31 OCTOBER 1885, Page 24

The Rover of the Andes. By R. M. Ballantyne. (J.

Nisbet and Co.) —This "tale of adventure in South America" gives the variety of incident to which we are accustomed from Mr. Ballantyne. There is a sturdy young Englishman, a man of peace, but who has learnt to use single-stick at school, and turns his accomplishment to good use ; a mysterious "Rover," who, suspected of being a brigand, tarns out to be a philanthropist of the very loftiest kind ; a mysterious young lady, supposed to be a descendant of the Incas, but turning out to be something quite different ; and, finally, a comic negro, who makes himself very useful in other ways besides amusing his companions. Mr. Ballantyne'a stories are always instructive as well as entertaining.

It is amusing here to find him owning with regret that his very exemplary hero had the bad habit of smoking.