The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-22 00:00:00

THE GRAND

LIT-ERATURE

•
treats the subject with a- calmness and moderation
which might teach a salutary lesson to many con-
troversialists. He admits in its widest scope the
right of free inquiry ; he even carries it to an ex-
tent which Many conscientious persons would think
dangerous. He only asserts that the inquirer
should prosecute his researches at home, and proves
; that he has no right in a public library to force
upon others works which are objectionable to them.
He shows how in mixed assemblies every one must
consult the wishes of his neighbour, if peace and
order are to be maintained, and that, under the cry
of free inquiry and the rights of man, they were
really attempting to carry out a most tyrannical
principle. The force of his arguments, and the
toleration of his views, must have done more to
convince these sceptics of their error than volumes
of denunciation and invective. It is mournful, but
not surprising to those who know anything of
human nature, to find that Mr. Robertson's prin-
ciples were the subject of attack and abuse. He
was as entirely superior to the prejudices of any
particular sect in religion as in literature, and con-
sequently those whose prejudices were assailed by
his eloquent denunciations of hypocrisy and
Pharasaism were most bitter in their condem-
nation of what they termed the latitudinarian-
ism of his teaching. Those of more elevated
minds and larger sympathies will take a
very different view of the tendencies of his
doctrine. They will see in it no palliation of sin,
though an earnest pity for the sinner. There is
no confusion of the principles of right or wrong,
only a sense that—
" What's done we safely may compute,
But know not what's resisted."
There is displayed in it that toleration and libe-
raliq- which are but other names for the Christian
charity which St. Paul ranked first among virtues.
It affords another proof that prejudice and severity
are not necessarily the accompaniments of earnest
piety, and that the poet, the philanthropist, and
the logician, may all find scope for the exercise of
their powers in the sphere of the Christian
preacher. •

An OW Debt. By Florence Dawson. 2 -vols.
Smith and Elder.

There is a great deal of merit displayed in this
work, and although the story is certainly a pain-
ful one, many may be interested in it. Some of
'the characters are remarkably well portrayed,
particularly that of the heroine, Ellen Scudamore.
In her we find a just representation of what a
high-spirited and passionate girl would be if almost
totally devoid of self-control, and as impetuous as
she was inexperienced. She had many trials to
subdue and soften her, and it is probable that at
the period when we take leave of her she was
sufficiently improved to become an ornament
and a grace to the society to which her talents
rendered her an acquisition, and a blessing to the
domestic circle, in which she was well fitted to
shine from her affectionate heart and generous dis-
position. Her brother Frederick was a striking
contrast to his sister. He was one of those gra-
cious beings who diffuse a light and brilliancy
over every- circle into which they enter, and who
accord with the description of the poet :
" His presence seems like sunshine sent, to gladden home
and hearth,
To comfort us in all our griefs, and sweeten all our mirth."
It is mournful, however, to sec how the light heart
and sanguine spirit of the boy seemed to regard
the future with trust, as if secure of a long life,
and as if his present ailments were temporary
drawbacks, instead of sure harbingers of the
approach of death. Fortunately for him Frederick
possessed a true friend in his tutor, Edward Young,
who himself was most unfortunately situated, but
who was ever ready to proffer succour and givegood
counsel to those who needed it. He had sufficient