The Sun.
London, England, 1825-08-27 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICE.

MODERATION; a TALE; by Mrs. HOFLAND, Author
of Infidelity, a Tale; Patience, a Tale; Decision, a Tale;
The Son of Genius; Tales of the Priory; Tales of the
Manot.
We feel much pleasure in noticing a new work
from► this agreeable and fertile writer, to whom
parents and the rising generation are indebted for
many excellent works of amusement and instruc-
tion. The present work, through the medium
of a simple, natural, and interesting story, conveys
precepts of pure morality and genuine devotion.
The principal persons are three sisters, Harriet,
Emma, and Sophia, all of different characters.—
Harriet, the eldest, is gay and giddy, and having
been introduced into fashionable life at an early
period,be comes too much habituated to its follies.
Sophia, the youngest, on the contrary, though
the daughter of an amiable, wise, and ortho-
dox clergyman,is inclined to fanaticism, and to be
" righteous overmuch." Emma, the second sister
who is the ,heroine of the piece, holds forth a
pleasing and most interesting portrait of feminine
virtues and graces. Mild and forbearing towards
others, but vigilant, in watching her own dispo-
sition and almost rigid towards herself. Active,
but unassuming, with great energy she consoles
and cheers others, and preserves her equanimity
amidst severe domestic trials, supported by her
habitual resig►►ation to the divine will, but with.
without the least ostentation 'in her piety. By
affection and generosity she wins the regard
and gratitude of all around her, and, is finally
made as happy as our temporary and uncertain
state will admit. Her unobtrusive, unpretending,
piety, her mild indulgence towards the mental
delusions of her younger sister, who is so
much inclined to methodistical extravagance,
and her generosity towards the eldest, who
had been bewildered in the vortex of fa-
shionable dissipation, present her own cha-
racter in the most engaging point of view. We
are almost disposed to conceive that Mrs. HOF-
LAND intended to present Emma as an example
to her sex, and that the story was-principally de-
vised for that purpose. It was, however, neces-
sary to involve the heroine in severe trials, in
order to draw her virtues into action, and display
her MODERATION, while she possesses the greatest
degree of sensibility, yet still keeps within the
limits of sound discretion. There are many other
characters of a similar clescription, but with dif-
ferent shades. We regret that the fair Author
should find it necessary to kill those amiable cha-
racters which have excited a high interest, as
A nntsom did by Sir Roger de Coverley ; but as
such events draw forth the virtues of, her heroine,
we must submit to the loss for the sake of the
example. One draw-back upon the interest of
the work is the introductiln of too many
characters who have very little connexion
with the main events, and who therefore embarrass
the memory, and consequently impede the inte-
' rest of the story. We do not think that Mrs.
HOFLAND has been happy in the choice of the
names of some of her persons, and wish that- they
had been more common and fantii:dr. The sen-
timents throughout are liberal and dignified, and
the reflections just and .striking. The language
• is easy, pure, and often elegant, and the work
altogether is highly creditable to the feelings,
principles, and talents of the fair author. There
is a weil-engraved frontispiece by ENGLEHEART,
representing an incident towards the close of the
work, from a design by J. M. WRIGHT. We
recommend this Tale to our fair Readers, con-
vinced that the correct and amiable model which
the heroine presents cannot be attentively studied
without insensibly operating upon their charac-
ters, and proportionably contributing to the hap-
piness of their lives.