A Story of Cornish Nets and Mines. By G. MANVILLE FENN. With 8
full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, R.I., in black and tint.
Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, 5_s._
The scene of this story of boyish aspiration and adventure is laid
among the granite piles and tors of Cornwall. Here amongst the hardy,
honest fishermen and miners the two sons of Mr. Temple meet with Will
Marion, the nephew of a retired purser of the Royal Navy and owner of
several fishing-boats. The London boys are inducted into the secrets
of fishing in the great bay, they learn how to catch mackerel,
pollack, and conger with the line, and are present at the hauling of
the nets, although not without incurring many serious risks. There is
a good deal of quaint character throughout, and the sketches of
Cornish life and local colouring are based upon experience in the
bay, whose fishing village is called here Menhardoc. This is a
thoroughly English story of phases of life but little touched upon in
boys' literature up to the present time.
"They are real living boys, with the virtues and faults which
generally characterize the transition stage between boyhood and
manhood. The Cornish fishermen are drawn from life, they are racy
of the soil, salt with the sea-water, and they stand out from the
pages in their jerseys and sea-boots all sprinkled with silvery
pilchard scales.... Those who buy it as a Christmas gift for their
juvenile relatives will find it a pleasant companion for their own
idle hours when the boys have done with it."--_Spectator._
"Mr. Fenn has written many books in his time; he has not often
written one which for genuine merit as a story for young people
will exceed this."--_Scotsman._
"A description of Will Marion's descent into a flooded mine is
excellent. Josh is a delightfully amusing character. We may
cordially praise the illustrations."--_Saturday Review._