17 DECEMBER 1892, Page 22

The Guinea Stamp. By Annie S. Swan. (Oliphant, Anderson, and

Ferrier, Glasgow.)—This is a well-written and well-con- structed story, and has an excellent purpose. We question,however, whether it is quite suitable to the class of literature to which it belongs, to bring into such prominence the seamy side of Glasgow life. The story might have been told, we think, with more reticence on this subject. It is not that we are inclined to banish such matter from fiction ; what we say is in the interests of the particular class into whose hands books of this kind are constantly put by persons who, it may well be, never think of reading them. Miss Swan's heroine is a most interesting person, and would not have been less so if her story had been a little differently told We would specify p. 28.