Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-09-16

Tales of The Colonies; or. The Adventures Of an
Emigram. Edited by a late Colonial Magis

ed nothing like these Tses OF the Colonies" Character.
lied by perfect simplicity and intense interest," union
rare as often deemed Incompatible, yet where found
most potcny enhancing each others power, the narrative
the reader with resiessneSs from which he
could not IL he would escape, and from which he would
not II he could.
Truthluncss and noyclu-can tAere be things of more
attractive powcrl-are stamped the whole conduct at
the work the thuness conducts from page 20 page, the
novelty breaics the whelc We are here led into
new walk ct literature Van Demens Land, with its phi
naval wld ancient sOudes its vast praires, its iar
spreading forests tangled bushwood, Its uSurani vege
tuon and its unpeOpled extent OF country is the scene
while on find the most marked distinctive, broadly
sepaated and effectively conased classes of population
that the world could produce.
We follow n settler from England 20 the shore OF Austria
o accompany him through all his tolls, lis vicssitudCs
his lnbours his dangers, his difficulties while the air OF
reality fasons attention, that would be vain to tell
us we have been donS on hcuon ficuon tls not; us
truth alone which rvets interest We quite believe
that not single incident this whole narrative ieisned
Nothing but ruth could transport the midst Of
which altogether out Of the province OF inven
ton The simple energy Of the style has no equal saving
IN De Foe. The freshness unstudicd, the descriptions
NATURAL the details contiguous, and IN such pleni,ude
from beginning To end every little incident l. SO accurate
y marked and happily hit Off simple aud yet TRUTH
full tat We actually hear and with VI
sual and aura organs and IN the midst OF this, shall We
call it the fascination of simplicity met atevery I'M
expected with charm Little traps OF the slycst
humour which trip and fall every third STEP and
are in them before know where and so obi.
gcd laugh at ourselves as well as our author In truth
we might say that Goldsm's delicate wit and De Foes
realizing power OF detail uniting this delightful narrative
besow each the other new charm.
Among the characters there is of the hapPes
OF originality, the old man Crabb. So true, CRATE
fu forever changing, always consistent; dctcSting
every thing, yet loving all abomnainr the county,
finding resolution enough 10 leave II; always taking
ms passage the ship, yet bCdinga house and dwell
ling in his dying day. But cannot few brief
lines do Justice this el!cous OF cossgraucd cx
cepons; requires the whole work unrave his smp-
city. And though VIC have his company almost every
yet have we never enough OF companion who
highly amuses Every stroke IN Crabb's picture tells
and then his phasoology characteristic is racy
and amusing.
Our readers will find this work more than bear out our
commendaton While is novelty literature, it also
u masterpiece in talent. Instance extract:
My presence OF mind almost iorsook this crisis.
Escape seemed impossible; and felt that was doomed
the horrible OF deaths-hat OF being burnt alive
The light OF the flames increased, and the smoke in
side the hut became almost uierable. Feeling il
remained where was, death certain, determined to
make desperate effort escape There little wind,
which blew the smoke in the direction OF the back of tno
hut the natives as knew by their cries were assembled
IN the front.
determined attempt my escape by the back window
hoping that the smoke that direction would
my exit at the moment OF getting q: the window,
when my position would be deencelcss. Hastily down
my bacade Of logs and jumped through the opening ill.,
the smoke. almost sutJcated, but, with my gun
my hand, dashed through IT,
For the moment was not pcrceived; but the natives
got sight me- and voey OF spears around me-
uf which struck me in the back but dropped out again
proclaimed that they in chase. kept running
long could towards that in the middle OF the
ltle plain which Twas passing, intending make that
fighting place, by setting back II, and pro-
tect myself in the rear.
"The spears flew around me and me, but reached
the tree, and instantly turning rUund fired among the ad
vancing natives This checked them tor ;hey were noy
becoming afraid Of my formidable weapon and seeing that
stood rcsOute and prepared for them they retreated
distance but they continued throw spears
OF which fell short and kept up shouting and yell
ing in rghtul manner, capeFing and dancing about in
OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. get me- but kept bay by
my terrible gun.
NV blood was now up! | was excited 10 pitch of low
differentiation by escape from the burning hut and felt
that courage OF excitement which almost prompted
rush my enemies, and bring the by
bodily conflict with my brOadswoTd But prudence pre-
vailed and placed my hope and my dependence my
rusty gun, which had already done such good
Taking advantage OF the temporary naction OF the
lives, felt Tor my powderhOrn reload the barrel which
had discharged. To my uaspeakabe horror and Gisap.
poiniment, 1t missing searched every pocket
vain had laid 1t the table in the hut, and there had
left it. To recover It impossible, the hut all in
flames and while gazed the burning mass dull
port and burst OF sparks from building made known to
that the powder had become gnited, and lost
for ever!
"n my agony OF mind this discovery my hair seemed
bris,e up; and the down my forehead and ob
scured my sight. nov felt that nothing but miracle
could but the love OF life increasing in proportion
the danger Of losing IT, once more summoned up my
falling energies last effort. had three barrels loaded
my iowng piece and two IN my pistols had also
my broadsword, but that would not avail against their
spears.
If could hold out till night thought might be able
then eude my savage enemies the natives have fear
Vi moving about night believing that in the darkness
evil spirit about, seeking do them mischief, and
who then has power them Casting my eyes upwards
the branches of the under winch standing,
observed that easy tocb, and there appeared
indications OF hollow in the trunk between the principal
branches, which might for place OF shelter tl
the night should enable me, under the Of darkness,
to escape from my pursuers.
" formed my plan the instant, and without losing
IN IN n IN cat gfu
branch within reach, clambered up. The natives, who
watching my motions, renewed their shouts and wells
at tins manTuvre, and rushed towards tue body.
scrambled fast could to the fork Of the tree
and found to my infinite relief that my anticipation was
right; there hollow large enough to admit my Yh Die
body and etecay shield from the spears the 50.
wages A. my foot reached the bottom, u encountered
soft body which quickly learnt upJssuin the
attack the calf Of my leg with teeth and claws: ] was
not in q humOur argue the with my new assaun
with my thick bush shoes tramped the creature down
into Jelly, though 1t left It's remembrance my
flesh, which smarted a litc. When recovered NV
BREATH listened TO ascertain the motions Of my enemies
outside.
They had ceased their ycls and there was q dead s
ience, that could hear my quick breathing within
the trunk Of the what they about" thought t.
While mentally circulated this thought felt agitation
Of the tree from which guessed that some yonturous say
age climbing up attack IN my cautious
y raised myself up look around me" but the appearance
OF my hat above the hole the signal for hau.dOlcn
spears three Of which passed through IT, ono Of them graz
ing the scalp Of my head That plan will not do, thought
/; Il must keep close
"As crouched myself down Thought heard breath
ing above Hooked up, and bchod the doous yi,agc
Of ono Of tho snvagos glazing with h- white eye.
balls which exhibited icrOcOus OF exuton. lie
had his waddie in hs hand which hc slowly raised 60 give
pat the head thinking that he hal quite safe
like opossum ~ its hole. YOU'RE mistaken, my beau.
~, thought f. I'm not done for yet Drawing out OF
roy pistol, from NV pocket which rather ma,'er OF
difficulty IN my confined position fired. The ball crashed