3 DECEMBER 1898, Page 29

The Fortunes of the Charlton Family. (Wells Gardner, Darton, and

Co.)—The "Charlton Family" was a very fortunate one, not so much in worldly matters as in the moral development of its members. A vain and foolish daughter becomes quite sensible ; a son who is a scapegrace, not to say a ruffian, becomes a reformed character. More marvellous still, a hard-hearted old uncle becomes gentle and generous. But quite possibly it is better to be idealistic than realistic in these matters.