book, " The Chronicles of Glenbuckie." The Glenbuckie minister is
transferred to another parish, and the most notable members of his new flock are described. Throughout this description runs the "Minister's Record," with its slender thread of story. The minister himself is well drawn, or rather, made to draw himself, with no little skill. Worthy, affectionate, of little mental power, but not wanting in common-sense, he stands out as a very real person indeed. Ecclesiastical affairs, of course, make up no small part of the story. The " Convention at Braehead," where certain busybodies discuss the shortcomings, imaginary or real, of their neighbours, is pictured to the life. We are a little surprised to find Mr. Johnston speaking of the " liberalising influence of the Disruption." We had thought that the Free Church had put a more rigorous yoke on the neck of its people than they had borne before. There is a very striking description of " A Cameronian Conventicle." Humorous scenes, of course, abound. Perhaps the best is the courtship of Wattie Doon and Henny Wilson, watched
through a peep-hole by the latter's handmaiden. All this chapter is admirable. A pretty little love-story is connected with it. Peggy Miller wins the heart of Andrew Armour, the keeper, by landing a grilse for him in a difficult place. How she helps him afterwards out of a more serious difficulty, is capitally told. This is an entertaining book, with not a little in it that is better than entertainment.
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