24 APRIL 1897, Page 12

Denounced. By J. Bloundelle-Burton. (Methuen and Co.)— This story, a

tale of the days that followed the '45, is scarcely as good work as we should think the author could have produced. When the author speaks of his own person he uses clumsy language, of which the following is not a singular example :— "01 priests affecting [why affecting fq Stuart principles there

were also several, some, as was the case with Archibald Sholto, being temporarily attached to St. Omer, at which there was a large English seminary for the education of young Catholics, but all of whom were frequently in London and Paris, plotting always restlessly for the overthrow of the present reigning House in England, and for the restoration of the discarded one." The dialogue is stiff and stilted in the last degree, and the characters absolutely conventional. There is no attempt at light and shade. The author has a command of incident, but he must write with more care if he 'is to make a good story.