THE RHYMER. By Allan M'Aulay. London: T. Fisher Unwin.

Otago Witness, Issue 2410, 10 May 1900, Page 64

THE RHYMER. By Alla n M'Aulay. London : T. Fisher Unwin.

" The Rhymer " being none other than, the poet Burns, and the fact that this presentment of an episode in his life h^s been running as a serial through the pages of the Scotsman, should prove an "open sesame " to favour, in our community at any rate. The book, moreover, is written in an ea.sjr and attractive style, and is not overweighted with Scotch dialect— is quite removed from Avhat has been called the " Kailyard 1 ' novel.

The charming and womanly heroine of the book, Alison Graham, is a dslightfal creation, and the reader instantly rebels again?! the idea of her girlis-h swestne^s being sought, bargained for, and bought by the boori«ii Air Cheape, of Kincarley : who, though Alison is 20 year? old, is her first suitor. The Grahams are poor, and like to be poorer, for with a family of seven hearty girls tliere is but one son, and he the baby ! Mr Cheupe's cause, therefore, is warmly championed by 'Alison's parents, and with the rigid discipline of that time, she is promptly and severely punished for her rebellous disinclination to accept hin> by being locked up in her own room and kept on bread and water diet ! At this juncture appears that vivacious little lady, Mistress Nancy Maclehose, whose own matrimonial experiences having been singularly unfortunate, sympathises acutely with Alison, and takes her away on a long visit to Edinburgh. Here Alison makes the acquaintance oi a young lawyer and cousin of Mrs Maclehose, Archibald Herries by name. Here, too, does Robert* Burns enter upon the scene, and the ilrst pteps arc taken towards that platonic and romantic attachment for '' Nanny which inspired some of the poet's sweetest songs. The dual thread of Alison's troubled attachment and betrothal to Archi&pld Eerries and the fanciful correspondence and tender passages between Burns and pretty, romantic Mistress Nancy is so closely inwoven that their interest is equal. " Ciorinda"' and '"Sylvander."' as Burns and Nancy call themselves, contrive to come very near to tragedy instead of light comedy, and it is at the expense of Alison's happiness that she (Alison) saves Nancy's good name. All, however, comes right in the end, for Burns, nearing his sad and untimely death, sends for Herries, and confesses his own share in the misapprehension which had parted the lovers. The story is evenly interesting throughout, well told, and with seme happy touches of character- drawing, and we can very honestly commend its perusal.