Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-05-25
IrOm TIE RnLiimnrc Pntrint-


We have read with equal diligence and salts fac
'tIon the two volumes of sSwALLow BARN, or n SO.
jourm in the old Donnion,"-a sort of "Sketch-
BOOK as the title imports, Of Virginian manners
and scencry but i'll fact series of pictures after
human nature. with many pleasant sketches ofland-
scape lnterspcrscd. The writer is az excellent
painter, we'll as humorous observer of life and
manners. Mr.. MARK LlrrLEToN announces him
self as the author, in a playful and amablc dedica
ton 10 Mr. WRIT.
This Mr.. Littleton seems 10 he Il gentleman Of
whose locomoton and whose marriage his friends
had begun equally 10 despair 4 man will often
travel, however, when he will not marry; and Mr..
bIttleton, accordlnglv lis moved by the solicitation
and tho satire of Virginia cousin,-Ncd Hazard,
as he is tamary called i'll these adycnturcs,-to
leave the snug adaptations" of his home on tho
hudson, for voyage friendly and picturesque to
the ancient seat of the Hazards, venerable man.
sion on the james river, and the Identical Swallow
Barn which furnishes name to his Volumes
Here, whether inspired by the good cheer of that
hospab!c region, or melted by the natural alacrity
OF his genius, painter adjusts his pallet, and be-
gins to sketch with wonderful vivacity the scenery
the PcrsonageS, and the incidents of Virginia coun-
try life. lie has fine turn for the humorous a
great knack at catching the characteristic, and an
equal talent of discrimination; and So in the course
OF short time, wo become very well acquainted
WIN all his pcrsonages,-as various, natural, and
yet original IA group we have lately seen brouph
together i'll the 'Sccct circles of fiction.
There is Mr.. Francis Merlwcthcr, Il substantial
planter, most respectable and courteous gentle
man, and great admircr of Virginia for whose lo-
he feels bound tn uphold state rights and i'm.
prove the breed of her horses. only cousin Iucrc.
tla,"--Alrs. Mcriwcthcr,-is uncxcoptiOnab
model ola wife, who stakes her reputation her de-
TncstIc economy is withal "thcrapcuica in her con.
bitutloD," and rises early to administer "doath-rout
ing decoctions" to the youngsters. Ned Hazard is
new and droll specimen of a lovcr,--wiose effect
SIC shall be curious to know upon lady readers; and
mr. Chub' the family tutor is a queer miracle OF
ms own sort. Then there is Harvey Riggs, with
ms odd, subducd humor; and MIR. Philly I'VE beg
hIs pardOD,) Mr.. Philpot Wart the foxhunting coun
ty-court lawyer, such character every body has
seen, though one has thought of painting him
before. We cannot find general cpithets descrp.
tive Of the lady.aclors in tho scenc,-thc romantic
Prudence, the placid CIthatinc, and the thought
lees yet fanciful Bell The two last, by the way
are the daughters of Mr.. Isaac Tracey, d neigh
bourlng proprietor, long engaged in lawsuit with
the MorIwethcr family, the history of which law
suit, and Of the freak of ''my great-uncle," Mr.
Walter Hazard, in which it had it's origin is no
bad specimen of the humors and quidditcs OF Mr.
Walter Shandy. Of the subordinate characters
Mike Brown the merry blacksmith, and the mis-
chlevous urchIn, Kip, have very particular twang
of originality.
A chain Of light incident connects and deyelopes
these characters. Our author has not aimed at a
novel or plot; but Ned Hazard and Bel Tracey
are, we presume, the hero and heroine; and every
fair and romantic reader will compassionate the
heroine who, with most sentimental penchant
for prOUC chcrdi'cr had inyeterate lester fox
lover, who puns in the very act Of declaration, and
actually laughs when upon his knees.
"Was ever woman in this humor woodl
Was ever woman in this hunor wen7"
AS 10 the latter point, we must not anticipate tho
catastrophe.
In contrast with the light and humorous sketches,
which, with some charming descriptive writing,
compose these two agreeable volumes, is the story
OF Abe, very melancholy tale, told wnh great vi
gor. We are much mistaken If the style of this an.
thor does not meet with particular commentator.
as rich, racy and easy and especially distinguished
by ITS pluyfulneSs. 1t scarcely ncccssar To saw
of writer who discrminatcs his characters so per.
fectly, that his dialogue is cminenuy happy