University of Virginia Library

“If Bayard Taylor has not placed himself, as we are half inclined to suspect, in
the front rank of novelists, he has produced a very remarkable book—a really
original story, admirably told, crowded with life-like characters, full of delicate
and subtle sympathies, with ideas the most opposite to his own, and lighted up
throughout with that playful humor which suggests always wisdom rather than
mere fun.”

“`John Godfrey's Fortunes,' without being melodramatic or morbid, is one of
the most fascinating novels which we have ever read. Its portraiture of American
social life, though not flattering, is eminently truthful; its delineation of character
is delicate and natural; its English, though sometimes careless, is singularly grateful
and pleasant.”

“Mr. Bayard Taylor's book is delightful and refreshing reading, and a
great rest after the crowded artistic effects and the conventional interests of even
the better kind of English novels.”

“As a picture of rural life, we think this novel of Mr. Taylor's excels any of his
previous productions.”

“A tale of absorbing interest.”

“In Bayard Taylor's happiest vein.”

“By far the best novel of the season.”