5 JANUARY 1867, Page 27

The Fireships. A Story of the last Naval War. By

W. H. G. Kingston. Illustrated Edition. (Sampson Low, Son, and Marston.)— Mr. Kingston is quite in his glory here. The tale abounds in stirring incident—land villains and sea villains, child-stealers, and pirates and Frenchmen appear at various times upon the scene, and work their wicked acts, until they receive their due chastisement from the hero. He is a hero after a boy's own heart ; generous, and brave, and fortunate enough to rescue the woman he loves from frightful dangers. We quite accord to the author what he seems to claim, that he has pro- duced a tale of nautical adventure which will be taken up with pleasure by high-spirited boys, and not laid down till the end of a winter's evening.