aleanty Abercrato. By Bernard Capes. (Methuen and Co. 6n—Mr. Capes
has done in this book what, for all his literary ability, he has not always succeeded in doing,—given his readers a very well constructed and interesting story. After introducing his hero; who; we may say, is a highwayman-of a very attractive kind, the • author begins his tale proper with a promising nkystery. Why does Sir Horace Clare, who seems to be a half- crazy dabbler in alchemy, not likely to harm any one but himself, suddenly summon his seventeen-year-old daughter Kitty, and command her on her filial obedience to marry an unknown -stranger? The answer to that question occupies us for the two hundred and' fifty pages that are left us, and does so with an excellent result in the way of entertainment. There is an adroit admixture of political interest, for the scene is laid at a critical time, after the " Forty-five " had failed, but before the Jacobites Cad. given up their hopes. The part that Jemmy Abercraw plays in the drama* is well contrived. The tale is one of surprises, of which, lest we should spoil the interest, we will say nothing but that they are skilfully devised and skilfully sustained.
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