David Alfred Bywaters's Crossword Cavalcade & Fortnightly Victorian Novel Recommender. Every Saturday! Either a new language-torturing puzzle or an old novel by an unjustly neglected Victorian author. Why waste time on other amusements?

Novel 232: Mary Emma Martin, Bonnie Lesley (1878)

Charles West Cope, Home Dreams
Charles West Cope, Home Dreams

The orphaned daughter of an impecunious clergyman makes her way in the world.

Mary Emma Martin (1845-1931) wrote some 32 novels during the Victorian period, many of them directed to children or young ladies.  This one, her first, though equipped with routine Victorian characters following a routine Victorian plot, is nonetheless intelligent and engaging.

“There is no praise too high for Mrs. Martin’s delightful story.” Academy, June 21, 1878

An “admirable little novelette, . . .  spirited, interesting, refined and humorous.”  Spectator, November 23, 1878

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http://access.bl.uk/item/viewer/ark:/81055/vdc_000000032EDA#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0