The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-25 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Rocks and . Shoals. By Captain Lovesy. 2 vols.

Wes t erton, Hyde-bark-corner.

We meet with a most lively_ and entertaining
story in these volumes, and the knowledge of the
world which the author possesses in an eminent
degree imparts an air of reality to the narrative
which enhances its merits. There are many
characters met with, some of whom are sketched
with decision and point, and we meet with every
variety of disposition in the actors who enact their
role in this drama of existence. The interest is
not confined to the fortunes of the hero, for there
are many of those mentionad who attract attention
from their peculiar styles, and engage the notice
from their strange adventures. Mrs. Ursula
Walmsley is very ably described as a miser, and
she demonstrates the lesson so often shown in the
career of such unhappy and misguided mortals.
After a life of penury she died without a friend,
and her misused concealed treasures proved a source
of contention and strife among the survivors. It
was -satisfactory that they at last came into the
possession of one who was calculated to make a
good use of them, but Geoffrey Hibblethwaite had
an arduous struggle before the golden prize was
won. Sir Henry Farnley is an effective illustration
of the fearful
,consequences that so often ensue
ffom the dangerous and delusive course of life- he
followed. The crafty designs of Mr. Hawker, and,
the deadly schemes of Mr. Lockyer are also admi-
rably pourtrayed, and the retribution of avenging
justice that overtook them both is a strikingfea-
ture in the work. On the whole, "Rocks and
Shoals" may be looked upon as an ingeniously
constructed story, and the reader who desires an
exciting sketch cannot do better than peruse its
pages.

Extremes. By Emma Welcher Atkinson. 2 vols;

Smith and Elder.

This is a peculiar style of book, not so much
adapted to the general reader as to a particular
class. The story is related in an agreeable manner,
and cannot fail to amuse ; and the dissertations on
the serious subjects are written in a very sensible
manner. The authoress points out the follies of
extremes in religion, carrying fanatical ideas to
excess, and spurninc, all forms from an exaggerated
self-sufficiency. Frank Halstead, the hero, is a
young clergyman, who, with excellent principles
and the best intentions, commits many grievous
errors, which militate against his own interest in
a personal manner, while they impede his progress
in his vocation, and seriously injure the cause to
which he is sincerely devoted. It is a relief to the
reader to make the acquaintance of a man like Mr.
Leatham, who is a worthy minister of the Church,
and whose beneficial advice is of vital service
to the infatuated and misguided Halstead.
Margaret Langley, the heroine, is a delightful
heroine, and in her many wanderings and sad ad-
ventures in the world in which she was a friendless
adventurer, she displayed a spirit of self-reliance and
ineependence that was of essential service to her, at
the same time that she was of a gentle and unas-
suming nature in herself, only the pressure of cir-
cumstances compelled, her to action. Lady Aston
is a powerful sketch of a wordly lady, who dis-
played some of the worst qualities that could dis-
grace a woman. Sir Henry Aston was superior to
the rest of his family, and his determined devotion
to Miss Langley was a proof of the discernment of
his character,,while it did honour to his spirit in
spurning the restraints of worldly conventionalities.
He was unfortunate, however, for Margaret was
married to Halstead, and the story of their lives,
hitherto so gloomy, ends with a brighter prospect.
The introduction of George Heseltine and Annie
adds to the interest of the narrative, as their simple
annals aae naturally described.

