The Shadow of the Raggexlstone, by Charles F. Grindrod (Simpkin,
Marshall, and Co), is a historical romance of the twelfth century, The Shadow of the Raggexlstone, by Charles F. Grindrod (Simpkin, Marshall, and Co), is a historical romance of the twelfth century, which takes its name from a peak of the Malvern range that plays a somewhat tragic part in the evolution of the plot. Mr. Grindrod, although his book abounds in tournaments, disguises, family quarrels, revenges, poetical justice, and other sensational matter appropriate to the legitimate historical melodrama, is hardly seen to such advantage in it as in his " Tales in the Speech-House." His plot seems too much for him ; his love-making lags ; he gives us too many conversations, and his tipsy comic man, Brother Hubert, suggests a not altogether favourable comparison with the jovial Friar of "Ivanhoe." Mr. Grindrod must beware, too, lest he be run away with by a somewhat grandiose and cloudy style, which he has cultivated well rather than wisely, and by Teutonisms like " fern-swept gullies," " double-peaked summits," " grey-stolod past," "far-off race," " the many-staged theatre," and " this ever-playing world," which are all crowded into the compass of twelve lines. At the same time, both the senti- ment and the diction of The Shadow of the Raggedstone are much superior to those of the average historical romance ; and the two leading characters in it, the monk Bernard and Mistress Edith, are powerfully drawn and contrasted.
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