NEW Novir.s.* THERE are various points of merit in Mr.

Hannay's Eustace Con- yers but its great feature is the effective exhibition of two contrasted characters, both indicative of the age or its wants. Henry Mildew represents the keen, active-minded, worldly, in- tellectual adventurer of the present day, bent upon rising in life, and doing nothing without a motive, though professing if not feeling "nil admirari " principles, and despising the world whose favour he advocates : and the tendency of the present time is undoubtedly to admire and reward this kind of genius, while the supply, according to the economists, will follow the de- mand. Eustace Conyers, the hero, is the brave, true, straightfor- ward worker, or sound practical man, doing what lies before him as a matter of duty or part of his nature; advancing in life by dint of doing the work of life, if not advanced in proportion to his deserts, and utterly careless of self-interest, or the art of managing others for his own advantage : and though this kind of character is not so conspicuous as in the older and more heroic times, still the man is to be found, if not in politics or high place, in some of the energetic walks of private life, and "among "the mariners of England."

These two dramatis personae are put into a sort of story, which ap. propriately leads Mildew to law and politics, and Eustace to the navy, where he goes through various nautical adventures. The i

story, however, s not the strong point of Eustace Conyers. Nicely painted characters are a great feature, from such elaborate por- traits as old Mr. Conyers, the antiquarian' unworldly divine, fully regardful of his ancient but reduced family ; or his father- in-law, Captain Tnrberville, a hero of Trafalgar, and follower of Collingwood, devoted to the service, though grumbling at its decay; down to the passing sketches of conspicuous officers, or the youngsters of the midshipman's mess. As remarkable a feature

• Eustace Conyers: a Novel. By James Hannay, Author of "Singleton Fonte- noy." "Satire and Satirists," 8ce. In three volumes. Published by Hurst and Blackett.

Cleve Hall. By the Author of " Amy Herbert," "The Experience of Life," &C. In two volumes. Published by Longman and Co. The Career of a Rising Man: a Novel. By 15. Viener, Author of "Arthur Clif- ton." In three volumes. Published by Newby.

Love versus Law, or Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister: a Novel. By Jo- seph Middleton, Esq., Barrister-at-law. In three volumes. Published by Newby. as the characters are the dialogues and little scenes occurring, less for what they dramatically contain than for the moral they point, and the goodnatured satire or passing pictures of the world and its opinions they exhibit. Another trait of Eustace Conyers is its healthy spirit.. The author has political and public views not exactly in favour of Whigs, or past and present management of affairs, or the mercantile and selfish ideas of the age; but he touches his antipathies gently—flapping rather than striking, and runs into no exaggeration. The opinions, too, which he wishes to impress, are manly andrabove-board. In the oareer of a youth at sea, there must, we suppose, be some uniformity: Although there is nothing like resemblance still less imitation in Eustace Conyers, some parts—the early parts espe- cially—will probably recall Peter Simple. The remembrance, however, is less for any particular features, than for general cha- racteristics, and the easy truth with which the simplest things are depicted, so as to come before the mind like realities. Take, as an example, the first appearance of Eustace' and his excellent simple-minded father, on board the Hildebrantl, commanded by a captain who had made his way in the world by good-nature and flattery of all who could help him.

"A massive hull, standing out of the sea as quietly as a mountain—its sides glittering with fresh-painted black and white squares, dotted with the mouths of cannon—three masts towering away to the skies, with a load of yards and cordage, which they bear as naturally and harmoniously as a tree does its branches—such is the picture that Eustace's vision drinks in. That is a man-of-war, then ? His heart beats quick. Two feelings seize him al- ternately: what a wee item am I, in that great mass of power ; but it is an honour to be even that.

"Nearer and nearer, grander and grander, loomed the Hildebrand upon them, out of the sea. The boat glides under the great galleried stern, which overhangs them like the roof of a house, and reaches the ladder at the lar- board-side. There is an ' accommodation-ladder ' there, up which they ascend. Boys attend, and hand ropes, and touch their caps to our friend Eustace. In a moment, they are on deck. Captain Turberville assumes the management of the party ; for Eustace and his father are lost at once, and all adrift in the strange scene. The lieutenant of the watch, a sharp-looking gentleman with black whiskers, carrying a telescope with flags painted upon it, receives them. He looks at Eustace as if he was going to buy him— critically. 'Ab, brought us a new youngster, sir ? He'll complete the number.'

