The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-12 00:00:00

T SITN,

respect of freehold land of the ,nnoul value of 6/., and
was in possession of the estate. Tilt? ...e:.•;per:y was
na9rtgag-d to secure the riTAyZi.;,:'t of 10U. leo,
to the respondent, bet the ti,ortg4p,c9 rid not.
extend to the payment' of it,t,:rest on Lilo Ilar,. The
mortgage recitv.d that the loan had been otitai,-,,d
time previously, but that all interest on the stl:e tied
paid up to the date of the deed. It e. as c.tntenA,d the•
the land was not of the yearly value of 40s. clear of all
charges and after payment of interest on Vie loan. The
respondent, on the other hand, contended that the in-
terest was not chargeable on the estate, a hich
had only been mortgaged as security for the
principal, and that he had tifilltient int-rest in
it to entitle him to a vote. The It- vi,sin4 Barrister held
that there was no charge on the land operating in
of the annual value to the respondent, so as to
affect his right to be registered, and as the mortga;;eo
had not talten possession of the estate, he was entitled to
have Ins name on the register. Against that decision
the present appeal was instituted.
Mr. CORNER contended, on behalf of the appellant,
that the decision of the *Revising Barrister ought to be
reversed, and referred t.) the me) ut Copehlnd v. Bart-
lett in support of his pr.•pcndtion: The opinion of the
Court in that case was that a member of a building so-
ctey, who purchased a garden and cottage, and meet-
gagtd them to the society as suavity for the pay-
ment of the principal advanced to him and interest,
was not entitled to a vote, though he had possession of
the property, and had never failed to pay his regular
instalments during the time he had been in occupation.
The circumstances in that appeal were almost entirely
similar to those in the present case, with the exception
that the mortgage did not extend to the payment of
interest.

Mr. Sergeant BYLES submitted that the decision of the
Revising Barrister was quite correct.
Tne COURT was of opinion that the respondent had
not a freehold estate worth 403. a year clear of all de-
ductions and charges, and coni.equently that his name
ought to be expunged from the register.
The Revising Barrister's decision was therefore re-
versed.

BAIL COURT.-(THIS DAY.)
(Before Mr. Justice PATTESON.)

The grand jury for the term were sworn in and ad-
dressed by the Learned JUDGE this morning. His
Lordship told them that it was customary to swear in
two grand juries every term, but at present he was not
aware of there being anything at all for them to do, nor
was it likely that there would be, as it was usual to pre-
fer common indictments in the Central Criminal Court,
and only cases of misdemeanour for keeping disorderly
houses, perjury, assaults, and conspiraly, were brought
into this court. Up to that hour, however, none had
been preferred, nor was it likely that any would be, at
least he hoped not, and their duties would therefore be
merely of a formal character.
The grand jury then retired.
HILL V. PARTRIDGE.

Mr. DOWDESWELL moved in this case for arule to show
cause why the peremptory undertaking to proceed to
trial should not he enlarged. The Learned Gentleman
moved on au affidavit declaring the fact that he was
unable to find a material witness, whose evidence was
indispensably necessary for establishing his claim. The
name of the witness was John Thomas. He was. a
miner, working in the Oak Farm Mines, near Dudley,
but the plaintiff was ignorant of his nick name, by which
he was known amongst his own fraternity. Miners,
the affidavits stated, were only known to each other by
these sobriquets, and until the plaintiff discovered John
Thomas's fictitious cognomen it would be impossible to
find him out.—Application granted.

BANKRUPTCY,—(THIS DAY.)
(Before Mr. Commissioner EvAt4.)
IN RE CAPTAIN WARNER.
In this case bail was tendered on behalf cf Captain
Warner, and Mr. Donaldson, of Finsbury, was accepted
in the sum of 5001., and Mr. Bliss, accountant of Moor-
gate-street, was appointed by the Commissioner to make
up the accounts.
The other cases were audit and dividend meetings
pro forma.

LONDON, TUESDAY

LITERATURE.

NEW NOVELS.

