Frost and Thaw. By J. C. Boyce, M.A. 2 vols.
(Newby.)—Mr. Boyce's purpose in writing his novel is worthy of all praise. He wishes to impress upon his readers the duty of liberal giving, and especially the duty of giving back to the Church the tithes which now belong to lay impropriators. Mankind, English mankind especially, is not likely to err in the excess of this virtue, and Mr. Boyce's preaching has at least the merit of being well intended. We cannot say very much in praise of his execution. The story is but ill put together, and the style feeble. One is inclined to judge of an artist's power of drawing by find- ing him label his characters with names that are only fit for caricatures. So here we have a miser, "Abel Grindstone, of Icicle Lodge." This is but a trifle, yet it helps to make everything seem unreal. Observe, too, the inconvenience of the practice. The miser leaves his fortune and his name to his nephews, and one of these is the admirably philanthropic Frank, who is thus condemned for ever to bear the uncongenial name of Grindstone.
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