"'Sir,' says the Reverend Mr. Conyers, in his most courtly manner, have the honour. Let me present my son, Eustace Ivo Conyers. I trust that he will deserve as well of the profession as the profession does of Eng- land.'

"A twitch of the nether lip seized the sharp lieutenant for a moment. Eustace bowed. Just then he was liker his father than he generally was. You may notice such facts in such momenta. "'Is Captain Mogglestonleugh aft, or hasn't be come off this morning ? ' "It was Captain Turberville who spoke. The sharp lieutenant's air changed. " He is on board, air,' he answered, considerably more impressed. "'Fm Captain Turberville of the Navy, and this lad's my grandson. I should like to see Mogglestonleugh, if he's not very busy.' "The lieutenant departed along the deck in a moment, and disappeared into what Eustace thought a mysterious recess in the distance. "'Why, I thought that was the captain,' said the innocent Mr. Conyers. "'He be damned !' said Captain Turberville. He'll find l'm not a greenhorn, I can tell him.' Eustace laughed, and was proud of his old grandsire, who looked about him as if he commanded the ship himself. The truth was, that Turberville's eye had discerned a sneer at good Mr. Conyers's formal speech in the sharp lieutenant's face. Besides which, he had mis- taken him, Turberville, for a landsman. He was in plain clothes, it is true; but he would have liked a professional eye to have discerned the naval man in that humbler disguise. Good, old, obstinate, brave, kind, passionate Tur- berville!

"Now a slight sensation took place on deck. Hats and caps are touched, far and wide. A bland, handsome, portly gentleman, with bran-new epau- lettes glittering on his shoulders, emerges from beneath yen raised deck, which greenhorns' marvel at, and naval men call the 'poop.' On his arm leans a languid handsome lady, floating in a cloud of silk and lace. The portly gentleman touches his cap, and all caps are touched, as we said, far and wide ; for the captain, by his salute, recognizes the Crown, whereto all other persons reverently respond. "Captain Turberville introduced himself, and then his relatives. Eustace made his bow to the captain. As he did so, the languid dame reconnoitered him through a gold eye-glass, and seemed satisfied.

"'My dear,' said Captain Mogglestonleugh, ' CaptaikTurberville. We know your name, my dear sir. Eh, Milly ? My lot has been cast in peace- ful times, but I was nourished on the old war stories. Every child of mine has read of Collingwood's officers, Captain Turberville.'

"Praise upset Captain Turberville in all cases, but praise from a fat easy i gentleman, who had never seen a shot fired in anger n his life, was not at all to his taste, He answered, civilly and shortly, No merit to us, air—led

as we were. I hope this i boy, my grandson, will do for the service. He has a passion for the sea. There s the makings of a good officer and a good man in him, and he comes of a fighting family.' "The captain smiled in his own agreeable way. What a goodnatured man! thought Eustace.

"'He will have very agreeable fellow youngsters. There is a Trevor, a

relation of my wife's, Mr. Cony era,' said the captain, smiling. There is young Delaney, Lord Thistle's youngest; a Gorling of the Nest ; Mr. Bobbin from Lancashire. I dare say you know some of the names ? ' " ' I have met the eldest son of Lord Thistle at Huutingland Castle ; the Delancys used to have a property next ours,' Mr. Conyers answered simply.

"The captain's smile came more gushingly than ever now. He asked them into the cabin, and proffered lunch."

Cleve Hall belongs to a class of fictions which combine the elements and objects of the juvenile tale with the persons and mode of treatment of the full-blown novel. They exhibit for the most part a didactic purpose, excellent feeling in the writer, a sus- tabled and elegant style, with a knowledge of some particular classes of society, or a metaphysical power of drawing characters. If we exclude Heartsease and perhaps one or two other books from the category this class of fiction is hardly successful In a good juvenile talenhe elements of the story, as regards length, persons, incidents, and purpose, form a congruous whole, and, if not a counterpart of life, have a received consistency of their own. When youthful actors, their trainers and instruction—all import- ant as they are to the rising generation—are brought into oon- nexion with the anxieties, passions, and aims of middle and ad- vaneed age, there is a mixture of opposites that mars the interest.

