VIII.—CARDINAL WISEMAN’S RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LAST FOUR POPES.
“A picturesque book on Rome and its ecclesiastical sovereigns, by an eloquent Roman Catholic. Cardinal Wiseman has here treated a special subject with so much generality and geniality that his recollections will excite no ill-feeling in those who are most conscientiously opposed to every idea of human infallibility represented in Papal domination.”—Athenæum.
IX.—A LIFE FOR A LIFE.
BY THE AUTHOR OF “JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN.”
“We are always glad to welcome Mrs. Craik. She writes from her own convictions, and she has the power not only to conceive clearly what it is that she wishes to say, but to express it in language effective and vigorous. In ‘A Life for a Life’ she is fortunate in a good subject, and she has produced a work of strong effect. The reader, having read the book through for the story, will be apt (if he be of our persuasion) to return and read again many pages and passages with greater pleasure than on a first perusal. The whole book is replete with a graceful, tender delicacy; and, in addition to its other merits, it is written in good careful English.”—Athenæum.
“‘A Life for a Life’ is a book of a high class. The characters are depicted with a masterly hand; the events are dramatically set forth; the descriptions of scenery and sketches of society are admirably penned; moreover, the work has an object—a clearly defined moral—most poetically, most beautifully drawn, and through all there is that strong, reflective mind visible which lays bare the human heart and human mind to the very core.”—Morning Post.
X.—THE OLD COURT SUBURB.
BY LEIGH HUNT.
“A book which has afforded us no slight gratification.”—Athenæum.
“From the mixture of description, anecdote, biography, and criticism, this book is very pleasant reading.”—Spectator.
“A more agreeable and entertaining book has not been published since Boswell produced his reminiscences of Johnson.”—Observer.
XI.—MARGARET AND HER BRIDESMAIDS.
BY THE AUTHOR OF “THE VALLEY OF A HUNDRED FIRES.”
“We recommend all who are in search of a fascinating novel to read this work for themselves. They will find it well worth their while. There are a freshness and originality about it quite charming, and there is a certain nobleness in the treatment both of sentiment and incident which is not often found.”—Athenæum.
XII.—THE OLD JUDGE; OR, LIFE IN A COLONY.
BY SAM SLICK.
“A peculiar interest attaches to sketches of colonial life, and readers could not have a safer guide than the talented author of this work, who, by a residence of half a century, has practically grasped the habits, manners, and social conditions of the colonists he describes. All who wish to form a fair idea of the difficulties and pleasures of life in a new country, unlike England in some respects, yet like it in many, should read this book.”— John Bull.
XIII.—DARIEN; OR, THE MERCHANT PRINCE.
BY ELIOT WARBURTON.
“This last production of the author of ‘The Crescent and the Cross’ has the same elements of a very wide popularity. It will please its thousands.”—Globe.
“Eliot Warburton’s active and productive genius is amply exemplified in the present book. We have seldom met with any work in which the realities of history and the poetry of fiction were more happily interwoven.”—Illustrated News.
XIV.—FAMILY ROMANCE; OR, DOMESTIC ANNALS OF THE ARISTOCRACY.
BY SIR BERNARD BURKE, ULSTER KING OF ARMS.
“It were impossible to praise too highly this most interesting book, whether we should have regard to its excellent plan or its not less excellent execution. It ought to be found on every drawing-room table. Here you have nearly fifty captivating romances with the pith of all their interest preserved in undiminished poignancy, and any one may be read in half an hour. It is not the least of their merits that the romances are founded on fact—or what, at least, has been handed down for truth by long tradition—and the romance of reality far exceeds the romance of fiction.”—Standard.
XV.—THE LAIRD OF NORLAW.
BY MRS. OLIPHANT.
“We have had frequent opportunities of commending Messrs. Hurst and Blackett’s Standard Library. For neatness, elegance, and distinctness the volumes in this series surpass anything with which we are familiar. ‘The Laird of Norlaw’ will fully sustain the author’s high reputation. The reader is carried on from first to last with an energy of sympathy that never flags.”—Sunday Times.
“‘The Laird of Norlaw’ is worthy of the author’s reputation. It is one of the most exquisite of modern novels.”—Observer.
XVI.—THE ENGLISHWOMAN IN ITALY.
BY MRS. G. GRETTON.
“Mrs. Gretton had opportunities which rarely fall to the lot of strangers of becoming acquainted with the inner life and habits of a part of the Italian peninsula which is the very centre of the national crisis. We can praise her performance as interesting, unexaggerated, and full of opportune instruction.”—The Times.
“Mrs. Gretton’s book is timely, life-like, and for every reason to be recommended. It is impossible to close the book without liking the writer as well as the subject. The work is engaging, because real.”—Athenæum.
XVII.—NOTHING NEW.
BY THE AUTHOR OF “JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN.”
“‘Nothing New’ displays all those superior merits which have made ‘John Halifax’ one of the most popular works of the day. There is a force and truthfulness about these tales which mark them as the production of no ordinary mind, and we cordially recommend them to the perusal of all lovers of fiction.”—Morning Post.
XVIII.—LIFE OF JEANNE D’ALBRET, QUEEN OF NAVARRE.
BY MISS FREER.
