24 DECEMBER 1864, Page 20

CURRENT •LITERATURE.

French girl, the daughter of a Parisian banker, and of the life of the family to which she belongs—and the plot of her novel is neither new nor probable. Jeanne's father has committed forgery, but is the soul of honour. He took up the forged bill when due, but was compelled to- do so through M. Moreau, whose acceptance he had forged, who forgave

him, and said that he had destroyed the bill. When the story begins. Jeanne takes lessons of a young artist, and of course they fall in love. Madame Laragaay, however, favours a rich English baronet, Sir Henry

Luton. Daughter and father of course reject him, and then Sir Henry turns out to be M. Moreau, who has kept the bill and threatens a pro- secution for forgery. Fortunately, however, the artist lover knows.

Moreau to be a married man, and gets back the bill by threatening a prosecution for an attempt to commit bigamy. This is absurd enough, but the French family, its mode of rile, the amiable father, his sensible old mother, his proud and worldly wife, Marianne the maid, and, above all, Jeanne the heroine, are most delicately and truthfully drawn. Occupying but a single volume, this picture is sure to please in spite of the plot.