Maud Neville. (Smith, Elder, and Co.)—A goodyish story, and about
as readable as that kind of thing usually is. The heroine is of course a model of dignified good sense, of course falls in love with a roue colonel, of course does not marry him, of course serves as governess in a rich vulgar family, of course does them good, and of course has a clergyman who can preach spirit-stirring sermons given her as a reward. There is no objection to all that if people like it, only we would just suggest to the author that she can if she pleases do something better than manufacture stories for good young ladies. She has drawn one person, Florence, who is, we believe, really original. At least we have not seen a picture of the wealthy underbred girl, to whom cultivation has brought no heart, but has given sense, decision, and good temper, sketched before. The book for her sake is worth reading, but there is not half enough of her.
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