THE MUDLARK

A minor pseudo-historical incident which scarcely suits the proportions of the novel form it is given here, this tells of a mudlark's escapade when Wheeler, a waif, slipped past the guards into Windsor Castle where Queen Victoria was in mourning retirement, and sat briefly on the throne of the ""Widow of Windsor"". Here, puffed up and drawn out, are the many repercussions of this unpardonable infringement, the stir and scandal which ensued, the popular rumor that a regicide had been attempted, and the culmination of the affair when Disraeli used Wheeler as a symbol of the underprivileged, and began his program of social reform. Amplifying this are authentic accessories of the times, historical and biographical, the protocol which prevailed within the castle from the Throne Room to the servants quarters, and a slight romance- that of maid-in-waiting Emily and an impulsive Lieutennant who defied the Queen to win her hand.... Thin as a novel, unimportant as history, this will nevertheless get more of a play as the Book of the Month Club selection for September.