The two children of an eccentric diplomat marry, with mixed results.
Here is another of the brilliant early novels of W.E. Norris—for whom see Novels 002, 054, 104, and 156.
“It is a pleasant story, cheerfully and cleverly told, and containing some really fresh and spirited studies of character and manners.” Athenaeum, December 25, 1880
“A fine book to be read and enjoyed, as it was probably written, slowly and with intention. . . . The author had already attracted attention . . . by his remarkable gift of presenting quite naturally, and without exaggeration, eccentric and unusual types. But after all it is, we suspect, not so much happy instinct as deliberate continence which preserves Mr. Norris from the ensnaring example of Dickens and the deplorable influence of the American humorists. . . . In his method, in his flashes of airy wisdom or grave playfulness relieving a style of old-fashioned dignity and fullness, he recalls” Henry Fielding. Academy, January 22, 1881
“Readers of ‘Matrimony’ will find in it a novel of merit and interest much greater than average. . . . It cannot be said that there is much plot in the story, but there is excellent delineation of character, an easy, flowing narrative and an abundance of kindly humor, which go far to make it a novel to be placed high on the roll in this branch of literature.” New York Tribune, June 7, 1881
A contrasting view:
“A pleasant novel (one part excepted . . .) of the ‘agreeable rattle’ kind. . . . Serious criticism would be out of place in reviewing this tale.” Spectator, February 5, 1881
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