The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-12 00:00:00

LITER ATURE,

The Taco Brothers. By the Author of " The Dis-
cipline of Life," " The Young Lord," &c., else,
3 Vols. Hurst and Blackett.
The higher class of novel readers will welcome
the appearance of a work by this author. They
will know that they are sure of something genuine
in the tope of the composition, something elevated
in the expression of thethoughts. In these volumes
they will find this idea realised, and something
beyond to interest and attract in the style of the
narrative. It has generally been the object of this
writer to trace the working of some powerful pas-
sion on the human mind, to follow its course as it
comes into contact with the chances and changes of
this world's busy scene. In some respects this
story has more merit than i's predecessors, inas-
much as there are more objects worthy of regard to
study. It is interesting to notice the father and
sons in their different dispositions. The elder Mr.
Vavasour is a most superior character, if it could
not be said of him that, " Even his failings
leaned to virtue's side," it is certain that his
faults were these of the good. His ruling
passion was over-sensitiveness with regard to his
own family, a tendency to forget that, however
renowned it might formerly have been, however
honourable might be its present spirit, a man to
do his duty to his own generation must go out
into the world and forget himself in their service.
It is in this noble self-forgetfulness that Everard
chiefly excels. Me was not wrapt up in visionary
ideas of past glories, and lost in contem-
plation of the future of his house. He served
its interests in the truest manner when he
studied himself ; he trained himself in the stern
school of self-denial, while the gay spirit
of youth tempted him to enjoy its fleeting hour of
sunshine. Years passed, and when life brought its
sorrows to be borne, and its fiery trials to be en-
countered, the early li-ssous wore not forgotten,
for the discipline of life was the battle field for
which he had been training. It is not to be sup-
posed that Everard Vavasour is represented as one
of those pieces of perfection, who are regarded with
a smile by the experienced, and a sneer by the
cynical. He is shown as strong, not because he is
miraculously exempt from human weaknesses, but
because he rises superior to thorn—he is good, not
from innocence, but virtue ; he is not removed
from temptation, but placed in its power, that we
may know he walks on his way unchallenged—not
because his enemies are not in sight, but because
he has met them face to face, and been conqueror
in a more than mortal struggle. It is true that the
wayward and volatile Robert brings out his con-
duct in bold relief, but his brother was the chief
stumblingbleck in his path, and the fear
of seeming to supplant him, caused him many
a bitter hour. Robert is well described as one of
those dangerous individuals who possess a marvel-
lous power to fascinate and charm, yet are deficient
in moral strength, and, so far from influencing
others aright, are continually suffering themselves
to go astray. With a sensitsve spirit, and a heart
that craved for affection, Everard early saw the
love of all concentrated on Robert. On him was
his mother's anxious gaze directed—for him were
his father's fears awakened—ail the fairest gifts of
this life, all the world has most 'unworldly, were
showered on his favo'ured. head. It was hard to
endure, till the thought arose that he was not
to look for recompense if he would faithfully
perform his works, the consciousness of well
doing should suffice to the spirit that truly
aspires. Such reflections brought peace, and it
afterwards proved that the stings were blessings in
disguise, and that the bright career of the favoured
one of fortune was to be overcast at noon-day.
While the son who was to represent the family, who
was the idol of all hearts, fell short of his early
promise and brought, in reality, the gray hairs of
his father with sorrow to the grave, he who had
been neglected and passed by, was the saving spirit
of the darkened hour of death, and the prop of the
family bending in the sharp anguish of the burden
of disgrace, that had fallen at last on their proud
heads. The scenes succeeding the death of Mr.
Vavasour are admirably described. 'I he two bro-
thers then, indeed, underwent a moral ordeal,
and came out triumphant in a manner
that might have gladdened the broken heart and
revived the crushed spirit of their agonised father,
could he have looked back to the scene of his
earthly hopes, which had been the witness of his
bitter disappointment.- Then Robert showed a
character that need not have disgraced the records
of any line of ancestry, however noble or heroic
—a desire to atone for his sins in the only way
left him, by submitting himself to his father's will,
which left the younger the master of the estate
and the rukr of the property. Hard as it
was for Robert to be cut off, it was a
harder fate which decreed Everard to succeed.
There can be no more painful position for
an upright mind than to be compelled
to sat against the desires of others, apparently for
army-more ttiaii we all pre Vent,
who Would have toiled and starved with patience,
had he been appreciated, now found it his duty to,
live as lord and master, the proof of his obedience
was to take the command. The noble conduct of
Robert took the chief still.; from the endeavour,
but there remained the trial of his mother's violent
partiality to the disinherited heir. Her idol was
displaced from its shrine, and she could not be at
peace with the unknowing instrument who carried
out the decree of offended justice. There were to
be endured the false impressions of friends, the
slanders of enemies, and the general impression of
something wrong that attached itself to the whole
affair. Those who have watched Everard's up-
ward and onward course will rejoice when he
reaches the ardently desired consummation, when
long years of weary struggles, dark hours of untold
anguish, at last bear the fruit of his hopes. He
has long since chos,rn his calling, he has been for
some time devoted to his work, but he now beheld
his brother rescued from the evil course on which
he had entered. No cunning speculator for worldly
wealth, no longing aspirant for honours, ever suc-
ceeded to a dearly-prized inheritance, or took pos-
session of the shining store, with more heartfelt
pleasure than Everard experienced as he laid down
his power and reliuguished his position. Angela
Gresham, who may be called the heroine, is a fine
character, who is well shown to have been spoilt
by her faulty education, and injured by her father's
pernicious influence. The passages referring to
her fitful conduct one moment following a
good motive, the next being ruled by an evil
sugeestion, are very forcibly illustrated. There
could not have been a greater contrast than be
tween her and Hope Linton, whose sweet and
gentle nature endeared her to all hearts. She
was as a gift of sunshine to the darkened abode
of Audley Court ; yet with all her lowliness of
was as strong as adamant when
disposition she
truth and right wore called in question. It was
in this decision that Angela was wanting, and
the deficiencycaused her many grievous failures,
and bitter hours of self-reproach. It was the
want of a guiding principle of right that worked
Robert's ruin, and nearly overwhelmed his family.
They were saved by the courage of Everard, who
had early learned to rule the city of his own de-
sires. The motto to the work was his watchword
through life—" Trust on, and think to-morrow will
repay." This was his support when strength would
otherwise have failed him—his hope when all around
despaired. After a long day of watching and wait-
ing at eventide there was light, but even had it
„been otherwise he would have looked beyond to a
morrow where the light shall nevei fade, but shine
on brighter to the perfect day. There is something
elevating to the mind in d welling on such studies of
human nature, as are here presented to our notice,
and we may regard this work asi another example of
that superior style of fiction, in the cretti .n of
which this author has been shining and conspicuous.

