A Life's Devotion. By Lady Virginia Sandars. (Hurst and Blackett.)—Though
the writer has elected to treat the more tragic aspects of life, we are not sure that a relation of uninteresting life, say in Ireland, would not have suited her capacity better. Most of her characters are good, though they are not very real. Lord Lilburn's jealousy is conveyed with some force, but we prefer Bridget and the Ballina scenery and bogs, with which the writer is evidently much more at home. The interest is fairly continuous, and the story is certainly a well-balanced one ; still, the writer lacks the literary touch and suggestiveness, that knack of leaving things unsaid, especially moral conclusions. Shelah is so fine and tender a character, that we get somewhat tired of her. A Life's Devotion is a decidedly readable novel, and perhaps the more so that the sentimental element is almost entirely wanting, though there is plenty of true sentiment for those who can appre- ciate it.
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