on the side of the Crescent, and goes to Daughter of Heth, A, a novel, by Will iam Black, was published in 1871. It is the story of a child of sunny France, transplanted into the bleak uncongenial Catherine Casatmosphere of Scotland. silis, familiarly called Coquette, is the daughter of a Scotch father and French mother. On the death of her parents she is intrusted to her uncle, the minister of Airlie. There her unselfishness and eagerness to harmonize herself with her new surroundings win her universal love. Her story has, however, a tragic ending. From beginning to end the "dour» atmosphere of a Scotch hamlet is seen to darken the sunshine of Coquette's sunny disposition, and to prophesy a future of shadow. Gree reen Pastures and Piccadilly, by William Black. The story begins in England, and ends in America, the time being about the year 1875. Hugh Balfour, M. P., a young reformer, busies himself with politics to the neglect of his London business and his newly wedded wife (whom he really loves); until the latter, thinking their marriage has been a mistake, asks for a separation. "Your life is in your work," Sylvia says: "I am only an incumbrance to you." He is stunned at first by her unexpected demand, but finally proposes that the separation be only experimental and temAccordingly she goes away to porary. America for a tour with a party among which are the Van Rosens, friends of the Balfours, who have inherited a large property in Colorado. While traveling ness has gone to smash, and infers that He asking if she may return to him. Autobiography of a Slander, The, by Edna Lyall. The slander is born in a small, dull English country town, called Muddleton, in the summer of 1886. It is introduced to the world by an old lady. Mrs. O'Reilly, a pleasant, talkative woman, who imagines it and puts it into words over the teacups to her young friend Lena Houghton. "I assure you, my dear," she says, "Mr. Zaluski is nothing less than a Nihilist." Sigismund Zaluski, a young Polish merchant of irreproachable character, has recently come to Muddleton, achieved an instant popularity in its society, and won the affections and promised hand of Gertrude Morley, one of the village belles. Miss Houghton repeats this slander to the young curate, who, jealous of the Pole's success, tells it to Mrs. Milton Cleave, his gossipy hostess, who writes it to a friend in London. It makes its next appearance at a dinner party, where, with the additions it has gained, it is related to a popular novelist. Struck with its dramatic possibilities, he repeats it to a friend at the Club, where it is overheard by an uncle of Gertrude, who writes to St. Petersburg to find out the truth. By this time, in addition to being a Nihilist, the young Pole is an atheist, an unprincipled man, besides being instrumental in the assassination of the Czar. The letter is found by the police; and Zaluski, returning to St. Petersburg on business, is arrested, and dies in a dungeon. The story is strongly told, its probIt abilities seeming often actual facts. needs no commentary; its truth is epitomized in the apt quotation of the author: "Of thy words unspoken thou art master: thy spoken word is master of thee.» Head of a Hundred, The, by Maude Wilder Goodwin, narrates the adventures of Humphrey Huntoon, a young physician, who goes to Virginia in 1619 to seek his fortune. Captain Chester, mascer of the ship on which he sails, is an old friend; and to him Huntoon tells the story of his love for Elizabeth Romney, a high-born beauty in Devonshire, and of her scornful rejection of his suit. Huntoon settles at Jamestown and there meets John Porey, Secretary to Governor Yerely, who informs him of the coming of twenty maids sent out by the Virginia Company to make wives for the settlers. Among them is Elizabeth Romney, who has left home to avoid entering into an uncongenial marriage. Huntoon is called to tend her broken arm, and they meet with mutual surprise. At this point in the story, Huntoon and Porey are sent to visit the King of Accomac; and after exciting adventures, return to Jamestown in triumph. Here they find a number of blacks, the first slaves imported into America; Huntoon learns with resentment that a wild fellow, Henry Spelman, has bought one of the blacks and sent him as an offering to Elizabeth. Huntoon and Spelman quarrel and a duel is the result. Elizabeth meanwhile is cold and friendly by turns; but just as the lovers are on the point of an explanation, Huntoon is appointed Head of Flower da Hundred, and leaves Jamestown. He does not see Elizabeth for three years, until the famous Indian massacre of 1622 drives her with other refugees to seek shelter in Flower da Hundred. Here her shrewd device foils the savages; she and Huntoon meet, all is explained, and the story ends happily. Sir George Tressady, by Mrs. Hum phrey Ward, is in some sense a sequel to 'Marcella,' since that heroine's life after marriage is traced in it, and she is the central character of the story. It was published in 1896, two years after the earlier book. Its hero, however, is Tressady, a young baronet and owner of an iron mine. He becomes engaged to a pretty, light chit of a girl, and marries her, without any deep feeling of love or serious consideration of the bond. He then falls under the influence of Marcella, now Lady Raeburn, who likes him and hopes to