1 NOVEMBER 1902, Page 7

Girls of the Forest. By L. T. Meade. (W. and

R. Chambers. 6s.)—Mrs. Meade takes a large family of girls who have been allowed to run riot, and introduces into the dilapidated, poverty- stricken household a. conscientious aunt who is tactful and a woman of the world. She wins eventually, for the battle is to the strong ; but the young Dales are furious at first. The story of the struggle is admirably told. Aunt . Sophia develops under the author's treatment into a noble woman, as well as proving her- self to be a masterly tactician. Some of the girls' characters are carefully drawn; Nancy King, the farmer's daughter, is a fairly good portrait of the .type ; and the action and dialogue are always good, though limited by circumstances. It is an excellent idea, and it is ably handled. No girl will read this story without perceiving the moral. The one mistake which Aunt Sophia makes is set right, she having forbidden these country girls their one friend, a farmer's daughter. Girls of the Forest is really fresh and most interesting.