The Town of the Cascades. By Michael Banim. Two volumes.
(Chap- man and Hall.)--Some forty years ago the " Tales by the O'Hara Family " were among the popular novels of the period. Tho tales were Irish stories written by John and Michael Banim under the assumed names of Barnes and Abel O'Hara. The most prolific writer of the two has long since been dead, and the survivor now re-appears on the field of his former victories. Mr. Banim, however, has been unfortunate in his choice of a subject, the doWnward career of the jovial, kind-hearted Irish drunkard being now a rather hackneyed theme. We think, too, the resuscitation cif his hero as a reformed blind beggar outrages pro- bability a little too much. Subject, however, to these trifling criticisms we heartily welcome Mr. Banim back to literature. A novel written in the style which pleased people forty years ago has a charm of its own, and nothing can be more refreshing than the contrast between the modern story, which sacrifices everything to produce suspense and excitement in the reader, and the quiet straightforward narrative of " The Town of the Cascades." It is like turning from the distorted and grotesque
ock-forms of Salvator Rosa to the cool silvery tones of a landscape by Hobbima. Mr. Banim's power of description is very great, and it is set forth by a gentle unforced humour which is in the best taste. Irish life, too, is sketched by one who knows it well, and without exaggeration as in Mr. Lover's capital stories. Perhaps in any other age one might accuse Mr. Banim of want of force. Nowadays that becomes almost a merit.
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