Major Vandermere. By the Author of " Ursula's Love-Story." 3
vols. (Hurst and Blackett.)—A novelist may reckon it a success if he or she can contrive surprises for "constant readers," such readers becoming very acute in guessing at what is coming. This success has been in a manner achieved in Major Vandermere. No one would be likely to dis- cover by conjecture the nature of the complications which prolong the story of the major's love-affairs. But then they are unfortunately without any interest ; in fact, they are quite gratuitous additions to the narrative, which serve, as far as we can see, no further purpose than that of making out the three volumes which the author seems to have resolved on producing. Then, again, the sudden discovery of the long-lost wife of Walter Brooksby is quite unexpected. No one would think of looking for her in Mary Mills. Bat then it is an unexpectedness caused by what we cannot but call a gross improbability. Without these additions, the book is a quiet, well-written story, for which those who are content with quite simple fare will feel a mild relish.
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