Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-11-13
Review OF New Rocks.


NICHOLAS NIcKLEBy, BY DIcKINs, complete in
one col. Wiley & Putnam, N. Y.-At length,
Boz has completed his fourth work, and the en-
terprsing publishers have got it out in volume,
at very reasonable price, considering the quantity
OF matter which il contains. We do not regard this
as his best performance, by any means although,
without doubt, ii contains many masterlv sketches,
| and has been the vehicle of exposing much of the
wickedness which has been practise from time inn
memorial in the education of children. We re-
gard the character OF Squccrs, next totha Of Pick
wick certain proof til at their author possessed
genius Of the very highest order w e do not think
any novel in the English language, except perhaps,
f0m jones' TO be more true to nature than the Pick
wick papers, Oliver Twist and the work now before
us. They prove that Dickins has lived among
and women not mere gentle folks and literary dan
dies. He has gone abroad into the great school for
the dramatst and the writer OF cton-to the places
where truths abound, and where the realities Of life
speak with sepuchral voice Of the miseries that
exist throughout all the haunts Of civilized 1t
is in the hospitals, in the midst of disease when
the cammy hand Of death lays finger on the pulse
Of its victim and the rattle gurgles in the throat
the poor house and the prison. when despair lays
clasp on the hearts Of the inmates and bids them
acknowledge
"'Ts something better not to be-"
that the writer of novels must take his lesson and
graduate, he intends 10 teach truths severe in fairy
fiction dres't." Dickens has pursued this course,
and hence his success in depicting scenes which
come at once hsme to the hearts OF mankind.
The conclusion of this novel 10 not to liking,
but many had been manufactured for the author,
finale order to avoid of the adaptators who
thought TO anticipate his disposition Of the dramas
persona. 8M
M,x's MATE, BY RUrUs DAWES. j. CoInan, NeV
York. This is novel from the pea Of very popu-
lar writer, and is founded on very interesting
epoch in the early history Of the state Of New Eng
land, ammo. 1859. The hero is sort of romantic
young sailor, half patriot and half pirate who finds
lot Of sunken treasures, fights government vessel
beats her Of coursc-commits a number of piracies
and murders, and among his other doings, attacks
/ fux
tleman in single combat, and gives his body to the
Of Davy Jones in the most original stJ lie imagin
able The old gentleman, who met his death by the
his day He had abandoned the mother Of the hero
"to die alone, or to sink to premature decay in the
| arms Of one Of his minons-a low, drunken keeper
this fellow to sscape from his brutalties, and is
found BY her son. his return from his first trip to
| sea, in damp cellar, and dies in his arms. The
scene of her death bed is very eloquently depicted,
and 10 perhaps the best told incident in the book.
Then there is sort Of Indian cnchantress, called
Mameoke, who lives in the Swallows Cave down by
night and one Of the officers attached to the vessel
under the command Of the hero Of the tale having
been induced to visit the cave OF this lady fine
moon light night made such fierce love 20 her. that
she was compelled to knock his brains ont with an
iron mace. Between this lady and the hero there
10 sort Of mysterious which is not entire
convicted piracy just the Bastonisns are on the
point OF comforting him civic honor, for
vices rendered in the Of liberty, and thinking
his death On the gaows inevitable, he takes some
poison which Mameoke had provided him with, and
lives long enough tc know that he has received-a
free pardon
This is but brief and very imperfect outline Of
the story. There are, Of course, many minor char
acters introduced, and some Of them very clever
personages. there is, however, one fault which
pervades the work rs q novel. The characters dis
course too much en- metaphysics. Novel readers do
not like dscourses abstruse doctrinal points by
handsome young ladies and gentlemen. Taeyexpect
them To sing, dance, make lcve-but not discourse
on its spiritually -fght duels win battles conquer
all manner Of difficulties, and then get married. Not
withstanding this defect, the work abounds with
literary beauties, contains some very p0etica des-
crptions Of the scenery around Bostsn and doubt
not but il will become exceedingly popular.
ALFRED DE RosASS, on, THE ADVENTURES or A
FRENCH GENTLEMAN. Valleys rufnam, Vsr York.
Thisisa republication from an English nov Ell written
byGeorgcw. M. Reynolds, gentleman who has writ
ten some very passable tales. The scene Of the
work before US, Is laid in England and the continent
n Europe, at the time Of the first French revolution.
detail Of adventures in high and low life, with gentle
and simpes knaves and panders, parsons and roues,
modest women and nymphs Of the the pave.
MrTcHELL's SCHOOL GEoaRAPHy. Collins r Go.
254 Pearl street This 10 not merely avery admirable
class book for children but contains many statistical
details respecting the topography, products, and
Of the civilized world which must make
il valuable q work Of reference. u also contains
some very correct maps, and is illustrated with nu-
me wood cuts.
T.. =. District CONT
Before Judge Inglis.