SINGLETON FOIVTENOY, R,N. By James
Hannay. 3 Vols.
THEL UTT Rle LS. By FolkestoneWilliams. 3 Grols,
CLA UD E. By Mary Molesworth. 2 Vols.
THE DOUBLE OATH. By the Baroness de
Calabrelia 3 Vols.
LIGHT AND DARKNESS. By Mrs. Crowe.
3 Vols
THE ABDUCT 10N. By the Baroness Proch7zka,
3 Vols.
LE.TTIOE ARNOLD. By the Authoress of
" Emilia Wyndham." 2 Vols.
HEARTS IN MORTMAIN,,and CORNELIA.
1 Vol.
There is a season for all things, but for novels
there is apparently alWays a season. Every month
and every week of the weati ,n presents the reading
public with some new fiction, complete in three
volumes, or with some additional chapters of those
published in a serial form. Rarely have the lovers of
light literature been more bountifully provided than
at the present moment, now when Dickens has,given
us the concluding chapters of one of the most de-
lightful of even his delightful works, and now, when
Bulwer is unfolding the opening passages of that
" novel" which promises to be the worthy companion
of the " Caxtons. ' Thacheray's graphic pencil is still
busied with the foibles and follies of our modern
" Vanity Fair," and " Currer Bell," we doubt not, is
keeping a shrewd watch on the deeds and misdeeds of
her contemporaries, and preparing some new matter
of astonishment and delight for her admirers. It is
hardly necessary to enumerate all the names con-
spicuous in the varied and attractive list of novel
writers who are now enriching us with the fruits of
their genius and. their industry—a list from which we
still miss with regret the brilliant author of " Co-
ningsby," than whom we could better spare many
others. The indefatigable James still plies his much-
used pen. Mrs. Trollope and Mrs. Gore are unex-
hausted ; and Mrs. Marsh, the charming authoress of
" Emilia Wyndham," is even now adding another to
her truthful records of woman's life and her exquisite
delineations of womanly character. Miss Jewry, the
able writer of the " Forest and the Fortress ;" the
earnest and deep-thinking author of " Silwood ;"
Lady Ponsonby, the admirable expositor of the
" Discipline of Life ;" the talented biographer of
" Anne Dysart ;" the eloquent writer of " Mary
Barton"—a work unequalled of its class—and many
other of our yeung authors and authoresses,
hold out fair promise for the future to the novel-read-
ing world. Bearing in mind these and other novels,
and novel-writers, not here mentioned, we are disposed
to examine with especial scrutiny, and perhaps with
excessive severity, the new fictions which are from
time to time presented to us. Differing, as the various
productions of different writers necessarily must in
style, and sentiment, and subject, there is one mea-
sure, nevertheless, by which we are disposed to test
the merits of every fictitious tale, namely, in the truth-
fulness of its representation of life. While we must con-
fess we have little sympathy fora novel which is writ.
ten with some avowed and apparent object, we regard
with especial predilection those fictions which simply,
but faithfully hold the mirror up to nature, and without
parade or ostentation, without exhibiting the grave
countenance of the monitor, or wielding the ferule
of the schoolmaster, gently and lovingly show us
what we are and vs hat we should be—doing good by
stealth, charming instead of chastising the wayward
and undisciplined heart. Such novels there are.
Such gentle lessons we have learned by the death-
bed of Dora, or in the humble boat-house on the Yar-
mouth sands. Such gentle lessons we have learned,
when we followed the despairing Roland De Caxton
in his melancholy pursuit of his profligate son, or when
we listened to the words of simple wisdom falling from
his brother's lips. Such novels there are. Why
are there not more of them ? History is filled with a
pompous chronicle of events, the causes of which she
can seldom unravel, for those causes are often too it,-
tricate or too minute to be perceptible to the most
searching scrutiny. A spark produces a conflagra-
tion, and a word may sometimes occasioa conse-
quences as important.
" A something light as air—a look—
A word unkind or wrongly taken"—
may make or mar the happiness of a lifetime. And
here it is that we hold the services of the novel-
writer to be invaluable. By his faithful portraiture
of human life and human character, by showing us
not " faultless monsters," but men and women like
those actually around us, he may, if gifted with
sufficient powers of penetration, reveal to us the secret
but effectual agency of trifles, and make us know by
example bow momentous are the consequences of
those words and actions which we are too apt to dis-
regard as insignificant. The influences of indivi-
dual character upon society are incalculable, and
equally incalculable and important are the influences
which mould that character for good andevil—influences
as imperceptible as the air we breathe, but more potent
than the lessons conned in childhood, or the homi-
lies pondered over in riper years. Many persons ob-
ject to " novel-reading," because it unfits those who
indulge in it for the realities of life, but when novel-
writing is what it should be novel-reading produces
an opposite effect. So far from making life appear
tame and insipid, it points out to us its real grandeur
and importance. So far from inclining us to fold our
hands in inaction, it impels us " so to act that each to-
morrow find us further than to-day." As the teachers
of such practical truths, we hold the position of novel-
writers to be most honourable, and knowing them to
possess such a capacity for good, we are apt to regard
their compositions with a curious scrutiny. Not that
we desire to see novels filled with sermons, on the
contrary, some of the very best hardly contain
one word of advice or admonition. It is
by their faithful pictures of the human heart, as it
is, good, bad, and indifferent, that they at the same
time charm and instruct their readers. How many
mean, unworthy actions that do not absolutely in-
fringe the moral code the best of us are prone to
commit,until, in considering some imaginary character
in the selfishness of a Chuzzlewit, or the irresolution
ofia fge
fiction-writer
the
teerorl yei,s amvoosti
Truth.ce essential seNe mos matterto
w whisper, i s pe
characteristicr , .ll
whethero u tf atht
hisne
norn.ine de to fabula narratur. Therefore, we say
lht eko r
eno—se s t
are
hb ee vini
nro tar uat
uol
ruoas
fl ol
ytr villainosuggested
ushistories providedbw
itthh
the variety
they h
be ye be li f
obviouseo -f
explanatoryha,,,e
recently
keelya
claimed
duocuhr con side
attention.r a-
Nt:nnodowvreMelcisru'.:Trwerhoilnclohope directs our thoughts to the heroic
struggles of Vendean loyalty, now Fenimore Cooper
excites our interest by a tale of American jurispru-
dence, now Alton Locke revives anew the difficulties
and the delusions of Chartism ; then Mrs. Crowe mys-
tifies and appals us with another revelation of horrors.
Novels as various in character as the colours of their
binding (for the old-fashioned uniform is disappear-
ing) are before us. Among the most attractive of
these miscellaneous fictions is the first novel (we have
seen) of a promising writer.

