Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-12-02
MISCELLANY.
COOPER'S NEW NOVEL.

THE WING AND WING or lie Ecu Toilet: A Tale
by the Author of The Pilot &c. In two vol
umes. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard. New
York: Jas. Stringer, l55 Broadway.
This work has just heen published. and we avail
ourselves Of its first appearance to cite two OF
three extracts for all which we now have room
from which some opinion may be formed rs to its
general merits. The Sea is, in the opinion Of ma
ny, COoPERs element, and his best friends divide
their admiration between his sketches Of incidents
connected with the Deep, and his lile-like pre-
sentaiions of Forest Life. So far rs we have had
time to examine this Novel, it will avornbly com.
pare with those that have gone before. interwo-
ven with the incidents of the tale is a most touch
ing and well-drawn contras, between profound
religious faith existing in the heart of The heroine
OF the work and the light-hearted, careless, fatal
infidelity of her lover. When we have read the
book more thoroughly, we may speak its merits
more critically and in the mean lime, we content
ourselves with the following extracts.--Weto York
Tribune.
AN EXECUTION AT SEA.
The yellow flag, and the signal gun, hrough,
every thing. in the shape Of duty to n sand-stilI,
in all the fleets. The hoarse commands ceased
the boatswans, and their mates, laid aside their
calls, and the cchoing midShipmen no longer
found orders to repeat. The seamen gathered TO
the sides Of their respective vessels-every part
glistened with eXpectant eyes-ihe booms rosem =
bled clusters of bees, suspended from the bows of
n forest and the knight heads taffralis, gang
ways, and strechers OF the rigging, were garnshed
with those whose bright buttons, glazed hats, ep
auletres and dark blue dresses denoted 10 belong
TO the privileged classes of ship. Notwithstand-
ing all this curiosity nothing like the feeling which
is APT to be manested at an exhibition o! meriied
punishment, was visible in single countcnance.
An expression resembling a sombre gloom, ap-
peared to have settled on all those grim warriors
of the deep; English, Neapolitan or Turk, appa-
tlv nil fart n snfI
rather than for the majesty Of justice. Sull no
nurnur arose-no sign of resistance was made -
no look of remonstrance given. The unseen man
tie Of authority covered ali and these masses OF
discontinued men submitted, as we bow TO what is
believed to be the fiat of fate. The deep.seaed
and unresisling habit of discipline, suppressed
complaint but there was general conviction tia.
some uct was about to be committed, that il were
better for humanity and JUSTICE should not be
done; or, if done at all, that it needed more OF
form, greater deliberations and fairer trial, 10 be
SO done to obtain the commentator Of men
The Turks, alone, showed apathy; though all
showed submission. These Subjects of destiny
looked on cody; though even among them, Il
low rumor had passed, Tint malign influence
prevailed i'll the fleets md that great and proud
spirit had gotten TO be mastered 10y The passion
that SO often deprives heroes of their seIi-com-
mand and Independence.
Ghila ceased her prayers, as the report of lhc
gun broke rudely on her ears and, with streaming
eyes, she even dared to look towards the frgate
Raoul and ali the rest bent their gaze in the
direction. The sailors, among them, saw The rope
at the iore-arm-yard move, and then heads rose
slowly above the hammock-clolhs: when The pris
oner aud his attendant priest were visible even Il
their feet. The unfortunate Carraccoli, as ha
been said, had nearly numbered his three score
md ten years in the regular course OF nature ant
his bare head now showed the traces of time. lie
wore no coat and his arms were bound behint
his back at The elbows, leaving Just motion enough
to the hands, TO aid him in the slighler office:
about his own person. His neck was bare, anC
the fatal cord was tightened sufficiently around
10 prevent accidents, constantly admonishing it
victim of It's revolving office.
A low murmur arose among The people in tn
boats, as This spectacle presented itself to thei
ewes and many bowed their faces in prayer
The condemned man caught ray of consolation
from this expression ofsympathy and he looked
around him an instant, with something like u re-
turn of those feelings of the world, which il hat
been his effort and his desire totally to eradicate
since he had taken leave of Ghta, and learned tia
his last request, that of changing his mode of pun
ishment-had been denied. That was fearful
moment, for one like Don francesca Carracclul
who had passed long life in the midst of the seen
that surrounded him. llustrious by birth, allluen
honored for his services,and accustomed to respec
and Difference, Never had the glorious Panoram
of the bay, appeared more beautiful than il did Il
that instant, when he was about to quit it forever
aud this by means Of violent and dsgracefI
death. From the purple mountains-the cerulea
void above him--the blue waters over which h
seemed already 10 he suspended-and the baskin
shores rich in their towns villas and vines, his ey
turned toward the world OF ships, each alive wit
masses of living men. glance of meanchol
re2roach was cast upon the little flag that was JUS
waving at the mizen.mast head of the Foudroy
anti and then i fell on the carpet of faces beneath
l....l l.
smooth sea into an arena of human countenancel
His look was steady, though his soul was in tn
multi. Ghita was recognized by her companion
md by her dress. lie moved towards tho edg
of his narrow scaflodng, endeavored TO slretc
forth his arms, and blessed her again, aloud. Tn
poor girl dropped on her knees, in the bottom @
the boat, bowed her head, and in that humble at
titude did she remain, until all was over not dar
ing once to look upward, again.