The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-05 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Jahn Halifax, Gentleman. By the Author of
the " Head of the Family," "Olive," 47c. 3
vols. Hurst and Blackett.
In taking a retrospective glance at the many
and various novels that have appeared from time
to time, how few there are which the reader can
desire to reperuse. However amused or edified
at the commencement, further acquaintance is not
wished for. This peculiarity is reserved for those
standard novels, " few and far between," which
at once charm the taste and arrest the attention.
Of such a class is pre-eminently the work before
us. It is not addressed to the volatile who would
wile away an idle hour, to the lover of pleasure
who desires the records of an ephemeral existence,
bright and transitory, brilliantly sketched, and
fancifully illustrated. The world described here is
that of real life, neither confined to humble limits,
nor bounded by high circles, but real, earnest,
actual existence. The hero of the story is, as
is described in the title-page, of good birth, and as
is further declared in the motto—
" And thus he bore, without abuse,
The grand old name of gentleman."
Nevertheless, John Halifax had a hard life, although
he early met with material assistance in the honest
though rough Abel Fletcher. There is something
strange, yet pleasing, in the quaint simplicity of
the early part of th narrative. The sequestered
town, the quiet life that the unfortunate Phineas
led in the midst of noise, was peculiar, and seemed
of itself to set him apart from the great human
family of workers so active and employed beside of
him. The friendship formed between the two
youths so different to observers, yet so alike to
themselves in sympathy and affection, rivalled any
of the ancient bonds of brotherly union and attach-
ment. It was of the greatest benefit to John, in
his arduous career, to have ever ready an attentive
and kind companion. Shut out from the active
pursuits of his station, Phineas had to enact the
passive in the journey of life. In his long and
faithful course, it was often allowed to hint to be
of the utmost service to those around him. " They
also serve who only stand and wait," might be said
of him, for he was always intent on some one of
the circle of his friends to do them service, or, at
least, afford them some solace. John Halifax was
of that bright and shining race who cannot be held
back from taking a high place in the world ; if they
do not always gain riches or rank, they are sure to
reach an eminence in their own sphere. When their
life is over, none feels as if they had not lived, in one
way or another ! they must " affect the mind of
their generation." The early accidents of his exist-
ence are not those likely to attract or captivate,
and he feels that himself. Although truly grateful
to the kind helper in his difficulty, his feelings
revolted at the trade in which he was employed.
His was not a spirit to repine uselessly,
when he saw his duty, and he soon raised himself
above his work. Real talent can never be alto-
gether wasted ; though from circumstance or mis-
management it is not applied to the highest pur-
poses, or allowed to nerfore, Tnioait g, „jfi,
d ULU in.antax. In a short time the poor starving
boy he found in the street was the soul of Abel
Fletcher's establishment; his intelligence and fore-
sight preserved his property when the experienced
and trusted hands failed. The scene of the riots
is very effectively described ; nothing but determi-
nation could have saved the property and even the
life of the master, who, although just, was stern
and inflexible. In such an emergency a daring
and energetic character like John's was sure to be
of service. The starving wretches saw they could
not frighten him, but they felt also that he pitied
them. It was true that he did not trust to the
might of armed associates, or the cunning of stra-
tegems, when in the midnight hour he stood before
the assailants outside the house. It was carrying
out a higher precept than any worldly wisdom
ever fashioned when he gave food to those who
au hour before were ready to take his life. It may
seem incongruous to follow so practical a hero
through the more ideal or shadowy paths of exist-
ence ; but romance does not consist in the position
so much as in the person. Still, it was not in the
actual place of his business that anything pleasing
could be met with. In consequence of the illnes4
of Phineas, the son of his employer, John Halifax,
accompanied him into the country. Bose Cottage,
as their new home was called, was a beautiful place,
and situated in a spot well calculated to please one
coming out from cities. At the time that the
friends arrived the cottage contained other tenants,
Mr. March and his daughter, both of whom had
been connected with the story before, but who were
as strangers to the new comers. At first a few
formal salutations were exchanged, and the inter-
course might never have progressed but for the
sudden illness of Mr. March. John Halifax ren-
dered groat service to the daughter in distress, and
they thus became acquainted in those dark days of
life, that more than years of sunshine can unfold

the character and display the disposition. " Our
dead," as John Halifax termed it, was consigned to
the dust, and the little cottage, so lately gay and
happy, was turned into the house of mourning.
