The Story of the "Cheerybls" Grants. By the Rev. W.
Hume Elliot. (Sherratt and Hughes. 4s. net.)—William and Daniel Grant,
natives of Strathspey, came to Lancashire in 1783. Bury and Rams- bottom were the scenes of their commercial activity and success, and, it should be added, of their philanthropy, for the " Cheeryble Brothers" of "Nicholas Nickleby " are no exaggerated copy of the Grants. A curious Controversy has arisen on the question.— Bid Dickens personally know the two men ? He declared that "he had no communication" with them. But this seems to have been something of a suppressio Teri, quite excusable when we remember how the swarm of parasites who love to fatten on the benevolent tried to learn how they might approach these charitable persons. It seems clearly established that Dickens did meet the brothers at dinner in early days. With characteristic readiness, he saw that the manner of the elder brother and the talk of the younger, would make an effective combination. He did so combine the two, and the result is one of his greatest successes. l)fr. Elliot has written a very interesting book.
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