Singleton Fontenoy, R.N. By James Hannay. 3 Vas.
From the initials appended to
hisname it will be
observed that "Singleton Fontenoy" forms part of
the royal navy, and the novel which bears his name
is, to a certain extent, a sea-story but to a certain
extent only. Land and water, 'politics and naval
matters, the most serious and the lightest topics, are
touched upon with an equally skilful hand, and ren-
dered equally attractive. " Singleton Fontenoy "
is, in truth,
any very a
possessing moat fascinating work—
withoutdeep interest,
it lures the reader on from page to page, from subject
to subject, never wearying, and continually affording
amusement or suggesting thought. In the first
volume we find the young Singleton at home in a
country house, with an unsociable father. In his
neighbourhood resides the family of the Lepels. The
eldest son, Frederick L?pel, just returned from
college, wears spectacles to increase his apparent age,
frequents Chartist meetings, and aspires to fill a pro-
minent political position. The character of this clever
but insincere schemer is happily drawn, and is pro-
bably not without its counterpart. From politics
we turn to school, after a stormy expulsion i
from which young Singleton s sent to sea.
Mr. Hannay's naval experience is visible in
his sketches of the various commanders and
companions with whom Singleton's sea• life makes him
acquainted. In this part of the narrative occurs a most
affecting episode, which better than a hundred argu-
ments
exposes the horrors o unmanly
f the
punish-
ment still retained for the sake
is flogged,
discipline." One '
of the sailors of Singleton's ship flogged, and the
revolting scene is shortly afterwards followed by a sea
funeral—that of the very man who had been punished
(his death being the consequence of an accident quite
irrespective of the punishment). Officers and sailors
stand bareheaded round the corpse ; the utmost solem-
nity prevails ; every possible respect is testified to-
wards the corpse of him who, when alive, was treated
as some soulless brute—" Death had vindicated the
sanctity of man." This beautiful sentence sums up
the impressive lesson so forcibly set forth by these
contrasting scenes. Now in England, now
in the sunny south, now serious and thoughtful, now
rash and reckless, Singleton pursues his varied career
throughout three delightful volumes, and at last we
part from him with regret. Many beautiful thoughts
we might transcribe from the pages of this work—one
or two will, however, serve as
an ensample of the rest.
Speaking of the infidel reasoning of the so-called phi-
losopher, how truthfulis the sentence—" Philoso-
phical dreams are very well in the study, carry them
to your loved one's grave and see how they will console
you there." Again, with equal felicity, it is said of
those good impulses which occasionally influence us,
they may be "vibrations of the heart under the
touch of the finger of God.' Among some sensible
remarks on oratory, we read "the true orator is the
poet of the practical; he has to bring a great imagi-
nation and a deep heart to deal with the business
of his day, and by making whataits necessary glorious,

