The Manor Farm. By M. E. Francis. (Longmans and Co.
68.) —Those wise or fortunate people who read " Fiander's Widow" will expect much from The Manor Farm, and will not be dis- sPpointed. The farm is an old manor-house, divided into two habitations, occupied by the Maidment brothers, Giles and Joe. The Maidmenta had a family characteristic of being hard to move, of which they were not a little proud. It can be easily under- stood, therefore, that when the two brothers plan a future laltss.isge between an only son and an only daughter, and these tw0,112 course of time grow up not unfaithful to the tradition of their family, there will be "ructions." The beginning, the e'ssuwe, the ending of these things it is the privilege of Mrs. Pratleses readers to follow. She shows us what some people are
pleased to call "elemental" passions at work; but all is dean and wholesome; there is a golden-age sweetness and simplicity every- where, for even in the golden age, we take it, there were contrary lovers who would and who would not, and all the contrarieties which eternally vary the "old, old story." The Manor Farm, with its delicate humour and fine shading of character—these rustics seem as like as sheep, but have their differences—is excellent reading.
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