Father Stirling. Two volumes. By James M'Grigor Allan. (T. Cantley
Newby.)—To call this book a novel is simply an imposition. There is a alight framework of story on which is extended a long diatribe against Roman Catholicism and the Jesuits, who are of course represented as striving to make converts of the wealthy for the sake of their money, and carrying out those nefarious schemes by every kind of immorality, and even by crime. Mr. Allan is, however, equally dissatis- fied with the Church both of England and Scotland. Drs. limey and Cumming being satirized under the names of Formula and MacVates, and the more moderate party in the Church of England presented in no very engaging light in the person of the Rev. Mr. Hunter. This uni- versal intolerance and want of charity the author probably dignifies with the name of toleration, as he comically enough dedicates his book to " all practical lovers " of that scarce virtue. The matter of " Father Stirling " both polemical and unpolemical is of the most trite and thread- bare character, such as the anti-Roman fanatics are never tired of repeating, but there is considerable literary power about the style. If the author will in future keep clear of theology he may write an enter- taining work.
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