The Queen's Jewel. By M. P. Blyth. (Bentley.)—This is a
story of Queen Anne's day, and is written expressly for the purpose of making a hero of her son, William, Duke of Gloucester, who, had he lived, would have ascended the English Throne. The attempt meets with a considerable amount of success, as the little Duke is represented as having a good deal of unregenerate temper in him, as well as being generous, dutiful, and carefully nurtured. Mrs. Masham and her scapegrace brother, Jack Hill, who causes a good deal of unpleasantness by stealing one of the Queen's jewels out of sheer mischief, are also brought on the stage, in addition to Dick Greville, the Duke's loyal chum. The death-bed scene in the lest chapter is well painted. The Queen's Jewel is hardly adapted for very young children, but it ought to be appreciated by boys in their teens. We cannot say much for the illustrations, which have an unfinished look.
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