Across Country. By John Gilbert. (Digby, Long, and Co.) —We
cannot honestly affirm this "sporting romance" to be a success. The story at times is unnecessarily drawn out, and fails to attract the interest of the reader. Mr. Gilbert, in order to inform the reader of some of the previous facts of the life of Jack Merton, the hero of the tale, makes the latter indulge in a reverie of old times, a very uninteresting performance. The story then proceeds with a description of a fox-hunt, of which the first run lasts an hour and twenty-seven minutes at a very fast pace, and at the end, after a slight check, a score of riders are up ; this is surely rather quick work. On the same day, during a second run, Mary Druce, the object of Merton's affections, has a bad fall, and on being assisted to her feet by Merton in " this thrilling moment " declares her love for him, much to his surprise. An account of a dinner given by Merton to his friends is tedious and ridiculously drawn out. Merton afterwards goes to Africa to better his fortunes, and fights through the Matabele War, an account of which claims a considerable part of the volume. Mary Druce, in spite of her passionate declaration of love for Merton, marries some one else six months after his departure. Merton, however, in another six months has got over this dis- appointment, and married the adopted daughter of a rich uncle, who has turned up very opportunely. The narrative is written in poor style, and in no part claims the interest of the reader.
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