.Necermore ; or, Burnt Butterflies. By John Gaunt. 2 vols.
(Tinsley.) —Mr. Gaunt brings together in the pages of his novel a number of people more or less vicious, or disagreeable, or weak. Some of them combine all these qualities, others have one or more. Julia Thurloe, to whom we are introduced in the first volume, was, we thought, going to turn out a character it might be pleasant to read about ; but the author changes his mind, or does not feel equal to the task, and she becomes a peculiarly inane and foolish person. The book is neither moral nor immoral ; but as the author chooses to write for the most part about worthless persons, his story is scarcely edifying. There is one little matter of which we may remind Mr. Gaunt. The names which a novelist uses should be held to be his property. Lady Ascot belongs to Mr. Henry Kingsley. A Duke of Thanet, who is re- fused by a Mies Dunstable, reminds us of another novelist. Mr. Robsart, of Cumnor Hall, is an appropriation which, though the copyright may be said to have expired, is eminently absurd.
Previous page
