A Young Heart of Oak : Memories of Harry Stuart
Boldero, Lieutenant E.N. With a Preface by the Very Rev. H. D. M. Spence, D.D., Dean of Gloucester. (Hodder and Stoughton.)— There is an objection, far from nnreasonable in most cases, against the publication of the lives of pious youths and maidens. In such narratives, the reader will generally find a tendency to exaggerate, to dwell too much on mere feelings, and to lay bare aspirations and confessions too sacred to be exposed in public. A young man favoured with an open, enthusiastic nature may give to those whom he loves a frank expression of his Christian aspirations with equal warmth and sincerity ; and if he die young, it is natural that those who love him should rejoice in his early piety. His faith may serve to strengthen theirs, but it may be doubtful, notwithstanding, whether it is often advisable to improve the occasion by relatingahis story to the world. There are exceptions to every rule, however, and perhaps the biography of Lieutenant Boldero, the son of General Boldero, is one of them. He died at the age of twenty-four, and his brava and happy life in the Navy is a beautiful record of high principle, of self-denial, and of vigorous faith. Some of his religious express'orui bear the con- ventional mark of the school in which h3 was brought up, but the thorough sincerity of the youth!ul wr:tn. cannot be questioned. He seems to have been one of the manliest of sailors, the most affectionate of sons, and it is evident that the handsome youth won the love of all with whom he was associated in the service. "I would lay down my life for him," writes a gunner's mate. .‘ I taught him seamanship, but young 83 he was he taught me better things. He was a sailor—I know that, and one of the right sort. And you would not meet with one like him in a hurry. He was as quick as a flash, strong and never out of temper. Blow high or blow low, there he was with the same old smile and quick order, and strong and ready arm to carry it out."
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