win his political support for her husband, Aldous Raeburn, a prominent statesman. The feeling deepens to love on Tressady's side; but he is saved from himself by the nobility of Marcella, who gently rebukes her lover and is steadily loyal to Aldous. Through her mediation a better relation is established between Tressady and his wife, who is soon to become a mother. But Tressady's career is brought to an untimely and tragic close. During the labor troubles in his mines, he descends a shaft and is killed in an explosion. Burning questions of politics and political economy are ably handled in the story, which also, as a chief motive, deals with woman's relation to politics and public place. On the whole, it is of a more sombre cast than Marcella'; but it is very interesting, and strong in its grasp of modern life and its presentation of modern problems. The portrayal of the relation of Marcella and Lord Raeburn, as husband and wife, is nobly ideal. Fool of Quality, The, a curious novel by Henry Brooke, published originally in five volumes (1760-77), was considered of such spiritual value by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, that he prepared a special edition of it for the use of his followers. Its author, an Irishman, had been a courtier and man of the world before he became a recluse. He had known Pope and Sheridan and Swift, who had prophesied for him a brilliant career. He had been a favorite of the Prince of Wales, and had mingled intimately with the statesmen of the day. His life, extending from 1706 to 1783, coincided with what was most peculiarly of the essence of the eighteenth century. The Fool of Quality' is a novel without a plot, or rather with no definite scheme of action. It is concerned in the main with the boyhood and youth of Harry, second son of the Earl of Moreland, dubbed by his parents the "fool,» because he appeared to be of less promise than his elder brother. He is brought up by a foster-mother. After some years his parents discover that so far from lacking intellect, he is a child of unusual precocity and promise. The nove relates how this promise was fulfilled. There are, however, many digressions from the main line of the tale. The author moralizes, puts long moral anecdotes in the lips of his characters, and holds imaginary conversations with the reader. These anecdotes and conversa. tions are chiefly on the power and wisdom and goodness of the Creator. Towards the close of the book its mysticism becomes exceedingly exalted and visionary, suggesting the author's acquaintance with the teachings of the German mystic, Jacob Boehme. The work as a whole is hardly capable of holding a modern reader's interest. It had, however, no mean place in the popular fiction of the eighteenth century, and so modern a thinker as Charles Kingsley thought it a book well worthy of a new edition, to which he contributed a laudatory preface in 1859. Hur urrish: A Study, by Emily Lawless. This is a picture of life on the west coast of Ireland, wild and sad as is that barren iron land itself. Horatio, or Hurrish O'Brien, the big, kindly, simple farmer, gives poor, pretty Ally a home, and is a father to weak, vain Maurice Brady; but he becomes the victim of fate. His fierce old mother is an ardent patriot. They live in the midst of Fenians, but he will not strike a blow for rebellion. Maurice Brady's brutish brother Mat, hated by all, shoots at Hurrish from his hiding-place; Hurrish strikes one blow in self-defense, kills him, and is betrayed to the police by Maurice. Hurrish is tried and acquitted, but Maurice murders him in spite of Ally's warnings. Ally, though betrothed to Maurice, loves Hurrish without knowing it. Hurrish, in his devotion to Maurice, acquits him on his death-bed. Ally becomes a nun; Maurice goes to America, where he makes a fortune, but is shunned by his countrymen as an informer and a traitor. Hurrish's memory is cherished in his native village. This capital picture of Irish character, with all its weaknesses, inconsistencies, and superstitions, was published in 1886,- the writer's first book, and giving her high rank among Irish novelists. Grif, by B. L. Farjeon, published in 1870, is a vivid study in plebeian Australian life. A homeless waif, wandering about the streets of Melbourne, Grif is led by Alice Handfield to honesty and a noble, though always struggling, life of self-sacrifice. Alice is the brave young wife of Dick Handfield, whose failures have brought them to miserable poverty. Disowned by her wealthy father, Matthew Nuttall, so long as she clings to her weak husband, now fallen into the clutches of a gang of criminal bush-rangers, Alice makes her sorrowful way, ever befriending and befriended by the faithful Grif, whose rough beauties of character are well indicated. Resolved to lead a better life, Dick leaves home for the gold fields. Here he is entrapped by his old pals, and a false charge of murder is raised against him, which Alice and Grif disprove. Nothing can be more touching than the untaught selfsacrifice of Grif, who, when dying from a wound received from one of the gang, bears false witness in order to save Dick from the charge of murder, which Grif knows to be unfounded, yet from which he fears Dick cannot otherwise be freed. And thus brighter days dawn for all. The characters are drawn with a knowledge of human nature, and