With Cochrane the Dauntless. By G. A. Henty. (Blackie and
Son.)—Mr. Henty has had to use more than common ingenuity to work his materials into the form required. Lord Cochrane makes an admirable hero. He was a man of many adventures, and the wrongs which he suffered rouse the reader's sympathy with him in no common degree. But it must be confessed that his exploits in the service of the South American States do not offer much of a subject for the tale-writer. It is highly interesting, therefore, to see how so skilful a veteran as Mr. Henty meets the difficulty. The first part of the book might seem irrelevant, for it is occupied with adventures with which Lord Cochrane had no concern. But they bring out the hero's courage and ingenuity. This, we say, is the kind of discipline which fits a lad for the service of a hero. Then we are introduced to Lord Cochrane, and the hero's father tells us the story of his previous career. A brief narrative follows, and for a while we are really " with Cochrane the Daunt- less." But the hero is soon separated from him, and sets up, so to speak, on his own account. Treacherous comrades and wily savages contend with him in vain. He traverses the continent of South America with success, and again for a while finds himself in company with his chief. Altogether, the tale is full of interest, though more of the patchwork kind than suits the best work of the story-teller.
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