77ie Views and Opinions of Brigadier-General
John Jacob, C.B. Collected and edited by Cap-
tain Lewis Pelly. Second edition. Smith and

Elder.

The opinions and exportencs of any man who has
held an influential position in India for some
years, at the present time carry weight and im-
portance ; but when that individual bears a name
so eminent, and pos4esses abilities so remarkable,
as General Jacob, the interest and authority of a
book issued by such a writer is greatly heigh•ened.
The work is arranged by a simple and systematic
method into five parts : Civil Administration, Mili-
tary Matters Relating to the North-West frontier of
India, Relating to the Persian War, and Observa-
tions on the present condition of ,India, and on
the Re-organisation of its Civil and Military Ad-
ministration. These top'es, it will be seen, embrace
most of the great questions affecting the G ,vern-
ment of India. Each part is subdivide 1 into many
small portions, each expressing some definite
opinion or decision, with a brief heading, and the
date of its expiession. Though disjointed, there is
something terse and sensibl- in this arrangement,
and the full and complete table of contents enable
the reader to turn to any page or paragraph imme-
diately. Though, of course, many will differ from
the theories laid down, and the practices recom-
mended, none can fail to be impressed by the sound
sense and integrity everywhere perceptible, and
those who disagree, must, at least, be moderate in
their opposition to plans which have stood the test
of experiment. No rule, method, or system, how-
ever complete, however elaborate, carefully trained,
and ingeniously applied, will suit every combina-
tion of circumstances, every. scene in the constantly
changing drama of human life and actions. It is
enough, if the principle which inns through it be