MOUNT ROYAL

Opinions of the Press.

‘“Mount Royal” is a very readable book, and the interest is sustained by the dénouement being left in doubt to the very end of the penultimate chapter.’—Times.

‘Miss Braddon’s numerous admirers can hardly fail to have been struck by the remarkable advance shown by her most recent novels, not only in point of style, but in the natural delineation of those phases of modern society which no living writer of fiction treats more agreeably or with more sustained power. The most striking instance of this may, perhaps, be found in “Vixen;” and if the present work is not superior to that charming tale—which would involve excellence of an unexceptionally high order—it will, at least, not suffer from comparison with its predecessor. The plot will be preferred by many, as dealing with the more tragic side of life, and with more serious issues; but, granting that such preference must be a matter of taste, all will admit the touch of a master-hand in development of the action and the carefully artistic treatment which renders each of the dramatis personæ, estimable or otherwise, a living sentient being, with human idiosyncrasies and distinct personality.... The scene, by the bye, in which this episode occurs is unquestionably one of the finest and most dramatic that even Miss Braddon has ever written, and is only to be surpassed in point of intensity by the two still finer interviews between Leonard and his wife, and the remorseful woman and her intended tool, the adventurer De Cazalet.... We may say, without hesitation, that Miss Braddon has never employed her great talents to better purpose than in “Mount Royal.” It is the worthy work of a thorough artist.’—Morning Post.

‘Miss Braddon’s ever-active and ever-fascinating pen has just completed a new work of fiction, entitled “Mount Royal.” If it does not appeal as immediately and powerfully to the feelings as “Lady Audley’s Secret,” or “Lucius Davoren,” or some of the gifted authoress’s more recent novels, such as “Vixen,” it is replete with all the freshness and charm which she has taught the public to expect from her, which makes the book one that will attract by its power as well as charm by its style.’—Daily Telegraph.

‘Miss Braddon has never, in our opinion, written a novel at once more clever and more true than this.’—Morning Advertiser.

‘The interest is unmistakable, and the way in which this is sustained from first to last proves that its author’s command of the art of storytelling has in no wise diminished.’—Observer.

‘“Mount Royal” is entitled to rank high among our modern works of fiction.’—Society.

‘Miss Braddon has maintained in “Mount Royal” the standard of her later period.’—Athenæum.

‘The story is clearly developed and vigorously written.’—Pall Mall Gazette.

‘“Mount Royal” will not only be found a pleasant sea-side companion during the coming season, but a friend in need during many a solitary hour in the country. It is not only one of the best ever written by the author of “Lady Audley’s Secret,” but one of the most original likewise.’—Court Journal.

‘To return for a last word to “Mount Royal,” the more we have of Miss Braddon, and the less of Miss Rhoda Dendron and Weeder, the better, in our opinion, for all novel-readers, old and young.’—Punch.

‘As a novelist, she is almost without a rival in the art of plot-weaving; so delicate are her meshes, and so subtle her discrimination, that the inherent interest of her books carries us along with her. She is the high priest of a school which, since she inaugurated it, has had many more or less feeble imitators.... Painfully and terribly true to life, and rightly understood, “Mount Royal” is capable of making us appreciate truth and purity more heartily than ever.’—Evening News.

‘The great body of novel-readers who have for so many years found recreation and delight in the brilliant works of imagination which have come from the pen of Miss Braddon, will need no inducement to turn to a new story by this accomplished authoress.... As is always the case in Miss Braddon’s stories, the characters are powerfully drawn. They are not merely people of whom we read, but seem to enjoy an actual existence during the time that their movements are being followed with such rapt attention. The lives of these inhabitants of the old Cornish manor-house, known as Mount Royal, are not free from the cares and excitement which the world calls sensational, albeit the stronger element is made subordinate to gentler and more subtle influences. Judged relatively to other works, “Mount Royal” must be awarded a place midway between the early impulsiveness of “Lady Audley” and the charming fancy displayed in “Vixen,” the novel in which Miss Braddon’s maturer style reached its highest excellence.... Readers will find in “Mount Royal,” in its pathetic views of life and love, echoes of their own experience that are sure to command absorbing interest. Miss Braddon’s romantic spirit has been in no way quenched; but in this last novel its brighter rays are tempered by experience and the saddening influence of earth’s sorrows and troubles.’—Daily Chronicle.

‘An interesting and clever story. The excitement and expectation are well sustained throughout; the incidents are original, and the characters are neatly drawn. Miss Braddon has written some delightful pictures of scenery in Cornwall.’—Sunday Times.

‘That Miss Braddon’s hand has not lost its cunning is evidenced by the excellent work which she has given us in “Mount Royal.” The same skill in construction, the same charm of description as marked her earlier efforts, are all here in this present work, matured and mellowed, it may be, by experience, but not one whit dulled or destroyed by lapse of time. We welcome “Mount Royal.” Miss Braddon has given us a story which, while it adds to her fame as an authoress, increases our indebtedness to her: the healthy tone of “Mount Royal” is not one of its least charms.’—Pictorial World.

‘For one “who has been long in city pent” the pictures of Cornish scenery, drawn by the free bold hand of the authoress, are delightful; no landscape-painter could produce a more vivid impression.... We anticipate that this powerful tragic story will enhance the high reputation of its authoress.’—Echo.

