The Sun.
London, England, 1826-05-26 00:00:00

LITERATURR.

WILLIAM. DOWILAS ; or, the Scorn-ex Emirs; a Historical
Nova : ' 3 VW. 12mo. London and Edinburgh, 1826.
TJae Listorierd novel is a species .of composition, we
iniiit alincistss.y, invented in the present age ; at all
events raised to at unprecedented rank in the scale'of
literature. And whew we look at thnnxtraordinary
eminence of one,greater writer in thii'department, it
is not surprising that many others, should appear to
occupy but inferior statioas,. who under any ordinary
circumstances would be regarded as having carried
this species of writing ter!„ very high perfection.
Scottish history has been singularly fertile in events
of romantic character, alfordiug the finest possible
s.ubjectst for the pen of the novelist ; and one period
especially has produced an abundant supply of mate-
rials to several successive writers—the times of the Co-
venanters under Charles 11. and his brother. And
when we should have imagined every topic exhausted,
and the character of the opposing parties put in every
possible/ light by the'narratives of Old Mortality and
flingan Gitliaize, we now find -a third writer rise up,
with new variations upon the same portion of history,
in the work before 'us; and . in being thus irresistibly
led to view this tale in juxta-position with the two for-
mer, we cannot but confess that its merits are in a.great
degree eclipsed. The author,. or rather authoress
(for we conceive it bears strong' internal evidence of
proceeding from a female pen), will, we trust, not feel
any degradation in being ranked as inferior to the
author of the tales just named ; but it is an inferiority
only in a single degree—we, even somewhat hesitate
as to the preference of Riagan Galhaize. We dislike
the last named work, from its excessive leaning
to one side ,of the queStion. The charm of
the Waverley school is, to us, its impartial and
unsparing representation of, both parties. The tale
befere us exhibits a strong partiality for the oppressed
Covenanters, whilst it allovs no redeeming virtues to
. the prelatical party. This sort of partiality some
readers may, however, not think a fault, and we mere-
ly state our critical opinion, without expecting any-
' thin like general assent, when we maintain, that a
good novelist, like a good historians ought to be of no
country, of no party, and of no particular sect of
religion. This last topic is, much introduced in the
-volumes before us—so much so, ,that it might almost
come under the designation of what is termed a re-
ligious novel : perhaps this will be td many readers a
recommendation.
As to the story, we uhalrriot deal so unfairly, either
with the writer or the readers, so as to let the latter
too much into it. It may suttee them to knew, that
the narrative, in the first instance, depicts, with much
force, the situation of the persZeihed. COvenanters, and
she oppressions to which they Were subjected by the mi-
litary. A rising of the party,,with all its incidental oc-
currences, is described with great spirit, and the long
series of misfortunes to which a 'prescribed family
are subjected, is worked up With. much pathos and
effect. Their religious constancy in suffering and
banishment supports them under every trial, whilst
-the oppressors are painted in the Most odious colours.-
The conclusion is of course brought about 'by their
restoration ; the resuscitation of. those supposed to
have been dead : and the revival of old acquaintances
under new names, with a proper share of marriages,
cleuring up of family mysteries,' &n.' all being wound
up and cemented by the glorionS Itevolutton,, the
landing of the Prince of Orange, and the eternal ces,
. exaon of all persecution. Upon the whole the story-
will, we think, be found to possess a considerable'lle-1"
fires of
_interest.. Perhaps in some ef. its,• dttails
complicated, and in sonar of its incidents ivy.;
probable ; but the general effeWis certainly that of a
iiiternst. As to the delineation ofcliariiiielWe do not think
the writer has been particularly siieeniiful;- the general.
representation of the indiviclualls {certainly such that'
we recognize it thrOughout, but welook in vain for
-those nicer touches and shades...'a -discrimination, • iVhich setae perception and 644.0i'v".410. nof hitman
nature supplies. The rominent failing is, that some'. of the characters are faultless, and era have.
virtues.• .

In the representation given of tile' sevaral parties,
and their principles, something of the_saine defects
1110.1 be traced'; the Covenanters are—clesigned• to be
placed in the most favourable, light, and-the writer en-
deavours to draw a marked distinction- liEtWeen•a, smell
party of fanatical zealots, Whir are adinitted to
be turbulent and seditious, and whose principles
are subversive, of all established ...institutiOns,
and a 'body' of quiet well•disposed • Presbyterianstoo frequently confounded by .tbelf..eiietract
the ultra-zealots, .but •by no metVEL deserv'ing any
of the censure heaped. upon. tbein ~The family of
Exiles is represented to be of this .elass:•• Their send-
•anenta are• exiiihited as a pattern of (;hritian purity,
humility, and resignation ; whilst their., c9iistaney and
loyalty are elevated into absolute hilroisto: Chir 9Wil
idea of this picture is, that it is one which we fear
.the real condition of human nature, and the te3timonof y
history, will hardly warrant. The opinions ascribed
'to some of the principal characters are such as belong
to a more refined and liberal age, andmuchas wo believe
could harrllyshave existed at the period inqtiestion. The
i
distinction between sincere conviction' n the innid of
the individual, and the conviction: that all wilt). do' not
agree in the same .beli9f must be wrong, is one which
IL IN the peculiar province of a high. .degree of intel-
lexitual civilization •to point, out. We .are far from
meaning to deny that there *as among.the persecuted
party a very large share of,r~eallyfeelingAnd
exenplary piety ;' but we imagine it. was rarely corn-
-I,inOd with such enlighted ideas as are here repro-
anted.
, •
The prelatical and aristocratical party, on the other
knif, am' here held up as nothing but compounds sof
all that is vicious and disgracaul: 'Thee-agents and
f'unri.icanaries'of the government are destitute of all
virtues; and die episcal Clergy sunk in ignorance
Lure.
aii(l vice. again op
surely: 4i eiaggerated pie-
The descriptive powers
advanta oftbe
t writer arts displayed !
a-cousiderable ge in; the dolineatioo of scenery,
as well as ill bringing before ,10 the active representa
t 'en .of events.
Ile following extract ill illustrative of the author's
tai.rA describing natural scenery : • ,
wrist eataar tor my visitati4A.o))4 i hold iii,N,VegAtagiot,AßK.
Nthrotto runt sarow ottort,
yg tip Viola" elyzeap) tox grx4l)tiot:«44lAlurisPßA
// Next:morning the yeees,gris;gn aet off on his new di%tinatita:
vs, riiseveted spirits. It WAN as
)491iglitftil day in the //ninth of
Arty. Ito light dotid4 Ikee idoWly moving over tit/ikon of, the
sin, and tasting thek ?road shadow,: on the stirrtundi.og scenery.
tby Oyer i mpg gontfill, whoil cateramulad the
sad the whale, went of bat/oat:Hy variegated cat/very in alumat
diresiell; flu ionic& DellaonAha 4es/44:Wag leaving, and
4le nit wittlotit,ernotigol 04. diatom. m ountaioo his Ha-
Sits lits4.4ingyitiliceptige, ntinghng
,of

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