SOME PRESS OPINIONS of Joseph Hocking's Novels

(UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME).

THE COMING OF THE KING.

Illustrated by Grenville Manton.

The first stages of Nonconformity supply the theme of Mr. Hocking's latest book, "The Coming of the King" is an impressive story which possesses a real value as a faithful study of one of the most important epochs in religious history.

ESAU.

Illustrated by Bertha Newcombe.

"Remarkable for the dramatic power with which the scenes are drawn and the intense human interest which Mr. Hocking has woven about his characters. 'Esau' is sure to be one of the novels of the season."—The Outlook.

"A brilliant, exciting narrative by a writer who has never penned a dull page."—The British Weekly.

"The story is excellent, with no lack of dramatic situations; and the characters, whether of Cornish folk or Spaniards, are drawn with considerable skill."—The Birmingham Post.

GREATER LOVE.

Illustrated by Gordon Browne.

"An excellent story, in which the reader will soon find himself enthralled, the author skilfully compelling his close attention. This must take rank as one of the best and most interesting of the author's books."—The Birmingham Post.

"Though of a totally different character from 'Lest We Forget,' Mr. Hocking's latest story is entitled to take rank along with that fine romance. The story arrests the attention from the first chapters, and soon becomes highly dramatic."—The Newcastle Chronicle.

LEST WE FORGET.

Illustrated by J. Barnard Davis.

"His story is quite as good as any we have read of the Stanley Weyman's school, and presents an excellent picture of the exciting times of Gardiner and Bonner."—Public Opinion.

"A striking, highly dramatic story. Mr. Hocking has written a very fine historical novel, full of the fire and dash of youth and love."—Sunday Special.

THE PURPLE ROBE.

Illustrated by J. Barnard Davis.

"Mr. Hocking's most interesting romance. It is exceedingly clever, and excites the reader's interest and brings out the powerful nature of the clever young minister. This most engrossing book challenges comparison with the brilliance of Lothair. Mr. Hocking has one main fact always before him in writing his books—to interest his readers; and he certainly succeeds admirably in doing so."—The Queen.

THE SCARLET WOMAN.

With Eight Full-page Illustrations by Sydney Cowell.

"We know of no novel by Mr Hocking that we have liked so much, and we have liked many. Powerful and human from beginning to end, and throbbing with the moral healthiness of a work by a writer who, while he interests more than many who merely interest, has the higher purpose of inculcating truths that lead to healthiness of life and human endeavour."—Weekly Dispatch.

"The story goes with a swing. The struggle between nature and religious training is skilfully described, and the plot is carried from one vivid incident to another."—Christian World.

"This is Mr. Hocking's strongest and best book. We advise every one to read it. The plot is simple, compact and strenuous; the writing powerful. It brings out sharply the real character of the typical Jesuit, his training, motives, limitations, aims."—Methodist Recorder.

ALL MEN ARE LIARS.

With Frontispiece and Vignette by Gordon Browne.

It is no exaggeration to say that the publication of this unique book created a sensation. It was so strenuously in earnest, so pitiless in its exposure of the effects of pessimism, and so realistic in its picture of the dark side of London life, that thousands who had not read any previous work of Mr. Hocking's read it and discussed it in the press, in the class-room and in private. The striking title, the sombre strength of the writing, but above all the correctness and purity of the purpose, combined to render "All Men are Liars" one of the most remarkable works of the day.

"This is a notable book. Thoughtful people will be fascinated by its actuality, its fearlessness, and the insight it gives into the influence of modern thought and literature upon the minds and morals of our most promising manhood."—Christian World.

"A striking book.... It is strong and earnest and vigorous; it shows knowledge of the lower class, and impatience and contempt of shams of all sorts."—Standard.

"We are in the midst of real life, with a record at all times eloquent and not infrequently brilliant."—Literary World.

ISHMAEL PENGELLY: an Outcast.

With Frontispiece and Vignette by W. S. Stacey.

From the point of view of lurid power and breathless interest one of the very strongest of all Mr. Hocking's books. The wild Cornish background, the strength of the character-drawing, the atmosphere of tragedy, combine to make it a work of singular originality.

"As a story this book is a splendid piece of writing, every detail is interesting, and the situations it creates are novel and striking."—Record.

"A remarkable novel.... The plot of the story is ingenious, the manner of its telling essentially dramatic, the character-drawing excellent and consistent."—Christian World.

"The characters are admirably drawn. An extremely vigorous, healthful and interesting tale."—Academy.

"The book is to be recommended for the dramatic effectiveness of some of the scenes. The wild, half-mad woman is always picturesque wherever she appears, and the rare self-repression of her son is admirably done."—Athenæum.

THE STORY OF ANDREW FAIRFAX.

With Frontispiece and Vignette by George Hutchinson.

"Andrew Fairfax" is undoubtedly the story by which Mr. Hocking came into his own. It placed him at once in the front rank of popular novelists, and by many competent critics it is considered to be by far his best book. It has been compared favourably with the best novels of Mr Thomas Hardy, but the class of realism to which many readers take objection, and that is connected with the name of Mr. Hardy, is never to be found in Mr Hocking's works. A purer, more wholesome, and more manly book than "Andrew Fairfax" it would be hard to write.

