24 MARCH 1883, Page 25

The Blackest of Lies, by Albany de Fonblanque (Remington), Is

a very unpleasant story about very unpleasant people, such as a hysterical clergyman and a Jesuit Father who is given to thieving and poisoning, and a lady who drinks to excess and elopes with a boy. Even the heroine finds herself in such unfortunate circumstances and in such peculiar company, that the telling of " black " lies to her dis- credit is no matter for surprise. Yet the story is told with some vigour, and one character, that of an American Judge, who knows his mind and can express it, is so well drawn that we are sure Mr. de Fonblanque could do much better than he has done in these three volumes, if he tried.