10 DECEMBER 1887, Page 7

Play and Earnest. By Mrs. O'Reilly. (Rontledge and Sons.)— This

is a pretty little story of a brother and sister who are always seeking adventures, and find, according to the old proverb, that "adventures are to the adventurous." They are both good fun, and Jack especially, when the time comes, shows that he has the real staff in him out of which heroes are made. His behaviour on board the sinking ship is capitally described. Mrs. O'Reilly shows much skill in drawing her children—and there is a whole family of cousins, each distinctly marked in character, besides Jack and Nell—and as much, so far as the subject permits, in drawing her animals. Heotor,"Dan," Chang,' and ' Tramp ' are not the least worthy among the dogs of fiction.