Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-29
From tae Philadelphia Album.
EDGE HILL.


Gus rank OF rediocrite. And whether il survives 20
undergo second edition, closes an cphemeral cy
istcnco with the that gave il birth will proba
bly, De made to depend something its authors sue
ccssfa or disastrous cxerons hereafter i'm the fields
OF polite and elegant literature. The public capno,
be satisfied with tho solitary work of a pen which
has given them so ich qualification from series OF
private incidents so closely interviewer with some
PROMINENT historical events, iii the infancy of this
country. They will demand continuation of those
ooours, rescrving to themselves tho power of besow
lug deserved honor and literary distinctions upon his
subsequent efforts, or of blasting any reputation
which the present work may have procured him. So
Intimately connected all the attempts of the lite
gary adventurer, to attain Immortality, that he
must hazard previous distinctions rest contcntcd
with an exclusion rom the Temple of Fame.
The scene of "Edge-Iiilr' is laid principally OIL
the banks Of the "air and delightful" Powhatan en-
bracny. however, the entire limits of TINT part of the
State OF Virginia, which constituted the theatre OF
the ravagng incursions of 'rarleton. CORVALLIS and
other British officers The date of the Story has
been happily sen--comnencing near the close oi
che war, which resulted in this country independence
and combining itself to few of the latest military
transactions in that eventfn struggle. few more
years aud tho interesting incidents of that period of
aprivatc nature which are not grave enough for the
sober historians page, If not preserved in the light
strain OF the novelist must escape the hand of trad
tion-as the small band 10 whom they are now spe-
cialy known, will very make that transition
which has, or must pass alike all, that ever put Oh
the robes of mortality.
It is not designed to give in detail the Story, a.
justice To the author well other considerations
make impossible that the incidents Of the Tale can
DC properly understood appreciated without view
ing them i'll the arrangement and style of the narrn
tor The only material defect in the tenor of Edge
Till, Is the eciaircisSenient, which we think mGht
nave been more happily executed, If the prolxtv of
the last chapter had been somewhat curtailcd No
thing, perhaps, leaves pleasant impression ON
the reader mind, than the feeling hich arises from
ungratihed curiosity. Throughout the whole work
the necessary developments OF an inferior nature
that are constantly flashing on the fancy with the
sudden brilancy Of the suns rays when ojimmer-
nag morn chases before it the vapors of 'sabe vest
cd night, arc enough to enchan the attention if the
general contour of the story insufficient. Ia
expostons Of this kind, which are necessary 10 com
duct the story with proper cearness TO be Ineligible
10 all, this work, more than most fctions abounds
One OF these which had powerful influence on our
selves, was the timely, though sudden rescue of Ruth
Elmore from the consrant and suffering imposed on
her by the superiority cunning and proflgate Albert
Monteagle, and the no less obsequious and dcrra-
ded jacques.
The style of edge Hill" is more distinguished
rats propriety and accuracy, than for elevation of
thought, or brlliancy OF expression. In the former
perhaps equals any of the novels OF Sir Walter
Scott, and far surpasses OF his later works
which IN this respect are extremely naccuratc.-
Tins characteristic of his style might have been We
~ confidently expected from the precision and ncGu-
racy ofthe reputed authors habits, in the transuc
ticn Of the business OF the Office fo now holds under
the government of his state If the highest ds;inc-
tions Of style cannot be accorded TO this production
u impossible to deny it those properties OF good
one, which will constitute small share the claim
il may yet offer, TO live with the ictons OF Scott and
Cooper. Though never in the least degree ford
yet tits not without proper establishment; always
chlste, without aifectatioD feebleness; uniform
but not dull Before we dismiss the consideration
Of the style of these Volumes we will hazard the co.
neral remark, that its ease, beauty ard propriety
will have considerable influence on public opinion,
in establishing its popularity if it lad no other
claims to celebrity. But besides the execution, the
vork owes much of It's interest to It's historical de-
tails, which very probably will contribute more 10
It's standing than the qualities given to It by tie IN
vention Of the author.
The characters which the author or "E3n:liili''
las attempted to delineate are generally drawn with
as much skill commonly attends the composers OF
novels romances. The pcrsonGges OF his story
iare, without exception, such are either real 70
whom 1t would have been impossible without dan
ecrous invasion of the historaps province to attri
butte any thing supernatural extraordinary; O.. c-
itous, yet excluded from that romantic Ut supcrna-
rural turn of character which awakcns that wild su
pcrstiton which attaches less to every mind.
even in the most perfect state of civilization
There are no characters in the work who, from the
incertitude OF their appearance, or their magical in
reference in almost every tr0nsacton, like Norma
of FitSntLIead and Madge WildGre OF Sir Walter
or Job Pray Of Cooper can impose such an over
whclniing restraint Il reader attention.
. No one who has any acquaintance with the militia
w exploits Of Tarleon. but must be- cnrarturcd with
ibc character he has drawn of that intrepid, vcngc
tni, and malignant parti2an warrior. We would also
consider that mind nsensiblc 10 the choicest plea
eurcs Of literature, and that taste not without vita.
tou which can obtain brt little delight from the con-
trasted characters of Ruth Elmore and Harriet vii.
ton. Ope of whom displayed in every vici5stude OF
atI ever changing fortune, mind
--"Unsaiu'd and pure,
AS is the lily, or the mountain snow
and tic other, though the decetfil Smiles of wealth
and ancestry were hers by birth, disdaiuing their
fa;thIcss promises, she relied for happiness the
;yore solid foundation Of bencvolence and virtue,
Than on
--''the pOmp Of dress; Tor luvclrcys
Ncctl}uot tho foreign all of ornament,
Biu is wien una, lorned adorned the most"
We cannot conclude these very hasy and iIapnr-
feet critical observations, without wishing the author
Of "Edge- Hill" speedy re-appcnrance before the
public, to which he has given so much delight.
The following is general estimate Of tic losses
sustained nv the English Army under the command
Of Lord Wellington. from the time Of his appoint
1nent TO il in Portugal until peace.