Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-02-09
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9. 1882.

s. Eugeae fran, By the author Of Pelhom.-We
noticed in a brief paragraph yesterday that this
novel had been published in England, and is ex-
pected here shortly. 1t will doubtless attract
general attention. In the mean time. we devote
i portion of our columns to the following review
and extracts from the work, given by the Litera-
~ Review:
Eugene Aram is, if we may use such 4 term, a
miser OF The mind-one who accumulates gold,
not as a means. but as a possession-one who &C
ouires knowledge, of which the mere acquisition
is TO be its own =. exceeding great reward"
We know few things more touching than the
following confession. wrung in a moment Of pain
from the lips Of the solitary student:
-. Ah!' said Aram, sently shaking his head,
lit is a lite we bOokmen lead. Not for US Is the
bright face of noon day, or the smile of woman.
the gay unbrnd'ng of the heart. the neishhns
steed and the shr,li uump.-th the pride, pomp and
circumstance Of life. Our enjoyments are few
aud calm, our labor constant; but that, is II not,
sir?-,haat. is it not:-the body avenges its own
neglect. We grow old before our time-we wi.
tber up-the sapof youth shrinks from our veins
there is no bound in our step. We look about
US with dimm. d ewes, and bur breath grows short
aud thick, and pains ard coughs and shooting
AGNES COtnc uDOU u - at tiShN- 70 u oftk ttCs q
bitter life-a ioyless life would 1 had never
commenced it. And yet the harsh world scOwls
upon us-our nerves are broken. and they won
der we are queruious-nar blood curdles, aud
thew ask why we are rot gay-Our brain grows
Dizzy aud indistinct, las with me just now; and.
Struggling their shoulders, they whisper their
neighbours that we are mad. wish | had worked
at the plough. and known sleep, and loved mirth
-ani-and not been what | am"
In a narrative whose unity is so dramatic, il is
diff ult 10 make a quotation, without its being
either unconnected or iudislinct; but perhaps the
following scene, between Aram and the wretch-
ed mau yho threatens him with al accusation.
will display a part. wshout revealing the whole:
"'it is not easy for either Of US TO deceive the
other. We are men. whose perceptions u life Of
danger has sharpensd upon all points: | speak to
yoG frankly. for disguise is unayailing. Though
| can fy from YOUR reach-thoush | can desert
INV present home and my intended bride, | would
fam think | have free aud secure choice to pre-
serve that exact path and scene Of life which |
have chalked out for myself woul,l fain be rid
ct all apprehension from Won There are two
ways only by which this security can be won:
the first is through your deatb-nay, start not,
nor put your hand on your pistol; YOU have not
nov cause to fear me. Had | chosen that method
q! escape. | couid have effected it long since
When, months ago, YOU slept under M roof-ay.
stpt-what should have hiudered me from stab
bins YOU during the slumber? Two nights since.
when INV blood was up. and the fury upon me.
what should have prevented me tightening the
grasp that you so resent, and laying you breath.
less al NV feet? Nav. now, though you keep
your eve fixed on nv motions, and your hand up
on Your weapon, YOU would be no match for a
desperate and resolved man. who might as well
peri>h in conflict with YOU as by the protracted
accomplishment of your threats. Your ball
might fail-(even now | see your hand trembles)
-n,ne, If SO will it, is certain death. No.
Housemsn; it would be as vain for your eve to
scan the dark pool into whose breast yon cataract
casts its waters, as for your intellect to pierce
the depths Of my mind and motives. Your muir
der. though in selfdefence, would lay a weight
upon my soul, which would sink it forever: |
should see in your death new chances of detec-
tion spread themselves before me-the terrors of
the dead are not to be bought or awed into ST.
lence; 1 should pass from one peril into another;
and the laws dread vengeance might fall upon
me, through the last even vet more surely than
through the first. Be composed, then, on this
point! From my hand, unless YOU urge it mad |
ly upon yourself, YOU arr wholly safe. Let US
turn to my second method Of attaining secu.
rity. Ii lies, not in your momentary cessation
from prosecutions: not in your absence from this
spot alone; YOU must quit the country-you
mus, never return to- it-your home must be cast.
and sour very grave dug. in a foreign soil. Are
you prepared tor this? IL not, | cen say no
more; aud | again cast myself passive into the
Of fate You ask said Houseman. whose
tears were allayed by Aram's address. though.
al the same time, hi, dlssolute aud desperate ma
ture was subdued and tanned in spite of himself.
the very composure OF the Ioftisr mind with
which it was brought in contract-'You ASK
said he. no tri6ing favor of a man-to desert
his country fnrever: but | am no dreamer, TO love
one spot better than another. should, perhaps.
prefer a foreign cline, as the safer aud the freer
from old recollections, il 1 could live in it as a
man, Who loves the relish of life, should do
Shew ne the advantages | am to gain By exile.
an,l farewell to the pale cliffs Of England ~forever!!'
Your demand is JUST answered Aram; '~listen,
| am willing to coin all my poor wealth,
ave alone the baresf plttance wherewith to sus-
ain life: nav. more. | am prepared aIso to melt