Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-22

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realities, they are entirely erroneous. But this l
have conceded quite FIR necessary, fancy and
bction. Let us first trace then, the most uniupor-
tant errors of this kind.
Old Fitzroyal, the iordly proprietor Of" Edge Eillr
was first married to lady Of wealth and family fac
cordng to the distinctions OF that day) in his own
neighborhooa. BY her he had three sons and one
taaghter. The eldest son took the Royal side with
the father IN the luton and accepted command
IN the British army; but, az he returned after the
var to his native State. and reared up respectable
and amiable family, who should be repraached,
and who cannot be stained by the Of the father
l shall pass him by without further comment, than
merely to justify myself for painting and things
In their true colors, they really existed.
The second son of old Fitzroyal was fat Jolly and
worthy farmer, ignorant and dull without sufficient
industry or energetic carry him once year into his
tarm lie could direct the roasting Of shell drake
(which then abounded james rver to the best pos
STOLE advantage: and then assist most adroitly and in
the best possible style, in buryiug it with all the no.
SoTs o. oa 'h which he took other part, in hos
pitnbc bottle OF wine with any gentecl visitor who
favored him with his company.
The third son OF old Pitzroyal entered the revolu-
tionary army, the American sdc at the very COM
tneneement in IT'S or s, Lieutenant Colonel of
cavalry, and served to the cud Of the war; discharpnw
his duty faithfully, gallantly and honorably in com
mon with his brother officers but without ever dis.
tingulstng himself particularly, or ever being pro
NOTED IN all that time; und therefore, the picture
drawn Of Charles FtZroynl can have no application
TO him, ia true historical revolutionary sense
Old Ftzroyal lost his first wife at toleraby early
period OF Lille, and married again maiden lady of
mercantile connexions in Philadelphia said to be at
tached to the British side of the cause She was n
female possessed of most extraordinary powers of
Inind and therefore, does not answer in Single par
cular Except in pocs to the character of the sly
pulled up aristocrat widow EASTWOOD with her still
more concerted daughter Cornelia By this last mar
riage,old FitZroyal had one and four daughters;
some ofthe last of whom partook much of the men
fal qualities of their mother and were :ray a,niable
AID valuable. Ftzroyal died himself about the wear
ITS or Sat any rate very early in the revolution
and therefore could not have been all actor in the
scenes of 1881, set forth in the novel
But these again may readily be conceded to The Ii
cenccs Of fancy and fiction. What apology is to be
made however, for tie garing Misrepresentation in
Solemn matters of fact which 60 TO take from come
ao positive possession of merits, and from others GER
tam dement's and placing them the brows Of 9th
ets! And above all, what is to DE thought in other
countries of the POLITICAL the military and literary
character OF our country, the dclineations of Edge
Ali are TO be resortcd to III these particulars? It
gas to overhaul and correct such i,nortant and in
jurious these, induced to take un my
PEN and not to take from the author any the cedt
of the beautios of his fancics or his ic,iops with
which arm still highly pleased.
This historical and important pay. OF the novel
think, opens with the eleventh chapter, aud continues
nearly, If not entirely throughout. When had
read 1t through Twas near throwing the book into
large coal fire before which was then sitting it
being of the coolest days ofthe then passing win
Ter, and OF course needing other chilling appIca-
TONS Having recovered however, little, from this
sudden and entire stagnation of all the mental ami
nations and cheerngs with which the forctaste OF
fancy and fiction had inspired me, exclaimed invo-
funtary, Heaven preserve INV devoted country if Its
political, It's military and literary character de-
pended Oh such miserable trash for its fouu-
dations! miserable group of tories traitors
and British vulturcs seeking to elut themselves at
u sumptuous private board, form the whole ar
ray on the part of Great Britain; two Africans with
their negro dialogues, and two bows lust from Col
icge, fired with patriotic zeal and burninr for battle
Ia theTcountry S cause, compose the foundation on
which to be erected and built up the resiscitaion
OF the American cause then sunk to one Of its very
lowest Gibbs Of desperation.
Philips and the traitor Arnold are here scIn in very
social and harmonious command together: whereas
II was understood i'll the American army at that dav
that the former when he took command of the British
army at Petersburg, decided TO his great credit moi
10 permit the latter TO hold command under him
and sent him on board the shipping where it was un.
Hcrstood he stad til conveyed to England in the pri
r:Ieged vessel stipulated for in the capulation q.
York. This justice is deemed due 10 an honorable
and deceased enemy.
tntermlEcd again with these errors and ill-drawr
Actions the thus annoyed reader presently find,
something the score of fancy and natural charae
erto cheer his hopes and encourage him to read on
Inc love scene between Charles Fitzroyal aud Ruth
Gilmore at their nurses cabin, is natural delicate ton
DER and truly interesting; and the plot there concei
we'd and most Ingcnlnusly carried on by the vaiuous
housekeeping Monteagie was ingeniously and wei
Kept up by the author in the fitness OF all their parts
and the chaste and classic elegance Of the whole
Ftyic; Bot here again comes another historical part
which as it relates to the revolution is much to In
iamcnted.
Charles repairs Immediately after this cabin scene
+oLafayettcs head quarters in Richmond, and accepts
= comets command in the cavalry, and in very feu
Gays achieves miracles, such not SURPASSED
oy the veteran partizans Coloncs w. Washinrion
H. Lee, and d. Morgan, after five years experience
IN hard fighting. The cornet Fitzroyal is soon made
the great and conpcuous hero oftho revolutions be-
gins to turn the fate of war; RECEIVERS our sinking
cause, and thence throws all the other heroes ant
lenders in the revolution, who had fought so long
into the shade Of military forgetfulncss! Is this am
thing ike the correct history? Are the conclusions
and effects IN reality, to be drawn from such crtone-
G'l paintings, to be justified under the greatest In
duNgenccs and allowances TO be made for fiction an,
fancy even2
Another error in character and fact is IN no f,,n,