The succeeding scenes are powerfully and touch-
ingly described. The agony endured by the proud
nature is vividly brought before us. Ursula March
is a fine character, not so attractive at first sight as
she gains afterwardsC by her genuine and straight-
forward manner. In the strength that was not all
of earth, the troubled but steadfast aspirant had
put down his rebellious thoughts and banished the
tempter from his side. Yet although the con-
queror in the hardest of battles, that with self, he
was not at rest. He could not command the flesh
to obey as he ruled his spirit. The excitement and
annoyance occasioned an illness that threatened
his life. In the time when the strong aro laid low
the weak are often known to act with foresight, and
energy, unknown to their brave friends in the days
of health. What John Halifax would have shrunk
from, Phineas Fletcher hesitated not to perform.
After many and tedious difficulties and delays, the
opinions and prejudices of the world were put
aside, and Ursula became the wife of John Halifax.
The real interest of the story then begins. Theirs
was not the union of the fairy tale, where they
lived happily ever afterwards, nor the usual cere-
monial that at the conclusion of romances removes
the hero and heroine out of the pale of the reader's
concern from that time forth. The principles that
animated and informed their thoughts and actions,
were those that increase in importance as they
approach the meridian, and brighten in glory as they
are near to the sunset of life. Hence the diary of
John Halifax, in youth, would have been a sketch
and an outline. He is ono that we do not wish to
lose sight of. Perhaps the, most pleasing
.part of the
story is that of the early years of their married
life, the ten years that were the life of Muriel.
The first brief was their first-born child being born
blind. Yet after a time this affliction was not so
heavy, for the little Muriel was like an angel of
peace in the house. She was especially her father's
favourite, and he ever regarded her with a trem-
bling tenderness, as if he felt she was lent—not
given. Death had: no terrors for the child, her
happiest hours were spent in " talking with angels,"
as she called playing on a harp, that was never
touched but by her, that stood in some deserted
room. They were desirous that she, who could
never witness the horrors of mortality, should only
regard death "as a calm sleep, and a joyful waking
in another country, the glories of which eye had
not seen, nor ear heard." The best idea of heaven
to her was where all should behold as well as know,
and this was expressed on her tomb. " Muriel
Joy Halifax,"—'' Whereas I was blind, now I see."
John Halifax never was the same after her loss ; for
some years after he seemed to stand still, as it were,

in his course. The stirring plans, the lofty pur-
poses that had hitherto made him so animated were
not actually dead, but sleeping fora time. " Sleep-
ing, beyond the power of any human voice to
waken them, under the daisies of a child's grave."
The links of the story are dropped for some years,
when they are resumed—the children are children
no longer, and the parents are beyond middle age
—only one is the same, the memory of the living
Muriel in all her human childhood. " Her image
seemed perpetually among us, it crept through the
house at dusk ; in winter firelight it sat smiling in
dim corners ; in spring mornings it moved about
the garden-borders with tiny soft footsteps,
neither seen nor heard. The others grew
up—would be men and women shortly—but the
one child that ' was not' remained to us always a
child." A fresh source of interest is unfolded in the
rising generation, and the new troubles that befall
the Halifax family are shown to us with the graphic
force, and truth-like style, of the preceding passages.
The same sympathy cannot be felt for the children
as for the parents ; but that would not be desirable,
as they are only attendant on their fortunes. The
impetuous Guy is not exactly like his father or
mother, but a blended representation of them both.
Edwin is more calm and composed than auy of his
family, but he seems cast into the shade by tho
side of the more striking qualities of his brother.
The heroine of the second story is very different
to Ursula in her youth, and does not contrast fa-
vourably by her remembrance. It was a hard trial
for that devoted mother to see her house divided
against itself by one whom she did not really care
for, and who was uncongenial to her. The trust
in which John Halifax reposed did not forsake
him, and he and his house were still preserved,
although it never could bo again what it had been
—a spot where brethren dwelt together in unity.
Death had come into the house and taken away
the dearest treasure it contained ; but it had come
in mercy, and left peace behind it ; now division
and discord reigned paramount. " Alas ! darker
and darker had the bitter truth forced itself upon
us that neither joy nor afilictioa would ever And