At AU Hazards. By Frances Heath Freshfield. (George Allen and
Sons. 6s.)—One might say that this is a fiber unites horninis; tini would be the better word, seeing how thoroughly masculine the hero is. Sir Arthur Crewe is a gentleman of Kent,—the author assigns him to a particular part of Kent which she evidently knows, and so helps her story. He is supposed to be a Tory, but he does not like the Stuart policy as Charles in his later days and James directed it, and he does his best to counteract it. It is a double game which he plays, and he plays it with admirable self-possession and skill. The story of his contrivances and his escape is good enough, but it is the vivid personality that impresses us. He takes his place in the portrait-gallery of romance which every one with imagination carries about in his head. The
other characters are sufficiently well drawn, but they are indistinct in comparison with him. We do not see what the heroine finds to fascinate her in Captain Ireleth, and Lawrence is certainly feature- less. But when one gets anything so good as Sir Arthur Crewe it is enough.
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