16 JUNE 1866, Page 23

Social Life in Sydney. An Australian Tale. By Isabel Massary.

(Simpkin and Marshall.)—There is not much looal eolouring.aboub this- story. There is certainly a convict in it who troubles the households. of his respectable son and daughter, but the 'diffieulties that ensue,' might just as. well have happened in England. The characters are, fairly drawn, but without novelty, and'-the sitnations may easily he imagined. The dialogue is much too fine ; had it been, more natural, the story might have been- recommended on. the ground' 'of its quiet domesticity.