The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-07 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Isabel,
the Young Wife and the Old rove. By
J. C. Jeaffreson, author of " Crewe Rise," &c.,
3 vols. Hurst and Blackett.
Those who admire a lively picture of social life,
of the follies and regrets, the disappointments and
fruitless expectations of human life, will be espe-
cially attracted by this work. In its shifting pa-
norama the good and the evil, the ardent and
generous- -nature, and the cold and calculating
spirit, are alike represented. It is not, as its name
would impliy, of a very sentimental or romantic
description. Its title would seem to indicate that
it was one of the old fashioned school of novels,
which happily have given place to a more
healthy and earnest style of fiction. But in
this the writer scarcely does himself justice. In
the first place, Isabel, the young wife, though un-
doubtedly intended for the heroine, by no means
absorbs the reader's interest. There are many
other moving figures in the drama which are
scarcely of secondary importance. The plot, so far
as its heroine is concerned, is simple. She is the
simple and trustful daughter of a very worldly and
selfish man, whom she believes to be the imper-
sonation of excellence. The Rev. Mr. Dining-
borough, a very wealthy old friend of theirs, of
good family, is much attached to Isabel, and asks
her father's consent to make her his wife. Her
father is overjoyed, and Isabel, in the simplicity- of
her nature, readily agrees, thinking herself highly
honoured, and attaching very little importance to the
fact that he is old enough to be hergrandfather. After
her marriage, however, she travels abroad, and is
introduced to a large circle at home, and, as her
knowledge and experience increases; her opinions
of her own good fortune are modified. She
always retains a eordial affection for the kind,
though indolent, old man ; but she no longer thini 5
him the wisest and greatest of men. She renews
her acquaintance with her cousin, Hugh Falcon,
who had, unknown to her, loved her in secret fo
years, and whom she had always liked and ad-
mired. After some time, during which Hugh Falcon
has confessed his early disappointment to Isabel,
and she has avowed that her husband is no longer
the first object of her affections, her step-son endea-
vours to arouse Mr. Dillingborough's suspicions
and displeasure. But circumstances intervene
which exonerate Isabel in his eyes just as she has
resolved to confess all to him, and, consequently,
all is happily arranged between them and they
retire to their country home, where, after a few years,
the old man dies. The reader expects that Hugh
Falcon will also die, for his suspense is kept up for
a considerable time. He is seized with an alarm-
ing illness after his explanation with Isabel, but,
after many months, recovers. The conclusion of
the story it is not difficult to imagine. The cha-
racters who divide with Isabel the interest of the
story are Everitt Brookbauk and Emily Allerton.
The former is a young lawyer, who devotes very
little attention to his legal studies. He is of au
enthusiastic and high spirited nature, and, unhap-
pily for him, is deeply attached to a beautiful but
worldly heiress, Frances Leatherby, of great abi-
lities, but equal ambition. The struggles of
good and evil in her character keep Eve-
ritt long in suspense. His belief in her
perfection is, however, rudely dispelled, and he is
overwhelmed with disappointment. He at length
finds consolation in the realisation of his dreams of
goodness in Emily Allerton, who is portrayed as
an almost perfect character. The story itself will
be to many less attractive than the sketches from
life, the satire of the style, and the vividnessand
variety of the characters. They are drawn with
force and skill. There is Isabel, the gentle and
sensible wife and mother, conscious of the difficul-
ties of her position, yet resolving to rise superior
to them. There is Hugh Falcon, whose brilliant
talents bring him little satisfaction or distinction—.
exhausted by the unceasing pursuit of excitement,
discouraged and retarded in his course by the sha-
dow of his vain affection. There is Everett Brook-
bank, the young politician, also frittering away
his powers and opportunities through a useless
attachment. There is Frances Letheby, admired
and courted, almost ready to sacrifice her ambi-
tion to her heart, yet speculating with
brokers, and studying the rates of discount. There
is Emily Allerton, devoting herself to the care of
an exacting invalid, who does not even recognise
her. There is Lord Brigden, the successful
schemer, who, with many vices, is not quite har-
dened. These and some others are portrayed with
vigour and effect. There are others who are some-
what overdrawn, some whose resemblance to each
other mars their effect ; but, indeed, the list of
characters is so numerous and so varied, that
success in all of them is scarcely to be expected.
There are many conversations on the social and
political questions of the day, 'and the opinions ex-
pressed are often just and sensible. Though the
chief point of the story is anything but pleasing,
though some extravagances and improbabilities
are met with, the reader will readily admit that
variety and ability are displayed in it.