“We have read this book with great pleasure, and have no hesitation in recommending it to general perusal. It reflects the highest credit on the industry and ability of Miss Freer. Nothing can be more interesting than her story of the life of Jeanne D’Albret, and the narrative is as trustworthy as it is attractive.”—Morning Post.
XIX.—THE VALLEY OF A HUNDRED FIRES.
BY THE AUTHOR OF “MARGARET AND HER BRIDESMAIDS.”
“If asked to classify this work, we should give it a place between ‘John Halifax’ and ‘The Caxtons.’”—Standard.
“The spirit in which the whole book is written is refined and good.”—Athenæum.
“This is in every sense a charming novel.”—Messenger.
XX.—THE ROMANCE OF THE FORUM; OR, NARRATIVES, SCENES, AND ANECDOTES FROM COURTS OF JUSTICE.
BY PETER BURKE, SERJEANT AT LAW.
“This attractive book will be perused with much interest. It contains a great variety of singular and highly romantic stories.”—John Bull.
“A work of singular interest, which can never fail to charm and absorb the reader’s attention. The present cheap and elegant edition includes the true story of the Colleen Bawn.”—Illustrated News.
XXI.—ADÈLE.
BY JULIA KAVANAGH.
“‘Adèle’ is the best work we have read by Miss Kavanagh; it is a charming story, full of delicate character-painting. The interest kindled in the first chapter burns brightly to the close.”—Athenæum.
“‘Adèle’ will fully sustain the reputation of Miss Kavanagh, high as it already ranks.”—John Bull.
“‘Adèle’ is a love-story of very considerable pathos and power. It is a very clever novel.”—Daily News.
XXII.—STUDIES FROM LIFE.
BY THE AUTHOR OF “JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN.”
“These ‘Studies’ are truthful and vivid pictures of life, often earnest, always full of right feeling, and occasionally lightened by touches of quiet, genial humour. The volume is remarkable for thought, sound sense, shrewd observation, and kind and sympathetic feeling for all things good and beautiful.”—Morning Post.
“These ‘Studies from Life’ are remarkable for graphic power and observation. The book will not diminish the reputation of the accomplished author.”—Saturday Review.
XXIII.—GRANDMOTHER’S MONEY.
BY F. W. ROBINSON.
“We commend ‘Grandmother’s Money’ to readers in search of a good novel. The characters are true to human nature, and the story is interesting.”—Athenæum.
XXIV.—A BOOK ABOUT DOCTORS.
BY JOHN CORDY JEAFFRESON.
“A book to be read and re-read; fit for the study as well as the drawing-room table and the circulating library.”—Lancet.
“This is a pleasant book for the fireside season, and for the seaside season. Mr. Jeaffreson has, out of hundreds of volumes, collected thousands of good things, adding thereto much that appears in print for the first time, and which, of course, gives increased value to this very readable book.”—Athenæum.
XXV.—NO CHURCH.
BY F. W. ROBINSON.
“We advise all who have the opportunity to read this book. It is well worth the study.”—Athenæum.
“A work of great originality, merit, and power.”—Standard.
XXVI.—MISTRESS AND MAID.
BY THE AUTHOR OF “JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN.”
“A good wholesome book, gracefully written, and as pleasant to read as it is instructive.”—Athenæum.
“A charming tale, charmingly told.”—Standard.
“All lovers of a good novel will hail with delight another of Mrs. Craik’s charming stories.”—John Bull.
XXVII.—LOST AND SAVED.
BY THE HON. MRS. NORTON.
“‘Lost and Saved’ will be read with eager interest by those who love a touching story. It is a vigorous novel.”—Times.
“This story is animated, full of exciting situations and stirring incidents. The characters are delineated with great power. Above and beyond these elements of a good novel, there is that indefinable charm with which true genius invests all it touches.”—Daily News.
XXVIII.—LES MISERABLES.
BY VICTOR HUGO.
Authorised Copyright English Translation.
“The merits of ‘Les Miserables’ do not merely consist in the conception of it as a whole; it abounds with details of unequalled beauty. M. Victor Hugo has stamped upon every page the hall-mark of genius.”—Quarterly Review.
XXIX.—BARBARA’S HISTORY.
BY AMELIA B. EDWARDS.
“It is not often that we light upon a novel of so much merit and interest as ‘Barbara’s History.’ It is a work conspicuous for taste and literary culture. It is a very graceful and charming book, with a well-managed story, clearly-cut characters, and sentiments expressed with an exquisite elocution. The dialogues especially sparkle with repartee. It is a book which the world will like. This is high praise of a work of art and so we intend it.”—The Times.
XXX.—LIFE OF THE REV. EDWARD IRVING.
BY MRS. OLIPHANT.
“A good book on a most interesting theme.”—Times.
“A truly interesting and most affecting memoir. ‘Irving’s Life’ ought to have a niche in every gallery of religious biography. There are few lives that will be fuller of instruction, interest, and consolation.”—Saturday Review.
XXXI.—ST. OLAVE’S.
BY THE AUTHOR OF “JANITA’S CROSS.”
“This novel is the work of one who possesses a great talent for writing, as well as experience and knowledge of the world. The whole book is worth reading.”—Athenæum.
“‘St Olave’s’ belongs to a lofty order of fiction. It is a good novel, but it is something more. It is written with unflagging ability, and it is as even as it is clever. The author has determined to do nothing short of the best, and has succeeded.”—Morning Post.