A story of faithful love laid (at least its opening and closing scenes) in Wexford (“Dunmoyle”). Period about 1798. Michael and Phil both love Kate Callan. Kate loves P. best, and M. goes away. Returning after three years, he finds Kate mourning P., said to be lost at sea. M. and Kate are married, but on the evening of the marriage M. meets P. M. “disappears,” but in foreign parts meets P.’s French wife. The two couples are united again. Kate is shot in the rebellion, but survives to discover that M. was the best man after all. Dialect natural but refined. =“FRANCIS, M. E.”; Mrs. Blundell.= Born at Killiney Park, near Dublin. Is the daughter of Mr. Sweetman, of Lamberton Park, Queen’s County; and was educated there and in Belgium. In 1879 she married the late Francis Blundell, of Liverpool. This home of her married life is the background of many of her stories—(_Ir. Lit._). Among her books are: _Whither_ (1892), _In a North Country Village_, _A Daughter of the Soil_, _Among Untrodden Ways_, _Maimie o’ the Corner_, _Pastorals of Dorset_, _The Manor Farm_, _The Tender Passion_ (1910), and several others, besides those noticed in this book—about thirty in all. All Mrs. Blundell’s writings are noted for their delicacy of sentiment, deftness of touch, pleasantness of atmosphere. They are saved from excessive idealism by close observation of character and manners. Her Irish stories show sympathy and even admiration for the peasantry. ⸺ THE STORY OF DAN, (LONDON: _Osgood, M’Ilvaine_). (BOSTON: _Houghton_). 0.50. 1894. “A brief tale, told with directness and tragic simplicity of a magnanimous peasant, who adores with infatuation a worthless girl, and sacrifices himself uselessly and blindly. Friendly portraits of Irish country people are among the minor characters.”—(_Baker_). ⸺ FRIEZE AND FUSTIAN. (_Osgood_). 3_s._ 6_d._ 1896. The book is in two parts—the first a reflection or picture of the mind and soul of the Irish peasant, the second of that of the English peasant. The comparison or contrast is not elaborated nor insisted upon. The pictures are there, the reader judges. A series of short stories or studies form the traits of the pictures, bringing out such points as the kindness of the poor to one another, a mother’s love, a mother’s pride in her son become priest, a servant’s fidelity, and various stories of love. All told with delicate feeling and insight. The Author has lived among both peoples. There is a good deal of dialect. ⸺ MISS ERIN. Pp. 357. (_Methuen_). 6_s._ [1898]. Included in Benziger’s (N.Y.) series of Standard Catholic Novels at 2_s._; also $1.00.