An Old Chronicle of Leighton. By Sarah Selina Hamer. (Oliphant,
Anderson, and Ferrier.)—This "old chronicle" does not take us further back than the days of the Luddite riots. That will not be a matter of regret to its readers, for it is a particularly well-told story. The incident that is used to disentangle the com- plications of the plot is not, we think, very happily imagined. Scarcely probable in itself, it was not adequate to work the desired effect on the Squire's pride. Something more closely personal would surely have been needed. Apart from this, we have no adverse criticism to offer, except it be that the love-scene in the church, with which the story opens, is a little more pronounced in its details than is quite consistent with the usual etiquette. Miss Hamer is very eloquent in her descriptions of the behaviour of engaged couples ; but there is a time and a place for all things ; and in the case of Godfrey and Constance these were not alto- gether well chosen. The affairs of lovers are the chief subject of the story. It seems that for all circles of readers they are the most attractive theme, boys possibly excepted. But there are other things also. There is some good reading in the description of the riots, and of the struggle in the mind of the Quaker mill-owner about the "spoiling of his goods." Also there is some excellent dialogue in the Lancashire dialect, and not a little humour.
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