Captain Bayley's Heir. By G. A. Henty. (Blackie and Son.)—
In spite of the number of stories which Mr. Henty produces yearly, his work, as a rule, shows no signs of deterioration. We say as a rule, because the book before us is hardly so good as either of the two which have already been noticed. It is, indeed, above the average, but there lacks something of the freshness and vividness that may generally be found in Mr. Henty's work. The book begins brightly enough with a picturesque description of a fight between some Westminster boys and a crowd of roughs. But when we follow the hero to California, where the scene is for the most part laid, the narrative seems to be a little spun out. There is perhaps rather too much of the "wheels within wheels" writing, or, to put it plainly, some of the characters are too fond of relating reminiscences of a past life, and so make the story to drag a little. Nevertheless, it is a good tale—not so good as we have had from Mr. Henty—but still distinctly good, and will doubtless afford to many a great deal of pleasure.
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