"Rustic scenes and characters are drawn with free, broad touches, without Mr. Buchanan's artificiality, and, if we may venture to say it, with more realism than Mr. Hardy's country pictures."—Manchester Examiner.

"Beautifully told. There are few books better adapted to widen the mind and discipline the judgment than this noble story."—Liverpool Mercury.

"Few stories by later-day novelists have interested us so keenly. A brilliant story, rich in sparkling incident and clever character sketches."—Christian Age.

THE BIRTHRIGHT.

With Three Full-page Illustrations by Harold Piffard.

"This volume proves beyond all doubt that Mr. Hocking has mastered the art of the historical romancist. 'The Birthright' is, in its way, quite as well constructed, as well written, and as full of incident as any story that has come from the pen of Mr. Conan Doyle or Mr Stanley Weyman."—Spectator.

"For an historical romance to hold a weary reviewer, to hold him at this time of day, and to interest him to the end, is in itself a complete testimony to the power and excellence of that story. We confess that we read Mr Hocking's book at a sitting; not because we had any leisure for the task, but simply because the book compelled us.... We hold our breath as each chapter draws to an end, yet cannot stop there, for the race is unflagging. We congratulate Mr Hocking upon the book, for it is a very great advance upon anything he has done."—Daily Chronicle.

MISTRESS NANCY MOLESWORTH.

With Six Full-page Illustrations by F. H. Townsend.

"'Mistress Nancy Molesworth' is as charming a story of the kind as could be wished, and it excels in literary workmanship as well as in imaginative vigour and daring invention.... It would hardly be possible to tell a story of its kind better, or to leave the reader better pleased at the end."—Scotsman.

FIELDS OF FAIR RENOWN.

With Frontispiece and Vignette by J. Barnard Davis.

This striking story has all the fine qualities which have made Mr Hocking's novels so popular with his huge circle of readers. In none of his books has he drawn finer pictures of Cornish life, or told a sweeter love-tale. But this particular story has a peculiar interest of its own, telling, as it does, of the literary beginnings of an author who afterwards became one of the most popular novelists of the day. Every one interested in literature—every one who wishes to know something of the wire-pulling which is too often at work m the literary world—should read this remarkable story.

"Mr. Joseph Hocking's 'Fields of Fair Renown' is a novel with a purpose, and the theme is worked out with a good deal of force and effective power ... it is both interesting and powerful."—Scotsman.

"Mr Hocking has produced a work which his readers of all classes will appreciate.... There are exhibited some of the most beautiful aspects of disposition."—Dundee Advertiser.

AND SHALL TRELAWNEY DIE?

With Three Full-page Illustrations by Lancelot Speed.

"We can strongly recommend both stories as healthy and hearty tales, sensational but not incredible."—British Weekly.

"An engaging and fascinating romance. The reader puts the story down with a sigh, and wishes there were more of these breezy Cornish uplands, for Mr. Joseph Hocking's easy style of narrative does not soon tire."—Weekly Sun.

JABEZ EASTERBROOK.

With Frontispiece and Vignette by W. S. Stacey.

"Jabez Easterbrook" is one of the very few "religious novels" which are also strikingly interesting as stories, quite apart from their religious purpose. The life of the Wesleyan Minister has seldom been so painstakingly or so sympathetically pictured.

"Real strength is shown in the sketches, of which that of Brother Bowman is most prominent. In its way it is delightful."—Rock.

"A book that can be read with interest and with profit. A clever tale, cleverly told."—Record.

THE WEAPONS OF MYSTERY.

With Frontispiece

"Weapons of Mystery" is a singularly powerful story of occult influences and of their execution for evil purposes. Like all Mr Hocking's novels, "Weapons of Mystery" has an underlying religious and moral purpose, but merely as a story, and quite apart from the purpose which was in the mind of the author, the tale has a curious fascination for the reader. The cleverly conceived plot, and the strange experience of the hero and heroine make "Weapons of Mystery" a story which it is not easy to put down when once commenced.

ZILLAH: A Romance.

With Frontispiece.

"Zillah" is also a novel with a purpose—in fact—with two purposes. Its first purpose is to tell a thoroughly interesting story in a thoroughly interesting way, and in that it certainly succeeds. Its second purpose is to deal fairly but fearlessly with certain theories about the After Life and the Spirit World which are just now very much agitating the minds of religious thinkers. Every one interested in Clairvoyance, Hypnotism and Spiritualism, should read this strikingly just but fearlessly outspoken novel.

"The drawing of some of the characters indicates the possession by Mr Hocking of a considerable gift of humour. The contents of his book indicate that he takes a genuine interest in the deeper problems of the day."—Spectator.

THE MONK OF MAR-SABA.

With Frontispiece and Vignette by Walter S. Stacey.

A very beautiful and human story, the scene of which is laid in the Holy Land, which Mr. Hocking visited personally before writing the tale.

"Great power and thrilling interest.... The scenery of the Holy Land has rarely been so vividly described as in this charming book of Mr Hocking's."—Star.

"The author has turned his visit to Palestine to good account.... His descriptions of the wild scenery of different parts of the Holy Land are both vigorous and graphic, and the stories themselves are interesting."—Manchester Guardian.

"Powerfully written."—Daily Telegraph.

"Mr. Hocking has undoubtedly the power of telling a stirring incident well, and he gives one the impression of being pervaded by moral earnestness."—Spectator.

London: WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED.