Frieze and Fustian. By M. E. Francis. (Osgood, Mcllvaine, and
Co.)—It ie not easy to say too much in praise of these delightful sketches. The "Frieze" portion is Irish ; the " Fustian" is English ; and we do not know which we prefer. Perhaps the Irish have the greater charm, possibly by contrast with the dreary tales which we have of late been accustomed to receive from that part of the world. Of the four stories " Long Jack " is possibly the best. Poor Jack has loved in vain, and when a successful rival plays the fair one false to take up with a richer wife, is too loyal to let her know the truth—the two have gone away in search of work—and allows her to suppose that he is dead. "Honine " is equally powerful, but of a more tragical character. In the English portion, " Owd Lads " is particularly touching. Of two old men who are pottering about on the farm where they have worked all their lives, one is dismissed by a reforming steward. The two veterans have been somewhat "snarly" to each other; but this calamity reveals a wonderful amount of sympathy and affection. "Squire's Man" is a fine sketch. The " man " is an old keeper, and his loyalty to the young squire, who has been punished by his guardians for a piece of extravagance by having the shooting let to strangers, is admirably described.—'Mid Green Pastures, by E. Rantoul Esler (Sampson Low, Marston, and Co.), is another volume of sketches of country life and country folk. They have a local unity, for the scene is laid at "Grimpat," a place already made familiar to us by Mrs. Rentoul Esler's earlier work, "How They Lived at Grimpat." There is the same delicacy of touch, the same striking effect produced without effort or exaggeration. The humour is delicate ; the pathos is restrained. The author produces her effects without glaring colours or harsh contrasts. When we look for a comparison, we can think of nothing more like than "Cranford."
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