prob- lems which exercised theimagination of John Ford. He views the sexual problem from the standpoint of the unconventional student of human nature. The principal poem in his new volume is a powerful dramatic sketch. passages in this drama are really very fine; and ‘The Fatal Force’ is also a dramatic poem of singular power. Mr. Crowley has a claim to recognition as a true poet. Most men who have thought deeply on life’s problems recognize that the current religion of nearly all their fellow men is an idle mockery.. We cannot shrink from looking behind the veil, and asking ourselves— What is life at best?. Mr. Crowley seems to hold that the worldis reek- ing with rottenness—and he is, to a great extent, right... . These daring verses contain a large share of elemental truth. But we liveina hypocritical 118