Jedwood Justice. By Albany de Fonblanque. 3 vole. (Bentley and
Sons.)—This novel has decided merits. It is written through- out with force ; it has a carefully constructed plot, and ends with a denouement which the reader, even though experienced in guessing at surprises, will hardly have expected. That Dick was not guilty of the misdoing attributed to him, is a conviction with which we start, which we struggle to hold against proof that seems to overact it, and in which we find ourselves finally justified. The art with which Mr. de Fonblanque contrives all this is quite admirable. If we are to criticise anything, it is the declaration of love which Bertha makes to the hero at a time when, experienced woman of the world as she was, she ought to have known that it was absolutely hopeless. And Mrs. Barbour is a little too dis- agreeable. How could such a mother have had such a daughter as " Dormouse "?
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