The Sun.
London, England, 1818-05-26 00:00:00

LITERARY REVIIM.

THE PASTOR'S FIRE-SIDE, a Novel, in Four Volumes.
By Miss JANE PoarEa, Author of Thaddeus of Warsaw,
Sidney's Aphorisms, and The Scottish Chiefs. Second
Edition. London : printed for LONGMAN, HURST, REES,
FORME, and BROWN, Paternoster-row.

It is wilit peculiar satisfaction we learn that

awntiiov "ettiliOn of ih'e Pastor's Fireside is about

to issue from the Press. Regarding the present
exalted state of female literature as a criterion by
which to measure the progress of civilization and
refinement, we are iLsposed to view with pride
and exultation the encouragement of fe:naie ta-
lent, more especially when that talent, directed by
exemplary 1)611(.4 les, is successfully exerted to
promote the best interests of:society.
Amongst the writers of the present age who
hjve given to fiction a serious tone, a dignified
character, Miss PottTEit must ever claim a diS•
'deignidled place. She has never stooped to the
lirodtcction of those delirious atnatory tales,
avlC'iell',under the pl %risible disguise of sentitnen-
fality, inflame the passions, •whilst they pervert
he j,idgment. Ftou4 the commencemeot of her
li-
terary carce.r, her pen has been consecrated to
the cause of. religion and virtue ; the delicacy and
dignity of the female sex has been strenuously pre-
served, and even the peculiar loveliness of the
female character exemplified in her compositions.
In Tiraddeos and Wallace she has exhibited the
most tofiching ex 'triples of heroism and magna-
nimity. In the Pastor's Fireside she has con-
tiasted the ambitious spirit, ready to sacrifice
every moral and religioos duty fir the acquisition
bf power and pre-eminctice, with that Being
terraily aspiring, but more sublime, to whom there
exists in pioliny an object still more sacred titan
glory. The ()while of this Romance (miscalled
Novel) is already !amiliar to the roblic. Two
Prench Translations have at peared of it at Paris,
and to do them justice, Messieurs the Journalists,
in their strictures, have not been sparing of pa-
negyric. For some of the incidents in this work
PonTEa has been indebted to the romantic
Adventures of RIPPERDA, but the chatacter of that
distinguished personage in all i s greatue33, and
littleness, that magnificence of geninS, that ampli-
tude of mind so fatally perverted by the thirst of
lame, the lust for dominion,—this character, at
once so splendid, so mean, so exceptionable, be-
longs exclusively to liiss Poitren, and must be
classed with the most felicitous creations of fe-
male. genius.
It is worthy of remark, that the French Jour-
nalists have been most laAish of commendation on
the domestic sketches of Mrs. CosINGSBY anti
her daughters, in other words, of the family
group assem'ded at tire Pastor's Fireside; our own
predilections wont] certainly lead us to select the
continental scenes, jocvidiug the probation of
Louis, the 'masterly delineations of the Court,
the conflicts between Ripperda and %Vitamin, and
the awful meeting between Ripperda and Louis,
which is full of pathos and dramatic interest.—
The following Extract, though not equally bril-
liant with some other passages, with a kw mas—
terly touches, developes the character of Ripperda,
fallen front his greatness, and a victim to that
despotism which, wherever it is pevanitted to
exist, must paralyse individual talent, and destroy

and gladly beard hire, discuss them, with all his former
to-
bricty of manner, and decision of command.
" But,' asked the faithful servant, ' should the Marquis
visit thie prison when we are gone, liow is he to know where
to follow you
" My actions shall proclaith to him and •to the world
ethere to follow me!' replied the Duke ; ' If he be the paYt•i-
cide these people represent, he will then repent the peuir
part 1w haft now taken ; and see the policy, if not the duty,
of being true to the fortunes of such a father. But, if these
wretches have slandered him, and he be indeed my son,—
then I will make that England, which fostered him, what I
would have turle this ungrateful, ruined country!' "

THATKICAL REGiSTEL
•
rerformfd Lest Ni -
,YUCATRE ROYAL, Duttity-LtNy..—Kim; Richard the Third :
Duive of Ciloneester, Mr. Kean; Lady Alloy, Miss Boyce.
After which, Review.
TnEATHE liOYAL, COVENT-GAlMEN.—thella: Biro'', Mr.
Young; Isabella, Miss O'Neill. Alto- Bolubastes
Furiuso. Tu which was added, Harlequin Gulliver.

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