The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-27 00:00:00

The final decision of Isabella is an exception to the
' other misfortunes, and all must rejoice in her firm-
ness after her infatuation. Frank Tyrrellis the
most interesting and the only superior character
intro(luced to our notice. The hero is a most un-
principled and mean-spirited individual, whose ad-
vantages of nature and fortune he wilfully squan-
ders ; not that he was possessed of riches, but he
enjoyed a high position in society, and he had in-
fluential friends. In vain, however, did. every
one exert themselves for him, from the vola-
tile Lady Ramsay to the steady and prudent
Frank Tyrrell. He was unstable and rest-
less ; they worked to no purpose in his behalf.
Chloe is a fascinating creature, very well described,
and her grace and dexterity would be the chief
ornament of the story were it not that her tragic
end casts a shade on the picture. It partakes too
much of the theatrical to be suitable to every-day
existence, although it is certainly more natural
from her being of Greek birth and very impetuous
and wild throughout all her career. On the whole,
notwithstanding an easy, flowing style of composi-
tion, a variety of personages well described, and
great skill in the arrangement of the plot, "Charles
Stanly" is not an agreeable novel. There are too
many Jarring elements and unsuitable positions, as,
for instance, Lady Ramsay's interference with
Charles, and Lord Overton's attachment to Chloe ;
but, from the ability it displays, it will doubtless be
read with attention, especially by those who are
fond of the romantic.

The Evil Star. By E. Colburn, Esq. 3 vols.

Skeet.

Whatever defects are apparent in this work, it
at least possesses the merit of originality. It is not
necessary for the author to inform us that it is a
first work, for the enthusiasm and singularity of a
first endeavour are easily discovered. The writer
displays no deficiency of talent or want of observa-
tion. The chief objection which his book must
meet with is the peculiarity of his opinions. While
fully agreeing with him in his condemnation of
worldly and selfish dispositions, and the want of
generous and kindly feelings, or lamenting the im-
proper training which young and ardent spirits so
often meet with from too severe or too indulgent
instructors, we must condemn some of his doctrines
as untenable and reprehensible. The chief charac-
ter in the story, Walter Vernon, is an example of
the effects of " the Evil Star." The author asserts
that to some every circumstance of their life seems
against them ; that their minds are ill-directed,
that their outward position is unfavourable,
and that they seem under the influence of an
unpropitious planet. He believes these cha-
racters to be divided into two parts—those
who have sufficient moral strength to overcome the
antagonistic power, and those who, not having this
natural force of will and determination, must sink
beneath it. This is one of the objectionable opinions.
How a writer who professes to see such beauty and
consolation in the Christian faith can believe such
a gloomy and fatalist doctrine is somewhat sur-
prising. There are comparatively few who, by
natural force of character, can meet and subdue an
incessant array of opposing influences. There are
some whose names adorn the pages of history who
have risen from obscurity, and won themselves the
admiration of thousands for their talents, or the
blessings of human nature for their goodness. We
read of some of these, that they have met with
apparently hopeless neglect, with apparently insur-
mountable difficulties ; yet they have endured all,
attacked all, conquered all, and shall we say they
were born under an evil star ? Do we not rather
see that the trials and the obstacles were so
many incentives to their energy, so many ad-
ditions to their virtues. Or, if the victim of op-
posing circumstances has neither the desire nor the
ability to excel, does it follow because he meets
with misfortunes, or is surrounded by characters
unsuited to his own, that he must necessarily be-
come hardened in heart, selfish and calculating in
disposition, and lowered in principles ? This would
be indeed a melancholy reflection, for there are many
such as Walter Vernon, who was one of those weak
characters easily influenced. We do not find that
he met with such alarming vicissitudes, or such
unheard-of catastrophes ; on the contrary, he met
many upright and amiable persons, who became
his sompamons and advisers • yet, in obedience to
the influence of his star, which he could not over-
come, he becomes cold and hard-hearted, neglects
his indulgent mother, breaks the heart of his
Cousin—his first love—changes all his old opinions,
marries an earl's daughter, who is devotedly at-
tached to him, becomes moody, and, withdrawing
himself from society, he finally closes his glorious
career by going mad, poisoning his wife, and drown-
ing himself. Another singular opinion entertained
by the author is, that the disapprobation of parents
should not interfere with the marriage of their
children. Doubtless there are exceptional cases, but
the propriety of the general application of the rule
may be questioned. The characters are numerous
and diversified, and the two sisters, Agnes and
Laura, show forcibly the different and pernicious
effects of a bad education on two naturally good
dispositions. Ethel is the most pleasing of the
heroines, and Lady Henrietta Sydenham, whose
desires for an uncommon destiny were somewhat
unpleasantly fulfilled, is the most striking. There
is no want of interest or paucity of events, and
however the reader may differ from the peculiar
ideas of the writer, he will find the story enter-
taining and original.
Florence, the Beautiful. By Alexander Baillie