The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-28 00:00:00

The Ruling Passion.
3 v ols.

By Rainey Hawtborne.
Bentley.

This is a most superior work, combining great
knowledge of human nature with considerable
powers of description. The events are striking,
and the plot admirably constructed. There is
nothing improbable in the story, when we take
into account the peculiar characters that it chro-
nicles. The little that is said of General Treby
gives us an idea of the man, as subsequent events
prove him to have been ; but it is in the descrip-
tion of his two sons that the author has put forth
his powers, and has achieved a complete success.
Such finished sketches are seldom seen in the pages
of fiction. The chief point of interest in the story
is the will made by the General on his death-bed,
which was unbefitting a testament executed on so
solemn an occasion. No pure thought, no good
motive, actuated the dying man as he effected this
bequest. He left the children who had grown up
round him totally unprovided for, and left all to
an infant he had never seen, the child of his eldest
son by a former marriage, of whose existence he
had only jest heard. He passed away, his actions
lived after him in years of sorrow, suffering, and
sin. 'No one was benefited by the strange will,
for Delavelle, the eldest son, could not touch the
property, as it was not his own ; but, to keep up
appearances, he became involved in debt, and his
prospects, which had seemed fair when ho came to
England, were soon clouded. Bet it was on Regi-
nald, the second son, that the blow fell with crush-
ing force. He had wen reared in luxury, the heir
of a floe estate, and it was not till after his
father's death that he learned a stranger had been
intermeddling with his fortunes. It was of no
avail to tell him the intruder was his father's
It always seemed to the disinherited that his
birthright had been stolen from him. As a stranger
he met Delavelle, who, to do him justice, meant
to befriend his young brother, it is true in a
patronising way. However, he was never put to
the test, for, when driven from his childhood's
home, Reginald regarded as a deadly foe him who
had been instrumental in causing that outrage,
and swore, in all the passion of youth's fire, joined
to the power of man's revenge, that he would die
rather than be beholden to the destroyer ; but that
while life was his, its sole end, aim, and object
should be to recover the halls of his ancestors,
what he considered his rightful heritage, his be-
loved Briarton. None can fail to sympathise with
the infatuated youth at first, for he had been
cruelly treated ; but as time passes, and the expe-
rience of the world gave him knowledge, and the ,
counsel of friends preached him wisdom, and he
turned his eyes from the one and closed his ears to
the other, the feeling is changed to indignation.
Further on, when he is in the depths of remorse
and despair—when nothing can rid him of his
burden—when he has crossed over .the broad
ocean, and wandered through the trackless forests,
only to learn the deeper misery of being alone
with his grief, all must pity an existence which,
as he himself described it, was blasted. It
became at last impossible to himself to give
up the idea, —it had become a sort of
mania with him, which was only cured by the
fulfilment of his wishes. Possession of his idol
taught him its impotence and emptiness. Was
this fair abode, though clothed with the loveliness
of earth's beauty and crowned with the sunshine of
heaven's light, it smiled to receive him, worth the
price he had paid for it ? Time rolled back, and
memory beheld the years that had passed over
since youth, their answering echoes murmured no.
The only bright spot in Reginald's life was when
be sojourned in the far West, having given up for •
a space his fierce pursuit. Too soon did this tran-
quil time pass away, the summons came to
recall him. Ho felt the parting was a final
one, and with sorrow took leave of the sons
of the wilderness, who were dearer to his
heart than their civilised brethren. Friends, be
exclaimed, " I am going back to my own cold •
land, to the east, whence my sorrows, like yours,
have come. In the eternal hunting-grounds we
may meet again; but never under the grade of
your giant trees, for I am going home to accomplish
the purpose of my existence, to regain ax inheri-
tance of which I was wrongfully deprived. lam
going home to do this, and then to die." His
words were prophetic, for scarcely had the floor of
the threshold sounded to tho tread of the returned
wanderer before it was passed over by those who
carried his lifeless body to where worldly interests •
can claim no share, and whore the voice of human
ambition is mute. The records given of the sisters
of Reginald are very interesting, especially those •
which relate to Marian, who was one of those

