10 FEBRUARY 1894, Page 27

St. Wynfrith's. By E. Everett-Green. (Jerrold and Sons.)—This is a

very truthful delineation of almshouse life and pettiness. Most of us have but a vague idea of what life must be in those neat cottages, and fancy when we see old men and women walking along the well-kept paths and over the nice turf (though we .doubt if this is allowed), that their life is at last peaceful and happy. But they are too often hot-beds of scandal and back- biting. The heroine of St. Titrynfrith's is a decayed gentlewoman, a narrow-minded, selfish woman, but yet a lady. She learns a severe lesson, and her pride is humbled; and eventually, after disappearing, having been driven away by the suspicion of having written anonymous letters, returns triumphantly in a highly dramatic manner. It is a good story, but is spoilt by having far too much ecclesiastical diEcussion dragged into it.