26 SEPTEMBER 1896, Page 22

The Squire. By Mrs. Parr. (Cassell and Co.)—The story doea

not move on perhaps quite as quickly as it might, or as we have got into the habit of requiring in these days of hurry. But it is an interesting story, briskly written, with now and then some smart dialogue, and perfectly wholesome from beginning to end. The " Squire" is a misogynist, not without some excuse, if not justification ; but he is brought to a better mind, and this in a very reasonable way. Uncle David is a pathetic figure, so help- less, but with such an absolute grasp on duty. Tom Sparshot is

the "agreeable rattle," a manly character which the prigs and profligates who crowd modern fiction seldom suffer to appear ; while the two types of girlhood, Madge and Barbara, are both admirable in their way.