“The scene of this interesting tale is laid during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella.  The Vale of Cedars is the retreat of a Jewish family, compelled by persecution to perform their religions rites with the utmost secrecy.  On the singular position of this fated race in the most Catholic land of Europe, the interest of the tale mainly depends; whilst a few glimpses of the horrors of the terrible Inquisition are afforded the reader, and heighten the interest of the narrative.”—­Sharpe’s Magazine.

“Any thing which proceeds from the pen of the authoress of this volume is sure to command attention and appreciation.  There is so much of delicacy and refinement about her style, and each a faithful delineation of nature in all she attempts, that she has taken her place amongst the highest class of modern writers of fiction.  We consider this to be one of Miss Aguilar’s best efforts.”—­Bell’s Weekly Messenger.

“We heartily commend the work to our readers as one exhibiting, not merely talent, but genius, and a degree of earnestness, fidelity to Nature, and artistic grace, rarely found.”—­Herts County Press.

“The ‘Vale of Cedars’ is indeed one of the most touching and interesting stories that have ever issued from the press.  There is a life-like reality about it which is not often observed in works of this nature; while we read it we felt as if we were witnesses of the various scenes it depicts.”—­Bucks Chronicle.

“It is a tale of deep and pure devotion, very touchingly narrated.”—­Atlas.

“The authoress has already received our commendation; her present work is calculated to sustain, her reputation.”—­Illustrated News.

“It is indeed a historical romance of a high class.  Seeing how steady and yet rapid was her improvement—­how rich the promise of her genius—­it is impossible to close this notice of her last and best work, without lamenting that the authoress was so untimely snatched from a world she appeared destined, as certainly she was singularly qualified, to adorn and to improve.”—­Critic.

New York:  D. APPLETON & CO.