23 MAY 1896, Page 22

Handicapped. By Sir R. H. Roberts. (F. V. White and

Co.)— Sir Randal wanders from the Shires, for a wonder, and the title of this novel will mislead those of his readers who expect a story confined to hunting circles. It is pleasant to get away from the hunting-field for a space and meet with some cheerful Irish characters, yet we must confess that in shipwrecks and travels our author is not at home, and the flatness of his style and the sameness of his characters become most apparent when he takes them into novel surroundings. Handicapped is just readable, but no more.