"Margaret and Her Bridesmaids" is the one chosen to introduce her with, as this, she writes me, has enjoyed the greatest popularity in England. This will be followed by "THE QUEEN OF THE COUNTY", and the others, as fast as compatible.
It is the history of four school-girls.
The London Athenæum, the highest literary authority, says of it: "We may save ourselves the trouble of giving any lengthened review of this book, for we recommend all who are in search of a fascinating novel, to read it for themselves. They will find it well worth their while. There is 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. We imagine that few can read it without deriving some comfort or profit from the quiet good sense and unobtrusive words of counsel with which it abounds".
The story is very interesting. It is the history of four school-fellows. Margaret, the heroine, is, of course, a woman in the highest state of perfection. But Lotty—the little, wilful, wild, fascinating, brave Lotty—is the gem of the book, and, as far as our experience in novel reading goes, is an entirely original character—a creation—and a very charming one. No story that occurs to our memory contains more interest than this for novel readers, particularly those of the tender sex, to whom it will be a dear favorite.
We hope the authoress will give us some more novels, as good as "Margaret and her Bridesmaids".
TWICE LOST.
A NOVEL.
By S.M., Author of "Linnet's Trial".
Read the Opinions of the English Press.
Another first-rate novel by a woman! The plot well conceived and worked out, the
characters individualized and clear-cut, and the story so admirably told that you are
hurried along for two hours and a half with a smile often breaking out at the humor,
a tear ready to start at the pathos, and with unflagging interest, till the heroine's release
from all trouble is announced at the end....* We heartily recommend the
book to all readers. It is more full of character than any book we remember since
Charles Reade's "Christie Johnstone".—Reader.
"Twice Lost" is an entertaining novel; the struggle between the high-spirited, generous,
half-savage heroine, and her specious, handsome, unprincipled, soi-disant
father, is exciting; and the sympathy of the reader is cleverly enlisted for the
heroine, Lucia, from the first moment. The personages have all of them a certain
look of reality, and there is a notion of likeness which insures the reader's interest.
We can recommend "Twice Lost" as a novel worth reading.—Athenæum.
By far the cleverest book on our list is "Twice Lost" *** This is bold and
skilful drawing, and it is a fair sample of the earlier half of the volume. The combined
vigor, ease, and perspicuity of the writing is unusual.—Guardian.
Nothing can be better of its kind than the first portion of "Twice Lost" *** .
The caustic humor and strong common sense which mark the sketches of character
in this book, betray a keenness of observation and aptitude for producing a telling
likeness with a few strokes, which need only a wider cultivation to secure a more
complete success than has been attained in "Twice Lost".—Westminster Review.
It is quite clear that the author has given a good deal of thought to the construction
of the story, with a view to producing strong interest without the use of the
common sensational expedients. To say that "Twice Lost" is very well written,
and very interesting, would not be doing it justice.—Morning Herald.
There can be no doubt of the author's power. She holds her characters and incidents
well in hand, writes firmly, and often very happily, and there are many passages
which indicate power much above mediocrity.—London Review.
Not very often do we meet with a novel so thoroughly good as "Twice Lost". If,
as may be assumed from both subject and style, its author is a woman, she may at
once be classed with the Brontë sisters and George Eliot. She has the firm conception
and distinct touch of the first-class artist. Her characters are real and individual.—Press.
This is a well-written romantic tale, in which we find many pleasing incidents and
some successful portraiture of character. The character of Miss Derwent, the companion
and governess of the heroine, Miss Langley, is very well developed in the
course of the narrative. The moral tone of the book is very good, and so far as religious
matters are touched upon, they are treated with propriety and reverence.—English
Churchman.
The characters are well drawn—the situations are new, the sentiments are unsentimental,
and the incidental remarks those of a clever woman who is reasonable and
tolerant.—Globe.
The plot of this tale is an original one, and well worked out *** We can sincerely
recommend this tale; it is quite out of the general run of books, and is sure to
prove an interesting one.—Observer.
We notice this story because its authoress will one day, we believe, produce a
powerful novel.—Spectator.
The reader is carried along with unflagging and exciting interest, and the book is
full of characters finely sketched, and of passages powerfully written.—Patriot.
That the author of "Twice Lost" can write well, the book itself furnishes sufficient
evidence.—Nation.
This is a striking story. It has a freshness and originality about it which are very
pleasant.—Morning Advertiser.
Without being a sensation novel this is a most exciting and attractive story.—Daily
News.
A most romantic story, the interest being well sustained throughout, and everything
coming right at the end. Any one must be entertained by it.—John Bull.