The Good Sword Belgarde. By A. C. Curtis. (Henry Frowde
and Hodder and Stoughton. 5s.)—Mr. Curtis is very successful in dealing with the England of King John's time, and has chosen the period when Lewis of France comes over at the invitation of the rebel Barons. The story of Daubeney and young Arnold's dash for Dover is a succession of picturesque incidents, and really brings some convincing figures of mediaeval England on the canvas. The main interest of the story centres in Hubert de Burgh's defence of Dover. The siege of the castle and the atmosphere of war are vigorously rendered and show knowledge and care, and there is no attempt to put stilted phraseology into the mouths of the actors. It is a stirring historical story, and the knights de Burgh and Daubeney stand out strongly and definitely. We congratulate Mr. Curtis and his readers on the tale ; nothing but good wholesome food is in it, and it reads briskly to the end. Boys need never despair of a trustworthy historical picture of life and manners while he can write a book of this stamp.
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