Longian's. Colonial Library, Kelly & Walsh, Ld.
'Ta1s is a capita} story for a wet afternoon or a'deck chiaix. As the title shows itis a story of Russian life, a theme the writer has in previous books shown he can' handle "with success. We' are introduced to court igue, police tyranny, and of course the inevitable nihilist. The book opens with an exciting incident said to have taken'placo during the Crimean war, in which an officer, by saving the life of the then Grand Dux Alexander, becomes" favourite of the future Czar, In the next chapter we read how the Okhotsk Regiment was driven buck by the English on the heights of Inkermann, in..spite of. the efforts of the hero.of the story, Captain Philipof, who is severely wounded and reported dead,..'The officer who saved. the, life, of the Grand Duke, and. who, is called Jostoief, is friend of,; Philipof, and., after,, the. -reported death' of, the. latter. marries, the girl to whom: the unfortunate. officer was engaged. Epgrossed, in the attractions of the, court, the-husband neglects his brides toitho, greatsindignation of Philipof, who finds himself deprived of his sweetheart and also degraded. by belonging to a disgraced Regiment. 'Then, we, have n.attempt on the lifo, of the Czar, frustrated by Philipot who,, however, is accused of the crime and thrown into' prison,, his discontent -witht the treatment of hig Regiment lending colour to theaccusition brought against him, The stoty'of his escape and the way in which ho becomes involved with a Seéret Society, tind his final rehabilitation and restoration to favour is full of interest, - 'There. is not a dull page in the book; though an iindercurrent of despair and sadnogs.runs through it, 'The characters of tite hero and his fiancee ato.cleytly,.drawn,, and, the, loca} cglouring, shows,' personal acqiiaiytance with the sopness. described... Wo can: heartily ro; commend, the book 6g ight, and, pleas Te,; teaches no, story. an io pretensions to be more than it is—a story well told.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.