29 MAY 1897, Page 23

Rick Dale. By Kirk Munroe. (E. Arnold.)—Alaric Todd is the

delicate and petted younger son of a Californian millionaire. He is not permitted to do anything, for fears of " a weak heart." This becomes intolerable, and he breaks away, beginning by working his passage in a coasting sloop that does some business in the smuggling way. Various things befall him, and at last he finds his way to a lumber camp on the Rockies. It is a lively story, giving vivid pictures of working life in the States.

The First False Step. By the Rev. P. G. Soane. (R.T.S.)—This is a story of school life. The writer attains, we think, a more than average degree of success. His boys talk naturally, and the excellent moral is enforced not too obtrusively.