10 SEPTEMBER 1898, Page 25

The Little Red Schoolhouse. By Evelyn Raymond. (Roberts Brothers, Boston,

17.S.)—The author dedicates this story to the pupils and teachers of "our blessed country schools." We do not criticise the epithet, though it is not wholly applicable to the country school as it sometimes appears in American fiction, in Mr. Bret Harte's tales, for instance. But there is no doubt that the system of the common school lends itself to literary purposes. Such a story as this could not have been written in England. Daniel could not have been at school with Philip and Helen. And we should have missed a picturesque tale, distinguished by good studies of character, vigorous and idiomatic dialogue, and inter- esting incident.