15 DECEMBER 1888, Page 26

The Vicar of Redcross. By Sarah Doudney. (Houlston and Sons.)

—This romance is of a distinctly melancholy nature. By means of mistakes and misunderstandings, Miss Doudney has managed at some time or other to get all her characters into false positions. Of course, this gives opportunities for exhibiting patience and fortitude ; but the whole represents rather a tale of woes. That such things happen in the world is only too true ; that they should be met with patience and fortitude is, again, equally true. But we must confess to being a little tired of hearing about them. Still, Miss Doudney is always worth reading, even when her vein is less cheerful than usual; and therefore we hope that when she next takes up the pen, it will be to show us something of the brighter side of life.