Buckholt " is a large farm, and is most successfully
managed by the wife of its owner, "Bray of Buckholt," whose husband at the opening of the book has left her keeping house for his father, while he himself has sought his fortune in the New World. The chief interest of the story lies in the character of the wife, Caroline Bray, whose position and feelings, both during her husband's absence and after his return, are analysed by the author with a minute care which sets the woman alive before the eyes of the reader. Anthony Bray, the husband, weak, vicious, and self- indulgent, is also a very carefully conceived figure ; and with great skill Mr. White has conveyed the impression that the admirable and undoubtedly attractive Caroline was to a certain extent responsible for some of her husband's shortcomings. Like many thoroughly capable people, she fails in comprehension and sympathy. Besides the interest of the character-drawing, the pictures of English country life are full of charm, and will make the most hardened Cockney feel inclined to try the experiment of going "back to the land." The book is very far above the ordinary level of successful contemporary fiction.
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