This is a graphic narrative of factory life in the Black country. The hero, Cob, and his three uncles, engineers, machinists, and inventors, go down to Arrowfield to set up "a works." They find, however, that the workmen, through prejudice and ignorance, are determined to have no new-fangled machinery. But Cob and his uncles are of the genuine kind that never know defeat, and war is declared. The workmen attack and the masters defend the works by night and by day, in spite of which the machinery is destroyed, the workshops almost blown up, and endless attempts made to do injury. After a series of narrow escapes and stirring encounters, in which both sides get worsted in turn, the workmen by degrees find that no malice is borne against them, and at last admiration takes the place of hatred. A great business is built up, and its foundation is laid on the good-will of the men. MENHARDOC: A Story of Cornish Nets and Mines. By G. MANVILLE FENN. With 8 full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, R.I., in black and tint. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5_s._ The scene of this story of boyish aspiration and adventure is laid among the granite piles and tors of Cornwall. Here amongst the hardy, honest fishermen and miners the two sons of Mr. Temple meet with Will Marion, the nephew of a retired purser of the Royal Navy and owner of several fishing-boats. The London boys are inducted into the secrets of fishing in the great bay, they learn how to catch mackerel, pollack, and conger with the line, and are present at the hauling of the nets, although not without incurring many serious risks. There is a good deal of quaint character throughout, and the sketches of Cornish life and local colouring are based upon experience in the bay, whose fishing village is called here Menhardoc. This is a thoroughly English story of phases of life but little touched upon in boys' literature up to the present time. "They are real living boys, with the virtues and faults which generally characterize the transition stage between boyhood and manhood. The Cornish fishermen are drawn from life, they are racy of the soil, salt with the sea-water, and they stand out from the pages in their jerseys and sea-boots all sprinkled with silvery pilchard scales.... Those who buy it as a Christmas gift for their juvenile relatives will find it a pleasant companion for their own idle hours when the boys have done with it."--_Spectator._ "Mr. Fenn has written many books in his time; he has not often written one which for genuine merit as a story for young people will exceed this."--_Scotsman._ "A description of Will Marion's descent into a flooded mine is excellent. Josh is a delightfully amusing character. We may cordially praise the illustrations."--_Saturday Review._ BY ASCOTT R. HOPE. STORIES OF OLD RENOWN.