• The General's Daughter. A Novel. By Captain
I Brook J. Knight. 3 vols. Hurst and Blackett.
This novel possesses the attraction of variety ;
there is a constant change of scene, and a numerous
dramatis persona give a life and animation to the
narrative. Many of the characters are interesting
and many are amusing, particularly Tom Spencer,
whose sketch is ludicrous in the extreme ; he 10
not unlike some conceited and yet ignorant per-
' sons, however, who presume they are fitted to take
part in everything until a sad experience convinces
them of the futility of their vain attempts. In this
instance warning was taken in time, and the victim
contrived to render himself a little wiser and more
conformable to the rules of prudence and propriety.
Kate is a pleasing portraiture, and is more likely
to please than the heroine, Blanche, who
was of a noble nature, but, from many un-
fortunate circumstances, had not improved her
natural advantages. The plot of the atoll
becomes extremely complicated towards the
conclusion, and to the astonishment of every one
Blanche is discovered to be the daughter of Gene-
, ral St. Maur, and the sister of Kate. At first great
confusion arose, but at last general satisfaction was
felt, for Blanche, or Alice as she proved to be was
a general favourite, and all had pitied her unfor-
tunate position, at the time of her introduction
she was a widow, her husband had ill-treated and
neglected her, and this had given her a distrust to
every one. Gradually her native sense and right
feeling triumphed over the gloomy and despairing
thoughts that assailed her. Kate St. Maur's adven-
tures are exciting, and all must admire her spirit
and determination, which it would be well for
many to emulate in trying situations. Vernon's
fate is a just retribution for his crimes, and it is
satisfactory to find him fall a prey to the effects
of his own vile schemes and manoeuvres. Lord
Clifford is a favourable specimen of a generous
and hasty disposition, who generally allowed the
right to be in the ascendant at last, however he
might have been tempted by passion or pride to
succumb. Frederick St. Maur is also an estimable
character, of a higher tone'than his friend, and ever
seeking to perform some friendly action. In
nothing was the innate benevolence of his disposi-
tion more apparent than in his conduct towards
Tom Spencer. This latter individual had saved his
life in their Eton days ; and while many would
have forgot ten the past long before reaching matu-
rity, St. Maur kept up his friendship with him,
when many shunned his acquaintance. He warned
him of his follies, and eventually his kindness was
of great service to him, although not always well
received, as is the case with good advice generally.
During the course of the story many striking pas-
sages occur, as, for instance, the accident to the
General, whom
Clifford managed with great dex-
terity to save when he was in a situation of the
most imminent peril.
The lovers of the romantic will be pleased with
the mystery that envelopes the heroine, and the
extraordinary revelations that are made concerning
the events in Italy. Notwithstanding some points
of the story that may be objected to, it is spirited
in its style, and presents many lively sketches of
society ; the rdader will therefore be at no loss for
entertainment in its perusal.

REPORTED DEATH OP MARSHAL RADETZgy.—The
Correspoadance Havas contains a letter of the 30th ult.
from Vienna, announcing the sudden death of Marshal
Radetzky, commander-in-chief and governor-general in
the Lombardo-Venetian provinces. The Marshal, the
letter states, was carried off by an attack of apoplexy.
The Southampton Customhouse officials have been
reprimanded and cautioned for interfering in the election
in that town. They were partisans of Mr. Andrews.--
a fact which they allowed to become too apparent at II
meeting of Mr. Weguelin's supporters.
Some of the gentlemen in the accountant's depart-
ment of the Great Northern Railway Company have
funned an amateur company under the name of the
Great Northern Dramatic Society, and last evening
enacted " Hamlet" and the farce of " Raising the
Wind," both of which were creditably embodied. [lt is
to be regretted that Mr, Redpath has left the establish-
' ment, otherwise the part of Jeremy Diddler might have
found even a more able representative.]
HAVANNAR, Dec. 15 —The business of the last week
at Havannah has been less active in sugars than usual ;
only 4,245 boxes shipped, of which to the United States,
for New York and Boston, 4,160 ditto. The stock on
hand here counts 65,000 boxes, and at Matanzas near
3,000 boxes. Prices have not changed. Mola,ses--
Contracts made freely, 7/ rials to 8 rials per keg of 6i
ga!lons, for clayed ; muscovado molasses, 8i to 81 ditto.
Exchanges—New York, 8 to 81 discount_ ; other north-
ern, 81 to 8/ ; New Orleans, 6 ditto ; Paris, 81 to 9
ditto. Health good.