NEW BOOKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 117, 18 May 1892, Page 2

NEW BOOKS.

A REVIEW OF "FRANK MELTON LUCK."

(From "The New Zealand Graphic") As affording an interesting and accurate glimpse into certain phases of life in this colony, the book before us it one that should be read by the many really well-educated people in England, whose ideas of New Zealand are curiously vague. Many a mother has a con r many a siater a brother to whom 6bs is deeply "attacked, whose early ex-

periences of life in the North Island of New Zealand correspond with those so vividly depicted in "Frank Melton's Luck." To friends ah Home the book will, therefore, prove very interesting. Nor is it less so to people living in New Zealand, who, reading some incident which recalls their own past, feel that the writer has at once established an entente cordialc between himself and them, and peruse the book with satisfaction. i The story—as is usual with tales of the colonies—introduces the hero in England, and describes the friends he makes on the long -voyage put. Theso play an important part in his life, and consist of Mr and Mrs Robinson—this lady being called by Frank • a collection of uncertainties' —her rather loud brunette daughter, Julia, and a very quieb, lady-like companion, Misa Grave. Frank and hie friend, Harry Baker, take ib in turns to fall in love with the two young ladiee, until, on arriving in Auckland, they all separate for a time. Frank goes down to Wanganui, and begins his experience of life on a New Zealand run under the auspices of his Uncle Bowden—a widower—two charming girl cousins, and their brother Charlie. A pretty widow, Mrs Forfcescue, makes a great impression on Frank's susceptible heart. There is an amusing description of a riding lesson, when the fair widow completely deceives everyone respecting her horsewomanship. " The noble animal appeared to feel her exuberance of spirit, and took the four-rail fence like a bird."

"Why, we all thought you couldn't ride," one of the girls exclaims. Very spirited accounts are given of Frank's adventures afc a cattle muster, a wild boar hunt, etc., the too fascinating; cousins taking their share of the fun and danger. Naturally. Frank falls in love with one of them. Alice, but is checked in hia progress towards gaining her affections by a man named "Grosvenor," who has been one of his acquaintances on board ship. Alice becomes engaged to him, driving Frank almost beside himself, lor he vainly tries to convince her that her fiance is a worthless scoundrel. Whether he succeeds eventually, the reader must wait and find out; the climax of the love-story is, however, very dramatic and interesting. Two other little affaires dc cceur run their separate and entwined courses through the tale, but space forbids further description. The book must bo read to be appreciated, and is to be had of all booksellers at the very moderate sum of one shilling.