American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-07-23
From Mrs. Cof0in's Weekly Messsngers
THE SPY;
TALE OF THE NEUTRAL GROUND.

MS is novel formed OF the most icbititndt
materials, and strictly American. The author ha
seized, with great Judgment, on scenes and Incl
dents the revo uonary war, TO weave into story
best calculated to interest the feelings OF nj
countrymen.
We have no certainty as to the writer OF thi
work; but he is evidently person of great sens
bliity, OF nice discrimination, manly sentiments
and possessed Of high powers Of description.
There is nothing in any of the Waverly novel
that excels the contents of the Spy. The Inca
ments of different characters arc therein incl
portrayed. In major Dunwoode we have brave
susceptible. and accomplished American officer 0
the year 1880; in Captain Lawton is represented
the headong vaour so common at that day ant
in sergeant HOLSTER, a union of piety, courage
and superstition, which not unfrequently charac
terizes the best soldiers in the armies Of ever,
nation In Harper are depicted the well know
hrmness, prudence and benesoIence of Washing
ton; whilst in Harvey Birch We perceive an nten-
ls,y OF patriotism and an adherence to engagement
which not even the consequent reputation ofinfamy
can shake This mysterious parsonage, from III,
period OF his introduction to that OF his death
does not fail to attract and fix the attention Of the
reader. 1t would not be difficult TO find the origi
nails OF these different portraits in the history o
the American revolutionary war. Even the base
ness of colonel Wellmere is not without auhent
city; and many native maid has been left to rue
the hour she trusted too implicitly to the artful pro
LESSONS Of the gay and decetlul foe to her country
In captain Wharton, however, whilst we condemn
the false views of the loyast. we must respect the
man; a sentiment which we cannot extend to hi:
father, whose imbecty excites both pity and con-
tempt.
The different female characters are drawn with
equal ability In Miss Peyton we recognise dis
Greet lady of the old SC lool education and polite
ness; in Miss Sarah Wharton we find pride AID
vanity which lead her to prefer foreign officer en-
gagged against her country, wi h artificial manners
and courtly foppery, to the re dilute, sincere and
generous American; and were not for her beauty
and msfortunes. she would be object of positive
dislike. The pictured image OF the lovely Frances
is beyond all praise. Every thing about her is
natural and chat Mig, and if the author of the
spy has sometimes placed her in situations not
exactly corresponding with the delcacy Of her sex,
she is, nevertheless, always sustained by worthy
motive. Isabella Singleton is peculiar female
placed in strong light We receive
and lose her with mingled emotions of esteem, ad
nration and regret.
In glaring contrast with these ladies' are placed
Kitty Haynes and Betty Flanagan; the former an
example OF grea' prudence, as to pecuniary affairs
n the important business of matrimony, deemine
hat man the most 'despisable' for husband, who
las the least of wealth about him whilst Betty
flanagan, though too frequently swayed BY her
drop OF the cratur, present, to our mind the
mage of shrewd, good hearted, careless follower
II the camp; fond Of joke, a ID with true Irish
eart though Of low degree, ready to serve those
distress, and deeply smitten with Sergeant HoI-
lister.
The cow-boys and SINNERS are painted in their
genuine colours.
Caesar Thompson fills niche in the groupe of
he Wharton family with considerable interest,"
lis fidelity is not over-drawn. II was often ex-
mplided, during our struggle for independence, by
he blacks
DR.. Si'greaves, with his lights Of SCIENCE and
is apprehension of Jack Lawtons troopers for their
'orlal sabre cuts thereby afordng no opportunity
Ut the exhibition OF his surgical art, relieves the
lore gloomy and tragical pats of the narrative
There are some impurities OF language, and one
TWO forced incidents, in this novel; but, on the
hole, 1t is work Of which our countrymen, and
ountrywomen too, ought to be proud And the
which it has received is credtabIe
the sound sense and good taste of the community.