EVENING, NOVEMBER 12, 1850.

and elevating duty into something divine, he should
be able to touch the heart of the multitude abroad as
religion or poetry touches it at home." Foi. Carlyle
and Emerson, and some others, Mr. Hannsy evinces
a great enthusiasm. After quoting:a sentence from the
latter, he observes, in a foot-note, that lie has com-
mitted an anachronism, but adds, " I would risk a
worse fault to introduce a line of Emerson's." Again
of " Pendennis," he observes that it unites " the
goo:l sense of a homily with the easy charm of a
novel." These generous remarks are the more de
lightful, because, as Singleton observes, " the error of
our time is not that of admiring too much." Cordially
do we commend " Singleton Fontenoy," because,
with some artistic faults, apparently the results of
hasty composition, it will delight those who peruse it,
and some of its suggestions will linger lovingly in
their remembrance.

The Luttrels; or, the Two Marriages. Ry Fakes

stone Williams. 3 Vols.

The author of " Shakspere and his Friends" and
"Maids of Honour," two very dissimilar but most
delightful works, has not added to his celebrity by his
recent production. Clever sketches and abundant
evidences of talent are to be met with in "The
Luttrels," but the main incidents of the tale are so re•-
volting that we can pronounce no commendation upon
the work. The unnatural incidents which so often
shock our tastes in foreign romances have rarely ex-
ceeded in unnaturalness the mystery of " The Lut-
trels." The " Two Marriages," which give the
second title to the book, are the real and pretended
unions of one heroine to two individuals bearing the
close relation of father and son. Until nearly the
close of the tale the reader is ignorant as to which is
the real husband of Lucy; and the hero of the tale
(young Luttrel) encounters in his wanderings a
namesake, the son of Lucy, whom he believes to be
his brother, but who ultimately proves to be
his son. With such incidents for his theme,
Mr. Williams must forgive us if, in spite of a
pleasant recollection of his former works, and, not-
withstanding the talents visible in this one, we dismiss
" The Luttrels" from our consideration with send-
mentsof exceeding dissatisfaction.

Claude; or, the Double Sacrifice. .By Mary Moles

worth. 2 -Vas.

It is far more agreeable to commend than to censure,
and " Claude" affords us ample opportunities for coin-
Inendation. Let us, however, before beginning that
grateful task, hint to the fair authoress that a
woman's pen, no matter how ably it may touch upon
the most important topics, should always preserve a
peculiar grace and softness of expression. 'While
" Claude" abounds with beautiful thoughts, there are
occasionally to be met with sentences, sometimes put
into the mouth of Ada, its heroine, which we are in•
clined to think deficient in feminine delicacy. These
blemishes are only trivial ones, but we particularise
them because the authoress evinces such a capacity of
feeling and such a power of expression, as in-
duce us to number her among our writers
of fairest promise. " Claude" may be divided into
two parts—the one, gay and sparkling, fascinates from
its vivacity of style and variety of scene, while the
other is rendered -vet more fascinating from its
genuine pathos and enthralling interest. In the com-
mencement of the tale the beautiful, clever, and
wealthy Ada Franscillon is wooed by many suitors,
but persuaded by none, and, in her conversations
with an anxious aunt, the fair lady evinces a wise
conviction that a single life is an infinitely happier
lot than a marriage of convenance; or ambition. In
this part of the narrative occur many shrewd obser-
vations and much brilliant writing. Ultimately,
Claude makes his appearance, and after some of those
difficulties which proverbially impede the course of true
love, is betrothed to Ada, and now commences the
mournful but most beautiful portion of the narrative.
The young officer (he is in the army abroad) is about
to return to claim his bride, when he rec elves a
wound which threatens to prove mortal. He
comes home in the daily expectation of
death. The womanly character of the gay and bril-
liant Ada now becomes apparent. There are passages
towards the close of the simple narrative (the first
volume of wbich abounded with matter of amuse.,
ment) which it is hardly possible to peruse without
tears. We shall not say how the " Double Sacrifice"
is terminated, but we commend " Claude" to the at-
tention of all who can sympathise with a truthful
picture of human hearts agitated by the most sub-
lime emotions.

The Double Oath. By the Barouness de Calabrella.

-3
T-ols.

