In Happy Hollow. By Max Adder (Charles Heber Clark). (Ward,
Lock, and Co. 6s.)—In Happy Hollow is somewhat spoilt by Mr. Clark's feeling—for which, of course, there was sufficient reason—that he had to make a serious story of it. Very likely he could write a serious story if he wished to do so ; but our readers who may remember " Elbow- Room " and "Out of the Hurly-Burly " can easily imagine that a purpureus pannus of tragedy or sentiment would not be exactly suitable. Major Bantam and his wife ; Spikes, who edits the local paper, and is much troubled by having to take the pay-
ment for his "ads." in goods, tombstones and the like—from a travelling manager it is a couple of bloodhounds—Miss Elmira Bantam, a lady-lawyer who uses red-tape for a hair ribbon'; these and others might well have been " Hurly-Burly " people.
On the other hand, Simon Bulfinch, the chief villain of the story, is very tragical indeed, while Dr. Bulfinch is a curious mixture of
one style and the other. But no one need fear any want of the peculiar laughter-compelling fun that one used to associate twenty-odd years ago with the name of "Max Adeler."
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