22 JUNE 1889, Page 23

St. Veda's. By Annie S. - Swan. (Oliphant, Anderson, and Ferrier.)—This

is one of the most romantic stories which Miss Swan has written, and we think, too, one of her best. If her style sometimes verges on the commonplace, she can always be pathetic, and sometimes strikes a note of great beauty and depth. The old skipper, in particular, is a study of a fine old fisherman that would do credit to any writer, and the two old ladies are nearly as good. The plot, as we have said, is most romantic, with a love-story, a disputed succession, and a great crime. Of this last we must say, however, that neither it nor the criminal is so skilfully treated as either might have been ; that, however, is not in Miss Swan's province. She has told her story simply, and sometimes beautifully.