The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-12 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The Laird of Norlaw : a Scottish Story. By the
author of " Margaret Maitland," "
&c. 3 vols. Hurst and Blackett.
Among the various writers of fiction of the pre-
sent day, there is none whose novels possess a
greater charm, from their simplicity, freshness, and
purity, than the author of the present volumes.
This story is superior in many points to the last
production, although it does not equal in merit
some of the earlier novels, which attracted so much
attention at the time of their publication. " Adam
Grwme" and " Harry Muir" are unquestionably
the standard achievements of their author, which,
in brilliancy, originality, and elevated tone, it
would be difficult to equal, far less surpass. " The
Laird of Norlaw" presents various characters to our
notice, some of which are excellent in their delinea-
tion. The contrast between the two widowed
mothers, Mary of Melmar and the Mistress, is very
effective in its striking description. By the com-
bination of skill in design, and delicacy in execu-
tion, this record of some passages in the lives of
two families, in a remote village, is invested with a
romantic charm, and imbued with a lively interest.
The varying shades of character, the differing points
of disposition, and the separate traits of temper,
exhibit a delicacy of definition that is rarely en-
countered. The three young Livingstones of the
house of Norlaw are not more distinct natures than
are often met with in the members of the same
family, but there is no exaggeration, no extrava-
gance in detail, such as too often mars the effect
of some eloquent descriptions in novels. It is a very
interesting passage in which Cosmo meets the
object of his weary search, the heroine oflis youth-
ful dreams, the fair lady-, the memory of whose beauty
and grace, had lingered in the minds of all who
had known her. Mary of Melmar had been the
magic name which had inspired Cosmo's father
through life. He had wandered far and wide to
seek her, and convey to her the glad news that her
father had at last reinstated her in her rights. He
had been unsuccessful in his search ; it was re-
served for his youngest son, who inherited his re-
fined tastes, his sensitive nature, and his love for
the chivalric and romantic, to fulfil the unrealised
dream of a life, in the restoration of her whose name
had been the last words he uttered on the bed of
death. Madame Roche, as the long-lost heiress
Was then called, was very different in her widowed
age from the fair maiden who had left her native
village its far-famed ornament ; but the beauty
which glorified her youth spared some choice rem-
nants to grace her age, and the friends who beheld
her after the lapse of a generation had no difficulty
in recognising her. It is only natural and true to
life that the " Mistress" should have looked with
anything but complacency on her rival, as she had
long years ago discovered her to have been, not
only suddenly reappearing on the scene to put
aside the claims of her eldest son—(for after Mary
the Livingstones were to succeed to Melmar)—but,
as it were supplanting her in the affections of her
youngest child, her favourite Cosmo. He was his
mother's pride, and it grieved her to find him
dwelling so constantly on the merits and misfor-
tunes of her enemy. Cosmo loved his mother, but
as he grew older and his feelings changed from
those of the boy, he naturally dwelt on the higher
and nobler sentiments which animated his soul—he
recognised congenial tastes and kindred spirits.
His mother was far below the level of Madame
Roche, however worthy might be her native dis-
position •, she wanted refinement, feeling, and a
thousand nameless qualifications before she could
be fitted to become, as she desired, the confidante
and companion of her gifted son. Desiree, the
youngest daughter of Madame Roche, is a
graceful young girl, full of the esprit and
fascination of her native land, joined with
deeper and truer feelings which take root in the
sterner country that gave her mother birth. The
circumstances of Cosmo's first meeting with her are
very interesting, and their various rencounters are
ingeniously arrayed. He did not discover his lost
treasure when he saw the daughter in Edinburgh,
however ; he had to wait long, and wander far, be-
fore he was made aware that the old lady he had
admired at a distance in her humble sphere, when
he was located in a small town of France, was the
missing heiress of Melmar. The author has truly
sketched the years succeeding this grand discovery
as anything but happy. It is rarely the case in
actual existence, that when one has realised some
dream, or fulfilled some desire, peace and prosperity
reign in the home, and happiness is complete and
unsullied. Vanity and vexation of spirit are far
more likely guests in the abode of those who make
earthly idols, and imagine human perfectability.
Such was pre-eminently the state of things at Mel-
mar andNorlaw, and when Huntley returned from
his distant wanderings on the other side of the
world, he was dismayed and horrified at the changes.
He was too honourable to begrude to the widow
and orphans their rights, though they debarred
him from being the pessessor of a smiling domain ;
but he grieved over the estrangement that reigned
at home. Fortunately for the present peace and
future welfare of all concerned, Huntley possessed
a brave spirit and a generous heart. He would not
be daunted, he would not take offence, and he thus
contrived to be the mediator in disputes, the mana-
ger of difficulties, and the harbinger of happiness.
He had been constant to his early love, Katie
Logan, the minister's daughter, a sweet, gentle
maiden, whose presence seems to shed a light
over the pages in which she appears. There
is something peculiarly attractive and agreeable to
the tastes of the reader in her patience in trial, in
her sweetness of disposition, and her unfailing ex-
ertions to serve her young brothers and sisters. It
was the idea of Madame Roche, who was still
somewhat visionary, to render poetic justice to
Huntley, by arranging a marriage between him
and her daughter Desiree; this project, to which
she obstinately adhered, occasioned universal dis-
may, and it was a common cause of rejoicing when
the young Laird of Norlaw resolutely declined the
proposal, and announced his intention of remaining
constant to his father's name, and true to the love
of his youth. After the death of Marie, the ill-
fated eldest child of Madame Roche, Cosmo and
Desiree were united—fate, which had seemed at
first so propitious to their hopes, had frowned
darkly for some time, and young and inexperienced
as they appeared to strangers, they had both been
inured in some degree to suffering. There are some
characters met with who are worthy of remark.
Cameron, the stern Highlander, who was regarded
as cold and callous by the careless looker-on, but
who was possessed of deep feelings and romantic
sentiment; there is something touching and singu-
larly melancholy in this grave and austere man
being roused from his indifference, to awaken to a
soft and holy influence, only to be sunk anew into
a lonelier and darker isolation. Another person of
a totally distinct nature, who is ably depicted, is
Margaret, the old servant of the Mistress of Norlaw.
She is the very type and image of a faithful depen-
dant. Rude and uncultured as she was, she presents
a picture in her devotion, and attachment in suffer-
ing and sorrow that courts and cities might find it
difficult to equal. Patrick, the second son of the
Livingstones, is inferior to his brothers, but a fair
specimen of an average class among his country-
men. Altogether many may find reason to be
pleased with this work. It has the merit of truth-
fulness, and may lay claim to much interest in its
narrative. Those works must ever be the most
successful which seem to respond to the genuine
feelings of human nature, which. are lofty in their
aim, pure in their purpose, and sincere in their
spirit. If they do not shine with the splendour of a
sublime genius, they cannot fail to be attractive
from their beautiful simplicity.; and it is for these
excellent qualities that the productions of this au -
thor are peculiarly celebrated. In " The Laird of
Norlaw" first-rate talent, exquisite taste, and con-
siderable knowledge of character combine to create
a charming novel.

