A Reputed Changeling. By Charlotte M. Yonge. (Macmillan.) —Peregrine Oakshott,
who is, in a way, the hero of this story, is a study of a somewhat novel kind. Perhaps we might say that he is like the young hero of "Misunderstood," a tale which many of our readers will probably remember, the different circumstances of the time being allowed for. Peregrine is really a clever child, who would have done well under good management. Unfortunately, having had a stroke while yet a babe in the cradle, he is regarded by all about him, his stern Puritan father among them, as some- thing uncanny. The common people think of him as a changeling; their betters, for the most part, believe that he is possessed. Naturally be lives up to his character, and is known as the most mischievous imp in the country. As he grows up, good and bad influences struggle for the mastery over him. The struggle is described with much vigour by Miss Yonge, who has evi- dently spent much pains on her delineation of the character. But the most interesting personage in the book is Anne Jacobina Woodford. This young lady has had the good or bad luck to have the Duke of York for a godfather ; and when she has to look out for a livelihood, the Duke, now James TT., gives her a place in the Royal household. She is ap- pointed one of the " rockers " to the young Prince. Miss Yonge thus finds an opportunity of introducing a kind of writing in which she always does well. The picture of King James's Court, of its jealousies and little ambitions ; of the Princess Anne, with her ill- concealed jealousy of her half-brother ; of the Royal nursery, with its curious old-fashioned ways, is singularly good. Anne Jacobina plays a very difficult part with much good sense and tact, and fully deserves all the good fortune which is in store for her.
Previous page
