15 JULY 1876, Page 22

Mr. Dorillion. By Jean Middlemass. 3 vols. (Chatto and Winans.)

—We shall quote a specimen from page 3 of the first volume, to account for the weariness which has absolutely prevented us from getting through this book :—" As this was the only middle-class school the place afforded, it was naturally a tolerably flourishing one, though the topics of national education had not grown out of all limits, as it has done in these later days." We got, indeed, a good way beyond page 8, but found the book about as insipid and colourless as anything that we have ever read, or attempted to read. It is only fair to say that the paper and printing are unexceptionable. In fact, it looks quite a good novel, before you open it.