Biding - Out the Gale. By Annette Lyster. 3 vols. (Samuel Tinsley.)
—Singleton Trelawney, who reminds us somewhat, by the way, of James Hannay's " Singleton Fontenoy,"minna his fancy and scholarship, is cursed with a father, obstinate, selfish, and passionate, and a very wicked and evil-minded cousin- The influence of these two make the "gale" which he has to "ride out." There is not much art about the story, or careful study about the characters, and yet the book has merit. It is impossible to say that the tale is well told, for there is scarcely an effort made to impress the reader ; there is nothing like grouping, and no attempt to increase the interest by the element of suspense. Yet there is a certain liveliness about the narrative which makes one go on read- ing it without weariness. Both Hester and Raid& are pleasant pictures of women whom we feel to have been worthy, and more than worthy, of the love which they won, while Singleton himself has a certain fresh- ness about him which makes him a favourite. Altogether, we recom- mend Riding-Out the Gale to readers who can be pleased, if not satisfied, with tales of moderate merit. And we certainly expect that Miss Lyster, if this be, as we conjecture, her first venture, will do much better hereafter. She has, anyhow, the merit of not being dulL
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