Minstrel Dick. By Christabel R. Coleridge. (Gardner, Darton, and Co.)—Miss
Coleridge has, with a wise moderation, limited the range of her subject. Her story belongs to the dark days when the glories of Edward M.'s reign were passing into gloom. The Black Prince is the central figure. But she does not pretend to dmwhis character "except as it might have appeared to one devoted
friend.", The Black Prince was no example of a Christian hero, but there is every reason to believe that he was more of a patriot and of a wise statesman than the rest of his family. This is the
aspect which Miss Coleridge has emphasised. The real hero is the little singing-boy who runs away from the stern Father
Lawrence, and after a brief sojourn with Red Giles, a travelling • aaler &c finds favour with Sir Walter Perry, and is received juggler, into the Prince of Wales's castle of Berkbampstead. A goodly procession of knights, squires, monks, dames, and maidens is made to pass before our eyes. Now and then we see the noble figure of the dying Prince, and the story culminates in his last effort to do right to the Commons of England in the Good Parlia- ment. Then there is a very pretty love-story. Isabel Langley fixes her heart on some one better than the boorish squire to whom she is promised, and, to the astonishment of an age not accustomed to see maidens have their say in the disposing of their hearts and hands, has her way.
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