19 DECEMBER 1896, Page 23

Old Comrades. By Agnes Giberne. (J. F. Shaw and Co.)—If

we had not met an Indian officer resembling Colonel Tracy in every respect, we should not have believed that such a boor existed. As it is, we cannot help thinking he is a little too heavily drawn. His final reconciliation with his old comrade, though occupying a small part of the story, provides an effective motive. Dorothea is a good character, and we should have liked more of her ; indeed, the story, simple and effective as it is, is somewhat too slight. More might have been made of it with advantage. To be the sole companion of an old curmudgeon like Colonel Tracy is a truly miserable lot for a girl; let us hope that hers is a very rare case.