a nice appreciation of the social forces that constrain many lives to squalor and sin, which under happier conditions might have been virtuous. In sentiment, the author is a disciple of Dickens. Carl arlingford. The general title of 'Chronicles of Carlingford' covers a number of tales and novels by Mrs. Margaret Oliphant, which have no direct sequence or continuous plot, but which have more or less connection through the reappearance of some of the same characters. These novels-which can hardly be called a series, but rather a groupinclude Salem Chapel,' (The Rector,' "The Doctor's Family, The Perpetual Curate,' 'Miss Marjoribanks,' and 'Phœbe Junior. The earliest to appear was 'Salem Chapel,' which was published anonymously in 1863, but was readily attributed to Mrs. Oliphant, who had then been for fourteen years before the public as a writer, and whose style was recognizable. (Salem Chapel' holds perhaps the foremost place among the Chronicles, having a strong dramatic interest in addition to that which it possesses as a tale of English middle-class life. Carlingford is a country town; and its chronicles are for the most part those of ordinary persons, set apart by no unusual qualities or circumstances. The portraits of these people are vividly drawn, with humor and delicacy as well as strength. The vicissitudes in the ministry of Arthur Vincent, preacher in the Dissenting Salem Chapel, form the framework of the tale. The hopeless infatuation of Vincent for Lady Western, and the temptation of Mildmay, Lady Western's brother, constitute the romance and tragedy of the story. Mr. Tozer, the rich dealer in butter, who is the financial pillar of the Dissenting chapel; his pretty out vulgar daughter Phoebe, who is more han half in love with the handsome young minister; Dr. Marjoribanks, the old country doctor; Dr. Rider, his younger successor, and in some sense his rival; Mr. Wentworth, the curate of St. Roques; the Wodehouse family,-all the many dwellers in Carlingford who appear and reappear through these tales,- become familiar acquaintances of the reader. A great charm of these novels is the distinctness with which each character is portrayed, and the individuality which is preserved for each among the large number introduced in the action. Agnes Surriage, by Edwin Lassetter Bynner. A historical novel of colonial times; the action at first is in and about Boston, afterwards in Europe. Henry Frankland, newly appointed royal collector of customs, arrives at Boston, and is cordially received. Officially visiting Marblehead, he encounters Agnes Surriage, a barefooted young inn servant, and is struck by her beauty and the richness of her voice in singing. A chance reference in a letter from Sir Horace Walpole inspires him with the idea of rescuing Agnes, and educating her for the opera stage. Attending a supper party at Governor Shirley's, he enlists Mrs. Shirley's sympathies, and she consents to receive and educate his protégée. This is the beginning of Agnes's love for Frankland, a dramatic incident of which is connected with the great earthquake of Lisbon. Among the dramatis persone are Governor and Mrs. Shirley, the Hutchinsons, the Vassalles, the artists Smybert and Copley, Sir Horace Walpole, George Selwyn, and others. The main events and personages are strictly historical; the scenes and surroundings are accurately studied, especially Marblehead with its quaint dialect and curious characteristics. Published in Boston, 1886. Battle of Dorking, The, by Charles Cornwallis Chesney. This little skit appeared first in Blackwood's Magazine in 1871, and has since been reprinted under the title The Fall of England.' After the ignominious defeat of the French at Sedan, Colonel Chesney, professor of military history at Sandhurst, foresaw a imilar fate for his own country unless it should reorganize its army. He urged vigorous measures of reform; and as the necessity for these was not perceived by the country at large, he contributed to the press various articles, both technical and popular. Ariong the latter was this realistic and matter-of-fact account of an imaginary invasion of England by a foreign power. The fleet and army are scattered when war is declared, but the government has a sublime confidence that British luck and pluck will save the country now as hitherto. To universal surprise and consternation, the hostile fleet annihilates the available British squadron, and the enemy lands on the south coast. Volunteers are called out, and respond readily; but ammunition is lacking, the commissariat is unorganized, and the men, though brave, have neither discipline nor endurance. The decisive battle is fought at Dorking, and the British are routed in confusion. Woolwich and London are in the hands of the enemy, and England is compelled to submit to the humiliating terms of the conqueror. She is stripped of her colonies, and pays a heavy war indemnity, all because power has come into the hands of the rabble, who have neither foresight nor patriotism to preserve the liberties of their country. The book was widely read and quoted in its day, though hardly remem bered now. Beauchamp's Career, one of George But Meredith's novels. (1876.) This story presents a complex network of social and political problems, in which the chief figures are enmeshed. Nevil Beauchamp, the hero, is a young English