The Sedgeborovgh World. By A. Farebrother. 2 vols. (S. Tinsley.)
—This novel may be read, probably with some pleasure, and certainly without offence. It has two heroines, if we ought to speak of heroines in connection with a narrative which never deals with any but ordinary persons and incidents. There is Florence Aylmer, a young woman who thinks very decidedly for herself in matters of religious belief ; and Beatrice Cadogan, a lady who is at some pains to conceal her good -qualities. Then there are two lovers, Mr. Stuart, a young clergyman -of strict Evangelical opinions; and Major Aylmer, a gentleman with a high ideal of what a woman ought to be, and therefore much shocked by the affectations of Miss Beatrice. The progress of these two love- affairs is told in a very natural and lively way, and the characters of personages who take a share in the action of the new drama, mothers, sisters, friends, in fact the " Sedgeberough World," are sketched with ease and force. The scene in which Mr. Carrick gives up his preten- sions to Beatrice's hand struck us as somewhat extravagant, but this is the only adverse efiticism we have to make on this pleasant tale.
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