John Tincroft, Bachelor and Benedick. By George E. Sargent. (Religious
Tract Society.)—There is a fine leisurely air about this story which reminds us somehow of the way in which the writers of fiction a century ago were accustomed to amuse their public. Cut out all that could be retrenched without interfering with the story, and the bulk of the book, which is perhaps a trifle too long for the "present necessity," would be materially reduced. Yet we do not want these superfluities away. John Tincroft is a pleasant story, and the character of the hero, who by sheer force of honesty and goodness makes himself beloved and respected in spite of many disadvantages, is well drawn. But Mr. Sargent is going a little too far when he tells us that one of the jokes practised on John's simplicity was the fastening of a red-herring on his hook. We have heard of this before.
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