‘The situations are worked out with so much skill, and the probability of details is so well managed, that the story can be followed with the keenest interest.’—St. James’s Gazette.

‘There is much effective writing in the course of the novel, and we must add that the minor characters are individualised with all the accustomed power of the authoress.’—News of the World.

‘Miss Braddon never disappoints her readers. Whoever takes up “Mount Royal” will be prepared for an interesting story, excellently well told, and that they will get. Her scenes never fall flat, nor does her weapon ever miss fire. The incidents of her stories are always marshalled with very great skill, so as to produce the best effect which is to be got from them. In fewer words, Miss Braddon is, as our readers know without our telling them, a story-teller of consummate ability. To be able to conceive a thrilling plot is one thing; to be able to work it out in a story is another. Miss Braddon has from the beginning shown that she possesses both these gifts. Her fertility in plot-making is nothing short of marvellous; and when we find that her conceptions are always worked out by the aid of characters of flesh and blood, who stand prominently forth from the canvas, and look at you with living eyes, we are lost in wonder at a fancy, a power, so inexhaustible. Scarcely ever is there a trace of any strain, any fatigue. We might say that she appears to be telling a story for the first time, did not the ease and skill displayed in the process betray to the close observer a vast amount of practice added to natural talents of a high order. Her descriptive power and her dramatic instinct are never weakened. She never fails to bring before the reader the objects of persons she is describing. Moreover, she can describe indirectly as well as directly.’—Lloyd’s Weekly London Newspaper.

‘Many of the descriptions of the scenery of Cornwall are well worth reading; while London fashionable circles are hit off in a vein of satire occasionally, but with a considerable resemblance, we should imagine, to what really takes place. The scene where Christabel meets Psyche in her own dwelling is full of womanly tenderness, and suggests to the poor victim the existence of a world of compassion of which she had never dreamed. The marshalling and management also of the characters as a whole reveal, it must be admitted, the possession of high artistic powers, as well as a wide observation of men and things. Major Broe is drawn to the life. Mrs. Tregonell senior, with her mother’s fondness for the roving Leonard, is also as true to nature as can well be imagined.’—Liverpool Mercury.

‘Miss Braddon, if not the most industrious of modern novelists, is certainly unrivalled in this respect among those whose works are in great demand at the circulating libraries. Let the reader once become really interested in the fortunes of the lovely, but unhappy, Mrs. Tregonell, and he will not willingly put down the book until the end of the third volume.’—Manchester Examiner and Times.

‘We have followed the plot out with considerable interest, and no fault is to be found in the novel in the way of dulness.’—John Bull.

‘The scene in which her new novel is chiefly laid is to the full as enchanting as it is painted by her skilful hand. That there is plenty to interest and something to excite in any book from the pen of Miss Braddon may be taken for granted. The ingenuity of the plot is worthy of the author.’—London Figaro.

‘A most attractive and interesting novel. The genius of Miss Braddon evolves a number of most ingenious plots, and the reader’s interest is kept engaged through the development of them with absorbing power. Miss Braddon deals with persons and places that are familiar to us, and her descriptions of the scenery of the north coast, of Tintagel, Boscastle, and all the neighboring shores, are photographed with great clearness in beautiful language and with perfect knowledge. Miss Braddon’s works are always interesting, and these volumes will add to her well-established reputation. There are many phases of life described in them which we know exist; but there are few who have the power of placing either the people or their surroundings so completely before us. She hits off admirably the follies and fashions of the hour as they prevail in fashionable life. So great was the demand for Miss Braddon’s new novel, “Mount Royal,” the other day, that the circulating libraries subscribed for the whole of the first edition, and the publisher had to go to press immediately with a new impression.’—Plymouth Western Daily Mercury.

‘In “Mount Royal” Miss Braddon appears to us not only to have surpassed her own previous performances, numerous and successful as they have been, but even to have distanced all her competitors in that class of literature. We know of no recent novel which we would place before “Mount Royal” in its power of exciting the emotions.’—Sheffield Post.

‘“Mount Royal” is an addition to the Braddon library that will be heartily welcomed by all who can appreciate a sound, healthy, and thoroughly interesting novel.’—Belfast News Letter.

‘Taking the novel altogether, “Mount Royal” will compare favourably with any that have preceded it from the same pen. In point of character delineation and skilfulness of construction, its merits are very considerable.’—Bradford Observer.

‘“Mount Royal” is well written, as all Miss Braddon’s books are. It is bright, and catches with great accuracy the precise tone of the people whose lives are being sketched. A good novel.’—Scotsman.

‘“Mount Royal” is powerful and artistic—a finished bit of workmanship.’—Edinburgh Daily Review.

‘We may fairly say of it that it contains many sparkling passages and many happy thoughts. It shows that the writer has an extensive acquaintance with the best English authors, and it shows that she is an adept in word-painting.’—Sheffield Daily Telegraph.

‘Miss Braddon’s last production is as engrossing, as dramatic, and as fresh as if it were only her second or third. There is not a dull page in the three volumes.’—Brighton Fashionable Visitors’ List.

‘“Mount Royal” is an exceptionally favorable specimen. The story is told with singular neatness, and grace almost equally unusual in works of this kind. The novel is, without doubt, a good and a bright one, with plenty of incidents and plenty of character.’—Manchester Courier.

‘The story, as a whole, is extremely interesting. It is emphatically a novel of the present day, and we predict for it an extensive demand.’—York Herald.