naval officer, of distinguished lineage and aris tocratic environment and traditions. he takes little pride in these accidents of fortune. With the temper and ambition of a martyr, he is prepared to sacrifice himself or his caste to the interests of his country. In Venice he meets a French girl, Renée de Croisnel, whose father has betrothed her to the middle-aged Marquis de Rouaillat. Nevil and Renée fall in love. Beauchamp, with characteristic impetuosity and lack of humor, urges that the larg r interests of humanity condemn the proposed marriage as a sin against nature, and that it is her sacred duty to accept him. Renée remains unmoved in the conviction that her duty to her father is paramount. The passionate lover descends by an entirely natural process into the fanatical politician. On his return to England he falls under the influence of the radical, Dr. Shrapnel (an enthusiastic advocate of the rights of the democracy), and of his adopted daughter, Jenny Denham. He has many sharp and bitter conflicts with his own people. They are ultra-conservative, he is a radical and a 259 dramatic dialogue, daring humor, and much keenness of perception; but most readers have preferred the author's short stories. republican. Always ready for sacrifice Amb and indifferent to ridicule, often blundering, his intellect being weaker than his impulses, he yet succeeds in preserving a certain dash and distinction even in the midst of his failures. Renée presently leaves her husband to come to England and throw herself into his arms; but is foiled by the ready wit of Rosamund Culling, the housekeeper of Beauchamp's uncle. Eventually the young radical makes a loveless marriage with Jenny Denham. Shortly after, he is drowned in saving the life of a nameless little mbitious Woman, An, a novel by Edgar Fawcett, appeared in 1883. It is a keen yet sympathetic analysis of an American female type whose dominant trait is social ambition. Claire Twining is reared in the ugly poverty of a Brooklyn suburb. She is clever, capable, with a great desire for the luxuries of life. Through the good offices of a schoolmate she gains a social foothold. If Claire's transformation seems a little sudden, there is yet much genuine strength in the story and much truthful observation of city life in New York. urchin in the harbor of Southampton. The New Priest of Conception Bay: The book is sad, as the story of all un. fulfillment is sad; but it represents Meredith's most striking qualities. Gabriel Conroy, by Bret Harte. (1876.) In this, the longest of Bret Harte's novels, the scene is laid in California during the forties and fifties, and affords vivid pictures of life at a mining camp. The story opens in the California Sierras, where Captain Conroy's party of immigrants, lost in the snow, are dying of starvation and cold. Among them are Grace Conroy, the heroine; her brother and sister, Gabriel and "Olly»; Arthur Poinsett, an adventurous young fellow of high social standing, who is traveling under the name of Philip Ashley, and who has fallen in love with Grace; Dr. Devarges, a famous scientist, who, before he dies, bestows upon Grace the title to a silver mine which he has discovered; and Mr. Peter Dumphy, who spies upon the dying scientist, and afterwards tries to profit by his eavesdropping. A few of the party are rescued, among them Grace and Philip. Complications arising out of her inheritance, and other mining claims, afford an intricate and interesting plot, which a number of vividly conceived characters develop. So exciting and rapid is the action that the book would be classed among sensational novels, but for its artistic treatment and high literary quality. A great many personages are introduced, among them Doña Sepulvida. who is one of the author's best female characters. In this novel, as in most of Bret Harte's works, are vivid imagination, strong local color, by Robert Trail Spence Lowell. (1858.) The writer was a brother of James Russell Lowell, and preached for some years at Bay Roberts, in Newfoundland (Peterport in The New Priest'). It tells us of the fishing, the wrecks, and the feuds between Protestants and Catholics, which make up life in that bleak region. There are two stories: that of Mrs. Barrè, and that of Lucy Barbury, Skipper George's lovely daughter. Mrs. Barrè's husband has left her to become a Catholic (the new priest), but in time sees his error, and returns to Protestantism and his wife. Just as they are about to be reunited he perishes in a snow-storm. Lucy's lover, studying for the priesthood, abjures his vows for her sake. She is taken from her sick-bed by nuns, escapes, hides on board a vessel bound for Madeira, and is brought home at last, after priests and nuns have been tried for her murder. A comic element is supplied by Bangs, the Yankee, who feigns a desire to study Catholicism. Anni nnie Kilburn, a novel of New England life, by W. D. Howells, was published in 1888. Its heroine, a woman in her later youth, returns to her native New England village after a prolonged sojourn in Rome, terminated by the death of her father. Her foreign environment has unfitted her for sympathetic residence with the friends of her girlhood, yet it has not diminished the insistency of her Puritan conscience. She does good with malice prepense, and labors to be a power for well-being in the community. Her |