THIS DAI'S SHIPPING.

LONDON, Nov. 12.—Wind this day at noon, E. ;
strong breeze and fine.

Cam, Nov 11.—Wind N.E.—Sailed—Britannia, for
Trinidad.

QUEENSTOWN, Nov. 10.—Wind E.—Arrived—Childa,
from Sierra Leone.

CARDIFF, Nov. 10.—Wind N.E.—Sailed---Bosphorus,
for Monte Video.

PORTSMOUTH, Nov.ll.—Arrived—Nithroy, from Roche-
fort for Lerwick.
PLYMOUTH, Nov. 11.—Wind E—Arrived—Herald,
from Callao.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
SOUTHAMPTON, Friday Morning.

Wind, E.
Arrived—Duke of Cornwall,. steamer, from Loudon
South-Western, steamer, from Havre ; I'Etoile, from
Carentan.
Sailed—Comet, for Madeira.
LIVERPOOL, Friday Morning.

Wind, S.E.
Off—Devon, from Bombay.
Arrived—Louise Eugenie, from Nantes.
Arrived, Nov. 11— Maid of Athens, from Valparaiso ;
Shark, from Para ; Afazeppa, from Charense ; N Union,
from moricq ; Villa, from Alexandria; Mutlah, from 'Cal-
cutta.