THE CURATE’S WIFE.

A Novel by J. E. Panton, author of “Sketches in Black and White,” “Less than Kin,” &c.

“The author of ‘Less than Kin’ has produced in ‘The Curate’s Wife’ a story as powerful and full of genuine human interest as has appeared for some long time past. This tale of ‘country life’ is realistic in the best sense of the word. Faithful as a photograph in all its minor details, it shows clear insight into the character of both the sexes, and under very varied conditions. The gradual transformation of the heroine from a young girl, full of high purposes and enthusiasm, into the hopeless drudge who in despair lays herself down to die, is painted with an almost Zola-like fidelity. Her tyrant, the popular curate, is also a powerful sketch. It is difficult not to think that an expiation worked out in the scene of his misdeeds, with people who pity while they blame him, is insufficient punishment for so contemptible a cur. It would have been, doubtless, more satisfactory had Meta conquered in the unequal contest between her well-meaning inexperience and her husband’s brutal self-love, but in real life the chances would be against her, and this clever novel is, above all, an exact picture of certain phases of human nature as it is, and in this lies its chief merit.”—Morning Post.

In crown 8vo., 2 vols., cloth, price 6s.