4 JULY 1896, Page 30

Dr. Gray's Quest. By Francis H. Underwood, LL.D. (Gay and

Bird.)-This is a well-written story of American life. The characters are drawn with no common skill. Perhaps Mercy Starkweather, afterwards Winterton, though certainly the least attractive of the whole gallery, is the best study. The action of the story is to be found mainly in the "quest" iteelf,-i.e., the search made by Dr. Gray for the evidence which will bring about the release of an innocent man from prison. This is good enough when we reach it, but the reaching takes a long time. However, Dr. Gray's Quest is so thoroughly wholesome, without the least affectation or attempt to moralise. that we are glad to take it as it is,