Ring, or Knave? By the Author of "Hilda and I."
2 vols. (Chap- man and HalL)—This is not equal to the tales which wo have seen before from the same hand. The story of Godfrey Duncombe's ruin is, perhaps, not exaggerated. It is possible for men to be equally foolish, and to throw away with equal recklessness their chances of happiness. Some seem to be like "brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed." But Godfrey Duncombe was not, as the author describes him, one of these, and we demand a certain vraisemblance when we are told of the madness with which he goes with eyes open to his ruin. There must have been some subtle process of self-deception, and we want this set before us. And then a more skilful, a less openly villainous and vulgar Mephistopheles than Major Tyler was wanted. He is quite a woman's "rascaL" Men are not led to their rain by such creatures as he. Nor can we say much for Mr. Elphinstone, who strikes us as being anything but real. The women aro better drawn. Jessica's affection for her good-for nothing step-father is quite a pathetic picture. She was a great deal too good for Mr. Elphinstone, even though he had become "my lord."
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