19 DECEMBER 1896, Page 23

Raid's Ugly Duckling. By H. L. Bedford and E. E.

Green.—There is always a wide field for writers who describe tbe development.of child character. Given a child with strong mental powers, great prejudices, and utterly uneducated, whose life has been in a very small round, one is prepared for the most startling views on all sorts of subjects. Grace Simpson, a deformed girl, the "Ugly Duckling" and heroine of this most interesting and pathetic story, is a capital subject for such treatment. She is capable.of some great sacrifices and whole-hearted denial of self, and teaches even a Bishop a lesson, besides qualifying for the Victoria Cross. It is curious, indeed, that the very narrowness of :her moral and social horizon, as with many people, enables her to see and decide what is right and what is her duty; there are no con- fusing lights or conflicting views to delay decision. The " Ugly Duckling" is a really noble and attractive character, one that children will never forget, nor, indeed, older readers. This is an admirable story for children.