20 NOVEMBER 1897, Page 11

A Man of Honour. By H. C. Irwin. (A. and

C. Black.)—This is a story of the second Sikh War. The hero is the last repre- sentative of an old Irish family, and goes out with a military cadetship in time to take part in the battle of Chillianwallah. (He could not have solaced his convalescence by reading " David Copperfield," for Chillianwallah was fought in 1849, and the story was not finished till 1850.) He is made second-in-command in a regiment of irregular horse which his special friend in the regi- ment is commissioned to raise. This is a comparatively new field for the writer of Indian fiction, and gives occasion for some ex- cellent description. The whole story, indeed, is of very consider- able merit. It gives the impression of having been skilfully constructed out of some records of actual service. The hero is a very fine fellow. The scruple which prevented him from

grasping happiness, when all hindrances seemed to have been withdrawn, is finely conceived. It is elevating to be brought into the presence of so ideal a fidelity to friendship.