This defect is strongly felt in Cleve Hall. The purpose of the juvenile part of the story is to exhibit the obstinate weakness of Mrs. Campbell, the grandmother of the young Vivian; to show the faults which nature circumstances, and the mismanagement of the old lady, have produced in her grandchildren, and their im- provement by the exertions of two maiden aunts. The circum- stances of maturer life are the misconduct and marriage of General Vivian's son, his banishment and return, and the efforts made to bring about a reconciliation. When this is done, it turns out that Edward Vivian's guilt was not so great as it appeared ; a cousin, a Captain Vivian, in revenge for the loss of his be- loved, who married Edward, having not only led him into dis- reputable doings, but committed forgery in his name. The Captain also carries on machinations against the grandson, Clement. Hence, we have on one side the school-room and its lessons, while the other exhibits the smuggling adventures and loose schemes of a reckless broken-down gentleman and his satellites. Thus, the scene alternates from low ruffians and their coarse arts of corrup- tion or violence, to the didactic training of children or youth, and not unfrEsquently to dialogues contrived to exhibit somewhat tediously juvenile tempers. In short, Cleve Hall is a well-written book on a mistaken principle.

The difficulties that beset a rising man till he has risen, whe- ther it be as adventurer in politics or as forensic aspirant—for-we have not got to a speculator in commerce, or a scientific inventor, as a subject for romance—would be a good field for the exhibition of the world as it is, with the requisite knowledge and genius on the part of the writer. M. Viener, in The Career of a Rising Man, does not exhibit genius, but he shows great skill and capa- city for novel-writing. His conception is distinct, his delineation forcible, his narrative easy ; and he has sufficient dramatic power to effectively exhibit scenes of depth or power. What is wanted is matter and sufficient likelihood.. Formally the story belongs to the last generation, but the air is often of this ; and the manners, though not very lifelike, would pass for ours. The materials come from the older novels, and not by any means novels of the first class. The story starts from a seduction by means of a false marriage ; the idea copied from Mackenzie, and long since worn to rags in the pages of the Minerva Press. Revenge upon her false lover, and the advancement of her son, are the moving prin- ciples of Therese from first to last ; and are pursued with un- dying determination through every change of fortune, and under circumstances more convenient to the story than altogether probable. The other prominent character Eeaumanoir, who loses his fortune by his father's extravagance, and makes his way by unflagging industry, has been suggested by fancy rather than reality. The persons and scenes connected with the career of these prominent figures are very numerous, and varied enough ; but they want the appearance of truth, and come to us not like a reflection from life but a reproduction from books. There is, how- ever, a good deal of vigour or cleverness, or both, in the reproduction. Here is an example ; Therese, the daughter of an exiled Jacobite, rejecting her humble French lover. 'No! Did you say no ? ' he said, passionately. May I not even hope ? You say that you love no one. You know that I would lay down my life to serve you. When I first spoke to you of this, you did not then repel me. Since then, I have only striven to please you. Say but the word, and I give up the farm and go to Paris to study for an advocate. I have abandoned my rough comrades—I have only visited the cure—I have--"

