CURRENT LITERATURE.
Grace Bevan ; or, the Mystery of Embden Vale. By "J. R." (City of London Publishing Company.)—The author concludes this book by saying, " Would you know whether the tendency of a book is good or evil, examine in what state of mind you lay it down." Well, the state of mind in which we lay down the book is chiefly one of mild surprise at the little care which the author has taken with what leads like a first book. Not only are the errors of the press extremely numerous, but the narrative, short as it is, betrays a good deal of inconsistency. At first Marie is the heroine's goddaughter, then later in the book we learn that she is the godchild of two nuns in the Paris convent. At page 278 we are told that for many days after the young nun's profession Grace kept her room ; but on page 235 it appears that after all these days had elapsed, it is still the day of the young nun's profession. Moreover, the narrative is incoherent,—the kind of narrative in which gaps are indicated by asterisks,—and the events are very loosely pieced together. The morality of the author is not very austere when he (or she) makes Grace say only that she thought the conduct of a man who had seduced and abandoned a young girl to whom he was sincerely attached, and whom he might very well have married if be would," weak and unmanly," whereas itwas treacherous and selfish to the last degree. The clergyman is a mere mist of benevolent disinterestedness, and the women generally are ideal shadows. But there is a certain indication of power in the scene between Manning and his profligate companion, and some of the descriptive portions of the book are very pleasing. If this be a first effort, there is reason to think that " J. B." may succeed better in future. Even of this little story it may be safely said, that " the picture would have been better if the painter had taken more pains." Its faults are on the surface ; for it has not been carefully written. Bat we feel little doubt that the author could do much better.
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