The Morland.s : a Tale of Anglo - Indian Life. By the
Author of " Sleepy Sketches." (Sampson Low and Co.)—The Anglo-Indian character in this book is very strongly developed, so strongly that it is difficult for one who has not had experience of the ways of the English in India to appreciate it. Harry Berkeley, Super- numerary Deputy-Assistant-Commissioner, by a strange com- bination of chances, becomes Acting-Commissioner at Misbad, a place which we are warned in the preface not to identify with Karachi. Berkeley falls in love with Nellie Morland, who belongs to the " second-class Sahib-logue." Hine maitre lacrynue. We have satirical sketches of the class-distinctions of Anglo-Indian society, and others, not less sharply drawn, of the educated native ; curious specimens of fine-writing from the Indian Press ; and a variety of other matter which, as we have said, would be more interesting if it were more easily intelligible. But there is human nature in the story. The two Morland girls are good ; and the scene where Sophy, who does not strike us before as very wise, saves Mrs. Ravenscroft by her womanly sympathy, is excellent. A book written up to this level, and with fewer local peculiarities about it, should be a decided success.
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