"'Learnt dancing,' interposed his companion, with a quiet smile. "'Are you laughing at ins?' said the young man, stopping short, his face all flushing. 'Are you laughing at me, because, for love of you, I have tried to refine my 'mind and person to be more worthy of you ? Are you laughing at me, because, for your sake, I blushed to be a clown ?—because I thought that, fair and graceful as you were, with all my truth and love, my rough manner might displease you ?—because I said to myself, 'When the young Vicomte rides by, sitting his horse so nobly, she looks at him with pleasure, and smiles when he raises his cap so gracefully : perhaps, if I learnt to lift my hat as he does, to sit my horse as easily, she will smile on me too, not only because I look a gentleman, but because my love for her made me one? Will you laugh at me now, Therese ? ' " Forgive me,' she replied, gently, and bolding out her hand, that Hector bent over as if it had been a queen's, not daring even to touch it with his lips. 'Forgive me—I was wrong; but, monsieur—' 'Hector, Hector ! ' interrupted Levels, eagerly, you always called me Hector, until lately.' " ' Eh hien, Hector, let us talk quietly. I think that you are fond of me, more fond of me than I deserve. I wish it were not so,' she added, with a sigh, for it is useless. You must forget this fancy. There are many, very many more worthy---' "'Hush, hush ! ' he said, in a tremulous voice. 'Say that my love can never be returned—do not insult it. And yet, Therese, why ? why ? you clid not seem to dislike or discourage me before. As to your not being worthy, that is all nonsense : I know that I am a poor, stupid fellow, compared to you; but still you didn't dislike me once. What have I dons? How have I offended ? '

" In nothing,' said the beauty, with a little sadness in her voice. That is not it.'

"'Say, Therine, shall I go to Paris, and study ? I heard you say once you would never marry a man who was no scholar. In Paris I may learn more than I can here. It's true that I didn't use to care for books; but you have made me a student I have made some progress in the last few months. The cure thinks that in time I may—I need not disgrace even you, Therese,' said the poor boy, with a sob. "'Hector,' answered Therese,. hesitatingly, it is useless. You have mill. taken me. I do not care one dolt about learning for—itself.'

"'Mon Dieu!' cried Levois, turning white. I think that 1—Therese, if I wrong you, I will ask your pardon on my knees ; but lie months ago 31. Thion was living, and I was supposed to be his heir ; now he is dead, suds. found to have left a son to inherit his property. Grand Dieu !' he continued, with great excitement. 'You blush—you turn away—you dare not look me in the face. You—you would have given to a miserable fortune what you would have denied to my honest love ; you, the clever, proud demoiselle, you would have—Oh, I am a wretched fool; I have worshiped as a saint a worldly-hearted woman ; and now, now—' "'Hector,' she said, in a low voice. Re had clenched his hand upon his face. 'Hector.'

" 'Go, mademoiselle,' he said, bitterly : I am only a poor, ill-educated farmer. I am not rich, or a gentleman.' " Will you listen to me ?

"'}o !' he said, almost fiercely. What do you care for the sorrow of a poor fellow like me? I am not rich enough, mademoiselle, to buy your pity!' "'Hector,' she said, proudly raising her head, you shall listen to me : then I will go, and the next time we meet you will shake hands and be friends with me. I do not deny that had you been your uncle's heir I might in time have learned to love you, for you are a brave, noble-hearted man, M. Levois. But as it is, it can never you : I am no fit wife for a poor man. There is a passion here,' she said, earnestly, and clenching her hand upon her breast, stronger than love, stronger than my thirst for knowledge, or rather my thirst for knowledge is only for its sake—it is ambition "He looked at her, with eyes no longer angry, but sorrowful for her, as she threw back the thick hair from her fair forehead, and planted her foot proudly to the ground. " '1 !' she cried, I live all my life among boors and peasants ; I bend my head humbly as the seigneur rides by—I tell you they shall bow as they pass to me ! I cannot breathe in a village home; I want a larger sphere. If my father has no de before his name, we are noble, we Murrays—I must rise.' "Therese Murray,' said Hector Levels, with earnest and grave tones, I do not know much of the world, but this I feel—and the heart is a sure prophet—the wreath that is grown upon the grave of love may turn to thorns in the hand that grasps it ; the fortune that is built upon the ruins of all tender feelings has but a sad foundation. I will try to forgive you : if you have spoken your true feelings, you will need no other enemy than your own Reif. You are young, and very bmutiful; but the time will come when you may regret the love of the poor, despised man, but who had at least a heart to offer you. You may know what that means some day. And so—and so God guard you—and farewell!' "lie turned, and was gone."

Love versus Law has literary merit, with a power of description both of scenes and persons; and the manner or style is that of the present day ; but the story is not naturally managed, from want of the invention and dramatic spirit needful to the novelist.