17 AUGUST 1895, Page 24

First Davenport of Bramhall. By Joseph Bradbury. (Digby and Long.)—Mr.

Bradbury essays to tell a tale of the fifteenth century. He fails to make much of his attempt. His book wants special colour and character. Of all literary tasks this is almost the hardest,—to enable the dead past to live again. Mr. Bradbury certainly has not the gift.