19 MARCH 1887, Page 23

Kiniaff Place : a Tale of Resolo■ion. By the Author

of "Dorothy." (Swan Sonnenschein and Co.)—This is the story of the war in La Vend5e. It is supposed to be told by the wife of one who took an active part in it, and it has a special didactio purpose of its own,— the showing how much harm may come from a want of trust and of kindness, the heroine owing mach of her trouble to her own self-will, And this purpose is brought oat more clearly by a somewhat curious introduction. A Spoilt, self-willed woman reads the story in manu- script—it has been preserved among some family treasures—and learns from it to estimate rightly her own failings. This introduction might, we think, have been very well spared. Of the tale itself, we desire to speak in high praise. It is a aubjeot of inexhaustible in- terest, full of episodes of devotion and heroism, often most pathetic, and now and then relieved by just a touch of comedy. Perhaps the canvas is too much crowded with detail, making it a little difficult to keep in mind the large features of the history ; but where the detail is a such extraordinary interest, it is, we know, very difficult

to choose. The personal element in the narrative is skilfully managed. The heroine is an interesting person, fall of love and courage, and not without her faults, and we follow her fortunes with an interest that does not flag. Altogether, Kintail Place is a good story.