6 MARCH 1886, Page 23

Mere vole. By Mrs. John Bradshaw. (Sonnenschein.)—This thoroughly well-meaning book

is evidently meant to exemplify the sentence from Carlyle which stands as its motto,—" There is in man a Higher than love of HappinEns : he can do without Happiness, and instead thereof find Blessedness." Unfortunately, the story's merits are not equal to its intentions. Its characters—the squire and rector of a quiet country place, with their families, friends, and retainers— are destitute of originality, and seem to be mere adaptations from other novels, instead of being portraits of real people. We thought them all woefully uninteresting, and do not believe their history would have caused a thrill of excitement even in the sensitive breast of Mre. Wititterley.