Or, War in the Works. By G. MANVILLE FENN. With 8 full-page
Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE, in black and tint. Crown 8vo, cloth
elegant, 5_s._
This is a graphic narrative of factory life in the Black country. The
hero, Cob, and his three uncles, engineers, machinists, and
inventors, go down to Arrowfield to set up "a works." They find,
however, that the workmen, through prejudice and ignorance, are
determined to have no new-fangled machinery. But Cob and his uncles
are of the genuine kind that never know defeat, and war is declared.
The workmen attack and the masters defend the works by night and by
day, in spite of which the machinery is destroyed, the workshops
almost blown up, and endless attempts made to do injury. After a
series of narrow escapes and stirring encounters, in which both sides
get worsted in turn, the workmen by degrees find that no malice is
borne against them, and at last admiration takes the place of hatred.
A great business is built up, and its foundation is laid on the
good-will of the men.