The Marquis's Heir. By A. H. Biggs. (S.P.C.K. 2s. 6d.)—Tho
date of the story is the beginning of the French Revolution, and we are introduced to Prank Firth, the hero, while he is still at school. An extraordinary proposal is made to him, that he should become the adopted heir of a French Marquis. The greater part of the narrative is concerned with the muddle and medley of the earlier phases of the Revolution, and excellent reading it is. It is perhaps a little difficult to follow at times, but the details and local colour of the riots and the chlttean-burning have undeniable picturesqueness and realism. The hero is practically a peg on which to hang much contemporary history and several lifelike portraits of subordinate characters. Mr. Biggs has studied and prepared the materials for these with much care, so that a boy will become interested in them while he finds the main plot drag a little at times. There is one fine and impressive personality, that of the Marquis de Bouille, and it is to be regretted that Mr. Biggs did not see his way to make more of him, especially as there are some vigorously drawn rascals in the tale. As depicted in these pages, he reminds us strongly of General Gordon. We recommend boys to read this book with a history of the French Revolution ; it will teach them a great deal of the temper of the times and will hold their attention from start to finish.
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