The Minister's Wooing. By H. Beecher Stowe
author of " Uncle Tom's Cabin," &c., with illus
trations by Phiz. Samson Low and Sons. -
The appearance of a new work from the pen of
the able exponent of the wrongs and sufferings of
the negro must necessarily excite considerable in-
terest. The readers of the present work will have
little cause to lament a deterioration of power,
though it is in an entirely different channel, some-
thing totally opposed to the character of her former
productions, though evidently the result of consi-
derable care and thought. The strength is sub-
dued; the story depends more on the evolution of
character and the portraiture of a peculiar sect than
on heartstirring records of oppression, or scenes of
tragic force. Nevertheless the book possesses great
interest for thoughtful readers, and will afford them
matter for reflection. It will not probably be so
extensively read as her former works nor so great
a favourite among cabual and unthinking readers ;
but those who have the inclination and capacity to
peruse it steadily and to reflect upon the new sphere
of life and thought to which it introduces them, will
probably value it highly. Besides all its logic_ and
discussion, there are some touches of nature, some
vivid portraitures of mental emotion, that show how
wzrm are the writer's sympathies with suffering,
and how little her cold theological doctrine has
been able to interfere with the comprehensive
humanity of her nature. She has endeavoured,
she tells us in her brief introduction, to paint
a style of life and manners which existed in
New England in the earlier days of her national
existence. Some of the principal .characters are
historic, and the leading events of the story are
founded on actual facts, although arranged and
varied for the purposes' of the tale. Colonel Bun,
Dr. Hopkins, and other celebrities of the time are
introduced. The minister, whore wooing is the
subject of the story, is an excellent man, who in-
' spires the reader with interest and respect, not-
withstanding his intricate doctrines and interference
with Mary's love-dream. He lodges with the Widow
. Scudder, a notable New England housewife, pos-
sessing largely. the gift of " faculty " which New
England women hold in such high esteem. Her
only daughter, Mary, is a charming character.
With a warm and loving heart she combines large
powers of reflection and a turn for speculative
theology. Her earnest religious feelings. make her
a dutiful pupil and fervent admirer of the Minister,
who is a sincere and highly excellent man, and
combines much practical benevolence with his
theoretical perplexities and problems. He has
espoused the cause of the negroes,:thereby forfeiting
much worldly wealth by giving great offence to
some influential members of . his congregation.
Mrs. Scudder, a devoted follower of the doctor, and
a ready believer of his most difficult doctrines, sees
with delight his growing love for Mary. Mary,
however, has loved from childhood, a merry,
thoughtless, good-hearted youth named James
Mervyn, who does not at all. belong to the rigid
school of the doctor and Mrs. Scudder. He is the
youngest of a large family, strictly , brought up,
and has always been looked on as a scapegrace. He
is the idol of his mother, who is a highly-gifted
woman, of a sensitive, nature, one of those on
whom the deadly influence of Calvinism falls like • a
blight. She is convinced that she has no part with
the " elect," and goes about her duties with mourn-
ful resignation. Her husband, who is a strict Cal-
vinist, is little comfort to her, and her secret conso-
lation is her youngest ehild,James. Mrs. Scudder is
uneasy at the evident attachment of the youngiseople,
but James goes to sea for three years, which re-
lieves her mind, After a considerable time, during
which many other events take place, news is
brought that his ship has been lost. Great is the
grief of Mary, and great the agony of his mother
who believes that her son is lost for ever. Her
tortured mind nearly gives way, and she breaks
out into a vehement attack on the religion in
which she has been brought up. Husband, friend, and
minister can give her no comfort, for they share the
same dismal theory. At last Candace, a faithful
old negress, who is a prominent character in the
tale, breaks through the dreary theology that
can find no word to soothe 4 mother's sorrow, and
with earnest pathos in her rough untutored
language, she tells of Him who, on the
Cross thought of his suffering mother. She assures
her, afflicted mistress that "there's a dreadful mistake
somewhere" in her religion, an opinion in which the
reader heartily concurs. After the lapse of time, and
the influence of resignation have dulled the keen
edge of sorrow, and Mary is again calm and cheer-
ful, the Doctor finds courage to speak. Mary,
surprised and disappointed, yet loving him with
childlike affection, and , anxious to please her
mother, consents to become the minister's wife.
Grand preparations are accordingly made by the
housewives of the neighbourhood, when the sudden
reappearance of James Mervyn, a week before the
wedding, throws every one into perplexity. Mary
is too honourable to break her promise. The
Docto,• had never known of the early love. Mrs.
Scudder is anxious the marriage should take 'place,
so poor James Marvyn is sadly puzzled how to act.
At last Miss Prissy, a neighbou:, and quite
a character in her way, cuts the gordian knot,
by tellin ,s the doctor all. He at once refuses to
accept `Mary's promise and all is happily settled.
So ends the story', whose chief purpose as the
writer tells us, is to disnlay the state of New Eno.-
land in her earlier days. Many other characters
are introduced, all sketched with Mrs. Stowe's
peculiar skill. Some passages are full of force
and beauty, like the pages on sorrow in the twenty-
fourth chapter, and many touches of humour, and
happy sketches of domestic scenes soften and re-
lieve the graver portion, The work will probably
not be so popular as Mrs. Stowe's former tales, but
it shows, no diminution of ability and is interesting
from its portraiture of a state of society and'feelingb
so opposite to our own.