NOVELS.
SPANISH GOLD.*
IN more ways than one Spanish Gold marks a new development in the literary career of Mr. Birmingham. Hitherto his best work, though enlivened by humorous passages, has been mainly of a serious cast, while he has generally preferred the method of episode to that of connected narrative. Now for the first time he gives us a regular story, the complexion of which is almost continuously cheerful, with occasional lapses into irresponsible frivolity. The result is so exhilarating that a debt of gratitude is owing to the two young ladies who, as we gather from the dedication, persuaded Mr. Birming- ham to write them a tale of buried gold on an island. After all the excellent yarns which have been spun on this subject, from Poe down to Stevenson and "Q," it might seem to argue an excess of daring on the part of Mr. Birmingham to exploit so hackneyed a motive. As a matter of fact, the opportunities afforded by the legends of "Spanish islands" all along the West Coast of Ireland have never yet been utilised in fiction, and Mr. Birmingham's variations on an old theme are so ingenious and original as to lend his book a most alluring freshness. The conflict between rival parties of treasure-seekers is a familiar feature, but he has given it a wholly new twist, thanks to the contrasted characters of the principals in the hunt and the engaging effrontery of the central figure,— time Rev. Joseph John Meldon, Protestant curate of Ballymoy. "J. J.," as be is familiarly known to his friends, is a veritable "Playboy of the West," though strangely different from the central figure of Mr. Synge's drama. Something of a scholar and a philosopher, with a positive genius for argumentation and no respect for persons, athletic, resourceful, good-natured, thick-skinned, and incurably untidy, "3. J.," in virtue of the law that extremes meet, has won the friendship of Major Kent, a retired officer of fastidious habits, on the strength of their common interest in sport and yachting. One day the Major asks his friend to look at some old family papers, in which "J. J." discovers a reference to the treasure, and insists on their exploring the island of Inishgowlan forthwith. On their arrival in Major Kent's yacht "J. J.'s " energies are devoted to concealing their intentions from the inspector of the .Congested Districts Board, an old College friend, and the natives of the island. By a prodigal display of circum- stantial invention, in which Major Kent is invested, to his great dismay, with all manner of imaginary functions, suspicion is disarmed, and the treasure-hunt is vigorously prosecuted. At this juncture, however, Sir Giles Buckley, a dissipated and impecunious absentee Baronet, accompanied by a friend who had hired Meldon's yacht, arrives on a similar errand. The game of bluff is kept up gallantly by the curate, and a crisis is reached when Mr. Willoughby, the Chief Secretary, reaches the island in a steam-yacht. "J. J.," however, shows no reluctance to face the music, and when taxed with unwarrantable perversions of fact by the great man, pulverises him by a masterly vindication of pragmatism as applied to the situation. The Chief Secretary, hypnotised by his voluble antagonist, henceforth accepts the role of an amused but bewildered onlooker, and the oldest inhabitant has actually entrusted the curate with the treasure, when the wicked Baronet, taking them at an advantage, dis- ables them both, and carries off the board. The sequel, which describes bow the undefeated "3. J." turns the tables on his assailants, and, with the aid of Father Mulcrone, the parish priest of an adjoining island, captures the enemy's yacht, is admirably told, and the easy good nature with which "3. J." acquiesces in the disposal of the treasure largely atones for the unscrupulousness of his earlier methods.
The construction of the story leaves some loopholes for
• Spanish Gold. By George A. Birmingham. London : Methuen and Co. [Bs.] criticism. Major Kent, whose conventioal matook ou life renders him an excelleat foil to hie expherant friend, hi allowed in the latter stage of the story to lapse entirely into the background, and hie eelf-effscelnent is not altogether in keeping with his character. There are moments, again, when the loquacity a the curate threatens ta.) retard the march a the narrative. lint it is un- gracious ire cavil at venial. blemishes when the qnality of the entertainment is of such sustained excellence. Though tinged with caricature, the portraits of the Chief Secretary and of Higginbotham reproduce widely different phases of officialdom with conspicuous skill. It is impossible to write a story of modern Ireland without introducing politics, but Mr. sinoighairi is the impartial and genial Satirist of all parties. The islanders, whether " children of a vanishing 'race," like the old patriarch O'Flaherty, with his royal look of "calm and satisfied superiority," or iris impish grandchild, Mary Kate, "J. J.'s" diminutive henchwoman, who always says "it might" for "it is," are drawn from the quick, and their attitude towards the vieiters is indicated with a mingling of humour and sympathy .born of intimate first-hand knowledge. But "3. J." dominates "the scene throughout, and will excite an insatiable desire in 'those who have made his acquaintance to hear more of the 'adventures of this amazing curate.
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