The unknown--for there was no attempt to guess him--was pronounced not to be an imitator of Mr. Lever, though there were certain small points of resemblance; for he was clearly original in his conception of character, in his conduct of his story, and in his dialogues, and there were traits of knowledge of life in scenes and under conditions to which Mr. Lever could lay no claim. One critic, who had found out more features of resemblance between the two writers than his colleagues, uttered a friendly caution to Mr. Lever to look to his laurels, for there was a rival in the field possessing many of the characteristics by which he first won public favor, but a racy drollery in description and a quaintness in his humor all his own. It was the amusement of one of my children at the time to collect these sage comments and torment me with their judgments, and I remember a droll little note-book, in which they were pasted, and read aloud from time to time with no small amusement and laughter. One or two of these I have even now before me:-- "Our new novelist has great stuff in him."--_Bath Gazette_. "'Con Cregan'--author unknown--begins promisingly; his first number is a decided hit."--_Cambridge Chronicle_. "The writer of 'Con Cregan' is a new hand, but we predict he will be a success"."--_Cambridge Advertiser_. "A new tale, in a style with which Lever and his followers have made us acquainted."--_Hampshire Advertiser_. "This tale is from the pen of an able Irish writer. The dialogue is very smartly written, so much so--and we cannot pay the writer a more genuine compliment--that it bespeaks the author to be an Irishman, &c."--_Somerset Gazette_. "'Con Cregan '--by an unnamed author--is a new candidate for popularity," &c.--_Northern Whig_, Belfast. "The writer must be an Irishman."--_Nottingham Gazette_. "A new bark, launched by an unknown builder."--_Cheltenham Chronicle_. "That the author's name is not disclosed will not affect the popularity of this work,--one of the most attractive," &c.--_Oxford Journal_. "This is a new tale by the pen of some able Irish writer, the first part of which is only published."--_Ten Town Messenger_. "Another new candidate for popular fame, and 'Harry Lorrequer' had better look to his laurels. There is a poacher in the manor in the person of the writer of 'Con Cregan.'"--_Yorkshireman_. "'Con Cregan' promises to become as great a fact as 'Harry Lorrequer.' "--_People's Journal_. "The author of 'Con Cregan,' whoever he be, is no ordinary man." "Another daring author has entered the lists, and with every promise of success."--_Exeter Post_.