University of Virginia Library

“`The Forged Will' is one of the most thrilling productions ever issued from the
American press, earnest in its language, rich in incident, and exciting in adventure.
While possessing all the attractions of a highly wrought romance, virtue and vice are
forcibly contrasted, and sound moral principle eloquently enforced. Hypocrisy is successfully
unmasked, and the betrayer and his victim portrayed in a series of highly
wrought pictures, that cannot fail to win the heartfelt sympathy of the reader. This
work must have an immense sale, for, independent of its intrinsic excellence, the
author's previous productions have awakened a lively interest among a large class of
readers, an interest which `The Forged Will' is well calculated to gratify.”

“This is a powerfully written domestic romance, which is destined to have a permanent
reputation. The characters are boldly drawn, the plot striking, the incidents replete
with thrilling interest, and the language and descriptions natural and graphic.
Much of the romance must have been founded on fact—an impression which will be
entertained by all who read the work, so true to nature are its scenes and characters.

“This is a production which certainly exhibits a master mind. Power is the suggestion
and evidence of every page. The scene of the novel is laid in New York, and the
characters are drawn with wonderful life-likeness and felicity. Those who wish to be
both entertained and amused should procure the work.”

“Mr. Bennett may fairly be classed with the popular writers of the day, and in the
present instance he has succeeded in presenting to the public a book of marked and
thrilling interest, which will not fail to exercise a beneficial influence wherever it may
be attentively read. The scene of the tale, is the city of New York; and, whilst it takes
the reader alike to the splendid palatial residence of the wealthy aristocrat and the
abode of poverty, the great end in view, the triumph of virtue over iniquity, is steadily
and most beautifully pursued: the pictures are drawn with great force, and the `Forged
Will' is entitled to a place in the library of every man and woman who has a taste for
light reading, and will not fail of an extensive sale.”

“Few readers are not familiar with `Clara Moreland,' the `Prairie Flower.' and other
thrilling stories of border life, Indian warfare, and prairie life, which have issued from
Bennett's pen; and we are sure none who have read those will omit to read this, his
last, best work. An excellent moral attends the tale throughout, and so well is the
story told that it is almost impossible to realize that it is fiction.”

“This is a profoundly interesting story, and, better still, it is useful—it teaches valuable
lessons. Mr. Bennett is a writer of much ability. During the last three or four
years, he has produced several fine books, but this is the ablest achievement of his
literary life thus far. It is destined to attain an immense circulation. Mr. Peterson
has issued the book in very handsome style.”

“Mr. Bennett is a native author of talent, experience and industry, whose novels are
always exceedingly popular. Nor are we surprised at his success, after reading the present
fiction. The interest of the story begins with the first chapter, and is maintained
unabated to the close, ever-varying but ever-absorbing. The scene of the tale lies
principally in the city of New York. Like all Mr Bennett's novels, the moral is an
instructive one. Vice, indeed, triumphs awhile, but only for awhile; retribution awakes
in due season, and virtue is rewarded. To read tales like these cannot be considered
a waste of time. The disguise of fiction has been, in all ages, a far more effective way
to inculcate lessons of life than dry didactics. We pay what we think the highest
possible compliment to Mr. Bennett when we say, that he makes his novels as useful as
they are fascinating.”