The principal incident of this novel somewhat re-
minds us of the main feature of Miss Edgeworth's
" Helen.' Like Helen, the virtuous but too easily
guided heroine of the " Double Oath" is exposed to
unjust suspicions. from which she cannot clear her-
self without inculpating a married friend. The cha-
racters of the two ladies chosen by the Baroness Cala-
brella as the heroines of her romance are totally dissimi-
lar, but their different portraits are sketched with a skil-
ful hand. The one is favoured by fortune and the other,
jealous of her companions's superior lot, devotes her
very considerable abilities to her own aggrandisement.
To effect this end she scruples not to sacrifice the
dearest feelings of her own heart, and, consequently,
even though for a time successful in her schemes,
she reaps nothing but misery. The climax of the
tale is horrible and somewhat overdrawn, but the
moral is good, and some of the characters introduced
are very attractive. Of these is the charming Lady
Horton, who, possessed of most refined tastes and
mistress of various accomplishments, finds on her
marriage that her husband, notwithstanding their
mutual attachment, has no sympathy with her pur-
suits and is devoted to agricultural cares and sporting
pleasures. The secresy with which the fair
Julia conceals her disappointment, the amiability
with which she adapts herself to her husband's views,
and the dexterity with which she wins him to more
intellectual occupations, is cleverly described, and
conveys an instructive lesson.

Light and Darkness. By Mrs. Crowe. 3 Vols.
its
authoress, title of this novel, and the name of
authoress, sufficiently indicate its nature, and pro-
mises a rich treat to the lovers of the supernatural,
but not the lovers of the supernatural only will be
gratified by these three volumes. They contain tales
of different lengths, some of which have already ap-
peared in print, of very various characters, reflect-
ing the lights as well as the shadows of life. The
" Two Miss Smiths," for example, is a sprightly and
humorous sketch ; and " The Bride's Journey," on
the other hand, possesses a ghastly fascination. One
of the best stories, " The Money Seekers," contains
as much matter of interest as a three-volumed novel
or a five-act play. Some of the situations are capital,
and the denouement, though of a tragic nature, is
most felicitous.

The Abduction. A Tale of Mesmerism. By the
Baroness Prochazka. 3 Vas.
Less "light" and " darkness" of a yet deeper hue
characterise this mysterious tale. The lovers of ro-
mantic horrors, who mourn for the obsolete produc-
tions of the Minerva press, and the mysteries of Mrs.
Radcliffe and Horace Walpole, will greet the
Baroness Prochazka ith a hearty welcome. Her
work is a felicitous gTieciinen of its class, a class for
which we entertain little sympathy. It abounds with
murders, and mysteries, and dark prophecies, and
birds of ill omen, &c. The third volume is of a less
horrible character, and it is very skilfully invested
with considerable interest. The young daughter of
the unhappy hero and heroine of the first volume is
the subject of the " abduction," she has been
spirited away. After much difficulty her father
recovers her (as he supposes), but the reader
is bewildered by doubts as to her actual
identity. A mesmeric doctor ,and his cla!r-
royante patient throw some light upon the mysteries
by their revelations. Evincing considerable ability,
and abounding in horrors, this tale will in all proba-
bility find admirers.

Lettice Arnold. By the Authoress of "Emilia Wynd-

ham." 2 Vois.
Totally dissimilar in style and subject to the
last-mentioned tale of terror is this delight-
ful book. The perusal of anything by Mrs.
Mafsh is, to use an old metaphor, refreshing as a
ramble in the green fields in spring. This delightful
peculiarity, which pervades all her writings, is in none
more apparent than in " Lettice Arnold." Lettice
herself is a generous-hearted, cheerful-spirited
creature, somewhat resembling in character " the
dearest girl in the world," beloved by Thomas
Traddles. Catherine Melwyn also appears like
a sunbeam upon the scene. Contrasted with
these is Myra, spoiled and selfish, miserable
in herself and inflicting misery on all about
her. In the course of the story some
glimpses are thrown upon the condi-
tion of the over-tasked dressmakers, and the
benevolent Mrs. Fisher holds up a bright example
to the mistresses of large establishments. Every two
hours her hard-working stitchers are allowed a few
minutes to stretch their weary limbs—weary with in-
action ; and the increased industry consequent upon
these pauses is found to more than compensate for
the trifling loss of time. We shall not attempt to
give any inkling of the story of " Lattice Arnold,"
seeing that the charm of Mrs. Marsh's charming
tales consists more in their characters than in their
incidents, in their style than in their theme. Heartily
commending the two volumes to all who love natural
pictures, we quote the following too little heeded
truth for the benefit of these who may not meet with
" Lettice." Politeness, we are reminded, is
A charming thing in itself, and when exercised in
the dome stir relations smooths and sweetens the current
of life to an incalculable degree. It enhances the value
of a really gentle and kind temper; it softens down the
asperities of a harsh and rugged one; and to an extent,
of which many worthy people who mistake politeness
for insincerity, and think a blunt roughness of demea-

nour a warrant for the honesty and truth of their affec-
tions., seem to be little aware."

