Sin Chong. By W. Braunston Jones. (Walter Scott Publish- ing
Company. 6s.)—Mr. Braunston Jones alleges as his reason for writing Sin Chong his desire to give his countrymen a glimpse of the inner social life of the Chinese. Unless Mr. Jones maligns them most sadly, no one after reading this book will in the least desire to be better acquainted with the Chinese nation. The avarice, malice, and sordid cruelty displayed by the villains of the piece beat in a canter the best devices of the most accomplished rascal ever exhibited at the Adelphi. At the end of the book the virtuous heroine is compelled to take refuge in marriage with a Japanese pirate, who is so much more pleasant than most of the other characters that the reader is comparatively happy in leaving her in his hands. There are, we have every reason to believe, many millions of virtuous Chinamen ; but when a Celestial tries to be villainous he certainly appears to "lick creation."
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