A Young Flower's Heart. By Thornbrongh BelL 3 vols. (Tinsley
Brothers.)—We fear that the judicious friend is not so commonly found as he should be ; that when he is found, he often lacks courage ; and that when he is at hand, and speaks his mind, he is not listened to. Had such an adviser been at this writer's elbow, he would have said, we fancy, "Alter your title, which is foolishly sentimental. Why should a girl be called young flower,'—not once, it must be remembered, for this might well be, but at the top of every page throughout three volumes ? Strike your pen through at least one half of what you have written, or if you have the heart, through two-thirds." This advice taken, he might have followed it up with detailed criticisms. Nor would the trouble be thrown away. The book is, or rather was, for now it is too late, worth reforming. It shows a power both of humour and of pathos. More than one of the characters is vividly drawn. There are scenes which are well conceived and graphically described. The writer may well do better in a second venture.
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