A Fluttered Dovecote. By G. Manville Fenn. (Ward and Downey.)—Mr.
Fenn shows in this story a positively Pickwickian humour, the possession of which will come as a surprise upon many—indeed, upon the majority—of his readers. It is the story of Laura Bozerne, virgin and martyr, of Chester Square, Bel- gravia," who is sent at the age of eighteen by her parents to an "Educational Establishment for Young Ladies." There she falls in love with a French teacher of the usual attractive sort, and with the imposing name of Achille do Tiraille. It is in the course of this love-affair that the incidents occur which recall Mr. Pickwick's adventures in the boarding-school. They are perhaps a trifle too long spun out, but they are certainly very comic and entertaining. Laura finally elopes with Achille; but having, by putting the wrong letter in the wrong envelope, informed her father of her intention, it is frustrated, and she is saved from a swindling scoundrel. As in the end we find her engaged to the Rev. Mr. St. Purre, of St. Sympathetica's, it may be presumed that her life is not quite blighted after all. Some of the other girls at the educational establishment, notably Clara Fitzaore, are quite as well drawn as Laura herself. Altogether, A Fluttered Dovecote, in spite of a tendency to farcicality which is here and there exhibited, is as amusing a book as the season has produced. It is written in a sprightly style, and the interest in its absurditos is admirably sustained.
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