Bruno the Conscript, By Marie Hutcheson. (Hutchinson and Co.)—Bruno is
a young Italian who is just on the point of gratify- ing his strong artistic tastes by entering the studio of a sculptor, when his career is pitilessly stopped by the Conscription. He draws an unlucky number, and has to shoulder the rifle. Of course this is all verY sad, especially when the trouble is compli- cated by the peculiar circumstances of Bruno's parentage and bringing up, as Miss Hutcheson relates them. But the system of the Conscription is not thereby condemned. There is something unreasonable in the denunciation of it in which our author indulges. We are unpleasantly reminded of the style of a com- monplace "temperance story." This is not to do justice to the excellent quality of Miss Hutcheaon's work. The characters are finely conceived, and drawn with great skill. The two girls, Beatrice and Adele, laborantes in uno, and Bruno, the unlucky Conscript, are admirably aketched. The dialogue, too, is very well done, full of Italian colour, and cleverly illustrated with the proverbs with which Italian speech is so plentifully spiced. We must praise, too, the restraint and good taste with which the denouement of the story is managed.
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