A Reverend Gentleman. By J. Maclaren Cobban. (Methuen and Co.)—One
villain is enough for one novel; Mr. Cobban gives us two, and both of a hue so portentously black that they could not be easily matched in real life. Between the "Reverend Gentle- man" and Jack Parkin there is little to choose, though the characteristics of age and youth are well preserved. Indeed, there is no lack of ability in the tale ; it is to its vary sombre colouring that we object. That is the fashion now ; still, we are entitled to demand fair play. "One novel, one villain," is a sound. literary truth. Mr. Cobban's clerical hero has to give up his living for preaching in his church the sermon out of "Tristram Shandy." His congregation, or rather his people, take it so seriously, that he has to go for fear of his life. It stirs them as much as the turnpikes did in old days, or the close-time for salmon does in these.
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