Hearts in Mortrnain, and Cornelia. 1 Vol.

Instead of spinning out one little story into three
volumes, the author of this work has given us two
delightful novelettes, in one book. " Cornelia"
abounds in incident and matter of interest, but
" Hearts in Mortmain" is, to our thinking, its su-
perior. Both tales display considerable ability, but
the first overflows with pathos. It is simple, even to
naturalness. Its curious title, "Hearts in Mort-
main," is occasioned by the incident on which the
whole story is founded. A dying father demands
from his daughter a solemn promise that she will
never marry a cousin and companion, with
whom she has been familiar from childhood.
The promise is willingly made and faithfully kept,
although soon afterwards poor Ethel has cause to re-
pent
.her ready vow. The different conduct of the
two sufferers, the resigned, self-sacrificing Ethel, and
the passionate, undisciplined Edward, is most force-
fully portrayed. The passionate wrestling of a re-
bellious heart, and the calm serenity of a self•con-
quering spirit, are most naturally and powerfully
depicted. One lesson is learned from the tears and
anguish of these sufferers—the virtue and the efficacy
of truthfulness. Ethel, acting for the best, preserves
a fatal secresy on most momentous matters,
and with a cruel kindness adds to the sorrows
she is anxious to diminish. As showing the ill-
effects of such a mistaken course "Hearts in Mort-
main" is worthy of perusal, independently of the
attractive nature of its exquisite and natural delinea-
tion of human feeling.
" Alton Locke," and some other novels, still
remain to be considered. We must defer
them until another opportunity—those already
enumerated, however, afford a fair specimen in num-
ber and variety of the novels of the last few weeks,
most of them possessing considerable attractions,
but few conspicuous for any transcendent merit.

HISTORIC SCENES AND POETIC FAN-

CIES. By Agnes Strickland.
" This volume," writes the authoress in her pre-
face, " contains my earliest literary productions,
written when the vivid feelings and perceptions of a
young heart and ardent imagination found their natu-
ral language in poetry." As such, as containing the
early writings of the authoress of " The Queens of
England," this volume possesses peculiar interest. In
its general features, and more especially in the choice
of the various subjects, we easily recognise indications
of the tastes and habits of thought of the future his.
torical biographer. Tnose romantic incidents, rendered
more romantic and more interesting from their truth-
fulness, which abound in every history, are favourite
subjects of contemplation to Miss Strickland, and
many of her " poetic fancies" are suggested by " his-
toric scenes." " Queen Mary's Welcome," " The
Escape of Mary Beatrice and her Babe," " The Part-
ing of Louis XVI. and his Family," " Sultan
Amurath's Dream," "The Earthquake of Callao," and
many other attractive themes are celebrated in verse
and illustrated by a prose description. The prose
account of " The Sister Cities of the Thames"—
London and Westminster, is full of most valuable
and interesting information regarding the early
history of •the metropolis. In addition to the
historical poems, the poetic fancies comprise subjects
of all kinds and characters, many of them very grace-
fully and exquisitely portrayed. Among the best are
pieces descriptive of the varying seasons of the year,
flowers, and other themes connected with the beauties
of nature. " The Seven Ages of Woman," in allusion
of course to Shakspere's " Seven Ages of Man," is
gracefully written, and abounds with beautiful and
womanly thoughts. The seven ages are those of
the infant, the girl, the maiden, the wife,
the mother, the widow, and the old lady.
" Night in the Metropolis" and " Morning in the
Metropolis" are the subjects of two beautiful poems.
Of a different character are the musical lines on "The
Birth of Spring" and "The Death of Summer."
Dissimilar in their subjects and in their styles, the
various poems and prose pieces here collected form a
very attractive volume, likely to be perused with
pleasure by the numerous admirers of the accom-
plished authoress. To add to these attractions, it is
graced with a portrait of Miss Strickland.