A King's Ransom. By the Author of "The Martyrs of
the Corn- hill." (Pawsey and Hayes, Ipswich ; Simpkin and Marshall, London.)—This is a spirited and well-written story of the days of the Commonwealth. The King is, of course, Charles II., after the Battle of Worcester. A somewhat bold imagination on the part of the writer takes him in the course of his wanderings to Ipswich, an episode which we cannot locate in the usual narra- tive of his escape. It is Ipswich, however, which the author knows, and which, therefore, can best supply the local colour. The personages are drawn with vigour, especially Roger Sparowe, the hero, and Alice, the heroine. But here, too, is something of the same boldness which brings Charles into the Eastern Counties. Could a Roman priest have passed the examination of the triers, and acted for several months as the minister of Ipswich ? The scene in which the " ransom " is paid is well conceived and executed.
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