The Constable of the Tower. By Charlotte M. Yonge. (National
Society.)—Hubert de Burgh is the hero of Miss Yonge's new story (the Hubert of Shakespeare's King John, it may be as well to remind the reader). She takes a certain chronological license, making her hero somewhat older than he probably was, and giving him a daughter who was not then born, to serve as a heroine. A very interesting heroine she makes, attractive and not so super- latively good as to be above all feminine weaknesses. Her lover is a historical personage, with what accuracy pictured we cannot say, but still real, and still remembered by the tower in Dover Castle which bears his name. The complication of the plot is caused by Hubert de Burgh's steady adherence to that very un- satisfactory King, John Lackland. He is an early adherent of the doctrine of divine right, and being unable to allow that there is any justification for revolt against a lawful Sovereign, breaks a contract of betrothal between his daughter and the son of one of the Baronial party. The tale is diversified by the account of a visit to Rome, Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, going to defend himself to Innocent III. The great Pope appears as he was in his later days, when power had somewhat blinded his vision of right and wrong.
Previous page