•. _
bright chosen spirits scicilom seen. The accident
which happened to her, while it ruined her happi-
ness for this world, imparted to ker a peace beyond •
happiness, in consequence of her turning her burden
into a blessing, by resignation, not repining. Con-
stance was not of so flue a disposition, but she is
pleasing to follow in her course, from her brave
spirit and kind heart ; happily for her she learned
wisdom before it was too late. What is written of •
Delavelle shows him, to us, a clever, scheming
man, and his inordinate desires made his life a tor-
ment. The description of his death, in a storm at sea,
is a masterpiece of composition, it reveals to ns in
a striking manner, how "a vessel had been, and
was not, where men had struggled, and fought
with the elements for life, where death had
triumphed, and the ocean swallowed up its prey
The trial which decided that Reginald was to have
the possession of Briarton, at last, is of great into-,
rest, and like all the other important events in the
story is delineated with a vivid touch, and brought
before us with vigour and spirit. The work a
brilliant one, on the whole ; and, while furnishing
the materials of a story attractive and interesting,
it holds out a solemn warning, which those
who run may read ; it tells in an effective
manner the danger of setting one's hopes
and fears on an object till it becomes a ruling
passion, which ruins life and unfits for death.
It is not likely that the subject could hare been
worked out in a better manner than it has been
done in the pages of this work, and the reader
who has attentively perused it must render jus-
tice to the skill with which a most elaborate
plot has been devised, and pay homage to the
talent with which it is so brilliantly illuminated.
L " The Ruling Passion " will, in all probability,
meet with a great success.

Poetry and Pictures from Thomas Moore. With

illustrations on wood. Longman and Co. I

This is one of the most beautiful gift-books
that has ever been offered to the public. The
selections themselves are, of course, familiar to
every reader, being the favourite songs and passages
from Moores poems, and the illustrations are in
every way worthy of them. The names of the
artists and engravers induce the reader to antici-
pate some beautiful plates, and the expectation is
fully realised. Birket Foster, Maclise, Harrison
Weir, Pickersgill, Cope, and Horsley, are among
the artists, and they worthily maintain their repu-
tations. Some of the most beautiful scenes are
from the pencil of Birket Foster, and among them,
though all are worthy of notice, we may mention
the view of Innisfallen, the illu%trations to " The
Woodpecker," " The Young May Moon," "While
Gazing on the Moon's Light," " Beautyaud Song,"
and to the Canadian boat song—but there are few of
his scenes that will not delight the spectator. Form-
ing a contrast to his glowing landscapes, we meet
the picture of " The Dismal Swamp," very cleverly
drawn by Jasper Cropsey. The very trees par-
take of the gloom, and seem to be dropping
mildew from their weird branches. Another very
striking picture by this artist is the illustration of
the lines—

" There lieth a wreck on the dismal shore,
Of cold and pitiless Labrador."
written on passing Deadman's Island, in the Gulf
of St. Lawrence. Gazelles and roebucks afford
Mr. Harrison Weir some excellent subjects.
Among the best are his illustrations to the Sdng
of the Mountaineer, and tho Finland Love
Song—

" I saw the moon rise clear,
O'er hills and dales of snow,
Nor told my fleet reindeer
The track I wished to go."
where the shadows of the sledge and the cedar
trees are thrown over the clear snow with great
effect. Mr. Topham's picture of " Nora Crena"
is very graceful. It is sufficient praise for the
vignettes to say that they are most of them drawn
by Macli=e. The binding is in the handsome
antique style, and the paper and type in every
way correspond. Those mho receive this volume
among their Christmas presents may indeed esteem
themselves fortunate.

The indisposition of the Earl of Scarborough (says
the Nottingham Journal), consequent upon an accidental
fall backwards in attempting to cross a ditch while out
shooting on the Longshaw Moors, in August last, has
created feelings of the deepest regret throughout the
whole of this district. By this lamentable disaster, the
spine has, we understand been severely injured. The
advice of Dr. Ferguson and Dr. Bright, two eminent
metropolitan physicians has been obtained. They
have
recommended that the noble earl should refrain from the
least exertion.
STATE OF DERBY.—We regret to say that very
exaggerated reports of the state of affairs in Derby have
found their way into several Manchester and one or two
London papers. Undoubtedly trade there, as elsewhere,
is in rather a depressed state, and a number of work-
people are out of employment, whom the benevolent ars
about to supply with soup for the time being ; but the
utmost order prevails, and there is not the slightest
warrant for the somewhat alarming statement that has
been circulated.--Derby Reporter of Nov. 27,
•