Cousin Ned. By Louisa M. Gray. (D. Boyce and Son,
Glasgow.) —There are some very lifelike characters in Cousin Ned,—Mr. Hamilton, for instance, who is a genuine Sabbatarian of the Scotch type, and Winnie Maxwell, his step-daughter. There is, however, a certain want of vivacity about the story, which is somewhat long. The plot cannot be called interesting. The description of how Cousin Ned thought he was in love, but found he was not, and how Winnie Maxwell fell in love with him at first sight, but married some one else, is decidedly tedious. Both the cousins show so much indecision, that one's interest in them wanes as the story progresses. The loud, rough Hamilton and the gentle Dunbar are two of the best characters that the late Louisa M. Gray ever
described,—natural, and of a type to be instantly recognised. Cousin Ned was written, so we are told, some years ago, and under the circumstances, it is difficult to give a decided opinion. Though in some respects good, we cannot call it one of the best that Louisa M. Gray ever wrote.
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