The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-21 00:00:00

i4AI-7r -7Ti

The Prince of Wales, attended by Lord Alfred
Harvey, General Sir W. Knollys, the Hon. C. L.
Wood, and Maj.r Teesdale, arrived at Marlborough
House yesterday afternoon, from Templenewsam,
near Leeds.

The Princess of Wales drove out yesterday after-
noon, attended by the Countess of Macclesfield.

LITERATURE•

Work a-day Briars. In Duce Vols. Richard
Bentley.

The motto of this work is taken from " As You
Like It" (rather an inappropriate source, by the
way, for such a sentiment!) —" How full of briars
is this work-a-day world !" Full of briars, indeed,
was the world as George Langhorne found it--
oriars that in their day, it is true, bore some tren-
•iient blossoms of love and happiness, ephemeral as
the wild roses of the hedge side, but the blossoms
eparteil and the briars remained. Aaiong the
very numerous works which have already come be-
fore us during this year, we do not remember all
me in which we have felt so much interest, or in
which we have found so much to commend and to
admire, as this story of " Work-a-day Briars." It
is not a sensational novel in any degree, its interest
is of a far deeper and more genuine descrip-
tion, being excited by the truthfulness of the
characters who take part in its scenes, the
simple earnestness with which the tale itself is told,
and the many touches of nature—those touches
which " make the whole world kin," which again
and again occur in the course of the narrative, and
which evoke the tenderest emotions of the reader.
rile epoch selected for the story is about the cool'
:nencement of the present century, and the
scene is chiefly laid in the little coun-
try town of Claywich. The family of the
Aldersons, wealthy bankers, who have for
ti considerable period held a prominent position in
hat town, divide our interest with those of Colonel
Fosbrooke and Squire Langhorne. Col. Fosbrook
has been reckless and extravagant, and he only
holds possession of his estate during the good plea-
sure of Mr. Alderson. Squire Langhorne is a very
good-natured, well-meaning old gentleman, quite
unqualified to superintend his own affairs or
govern his large, undisciplined family. Big
wife, who had died before the commencement of
the tale, had been the real ruler of all
and everything, and on her death household and
estates go to wreck and ruin under the no-rule
of a roi faineant. Such is the state of affairs when
George Langhorne, the_second son, returns from col-
lege. George is clever and ambitious, working hard
to distinguish himself at the University and gains
a position in life ; he inherits his mother's love of
order and skill in administration, and he sets about
the herculean task of reform. The character of George
Langhorne is very forcibly revealed during the strug-
gles and sacrifices which he voluntarily undergoes.
He examines the steward's books and discovers gross
frauds in the accounts, and with great difficulty he
persuades the easy, good-natured Squire to call the
defaulter to a reckoning. The steward, while he is
disconcerted by these discoveries, which he explains
away as best he can, almost forgets his own ex-
posure in admiration at " the 'cuteness of Master
George." Master George discovers, however, like
many another reformer, that it is easier to make
enemies than friends. While at college he has
imbibed strong Whig opinions, and appears in his
native town to the indignation of many old friends in
the blue coat and buff waistcoat, the party costume of
the day, of which the Edinburgh Review is still
dying memento. Unfortunately for the young
politician Mr. Alderson is a staunch Tory, and Mr.
Alderson's fair daughter, the charming Cecilia, is
the object of George Langhorne's deep devotion
We must not linger too long over the details of the
story, which we shall only spoil by endeavouring
to analyse. Oar readers cannot do better than learn
:orthernselves how youngLanghorne at election time
working with his accustomed determination, gain
favour with his party, and is appointed sec e Lry to
the Minister, and then, being in a position to cl
his bride, formally demands the f Lir Cecilia of her
father. In those days party feeling was as intense
almost as religion. Whig and Tory were then eo
empty appellations—
" Like fabled gods, their mighty war
Shook realms and nations in its jar."
Mr. Alderson, whose character as a politician and a
father is admirably well drawn, refuses Langhorne's
suit on account of his political opinions, and the
rejected lover then boldly informs him that he shall,
under these circumstances, take the daughter with-
out the consent of the father. Cecilia Alderson is,
as we have said, a very charming character. In
her early girlhood she is full of graceful co-
quetry, and reigns supreme over a host of
lovers ; but the realities of life too soon make
themselves manifest ; the briars thicken about
her path. When her lover pleads his cause
in opposition to her father's wishes, she hesitates,
and then herself reveals all to her father, and ink'
plores him, if after the lapse of years, to reconsider
his decision. " Not while he remains a Whig,''
exclaims the staunch Tory; " let him give up biS
political opinions." " 'rhea I should no longer
love him," replies the true-hearted maiden. We
will not reveal the fair damsel's decision. We
may only add that the interest of the story remains
unabated till the last. The scene in Mr. Temple-
ton's drawing-room, when the Secretary is insulted
by the Minister's son, is very effectively described.
The character of Lord Templeton is good, and so to
its way is that of the son, who owes his seat mainly
to George Langhorne's influence and exertions.
strong will and a resolute purpose can do much, but
they cannot do all things, they cannot over-rule the
laws of nature, and so the hero of this story finds to
his cost. We may break down the briars in our pats
with a rough hand, it is true, but in so doing We
may chance to scatter and destroy the roses.
Very tenderly, and with a simple pathos
that appeals to the heart, is the close of
one episode of this story told. We have said
nothing of Hugh Alderson, and Maggie INPLeodi
his betrothed, and Lavinia Fosbrooke, his beloved,
whose histories are interwoven with those of George
Langhorne and Cecilia, and who claim a fair shard
of interest and attention. We have said enough
to assure all who may be in quest of a book that 10
both pleasant and profitable to read and to re'
member that they cannot do better than turn to
these " Work-a-day Briars "—the most delectable
Briars they are likely to encounter in many a long
Day's Work.