New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-05-04
THE TRIBUNE.
Ilterarp Notices.

uoroyEy: Romance Of New-York. By THEODORE .
FAY. In volume. Harper x Brothers.
This is spirited, capital novel written WIN ali
excellent purpose, and developed in an acinira0e'
though not faultcss, manner. In this, as ! Two
Of his former ronanccs, Mr.. FAY strives nooiy
and ably 10 arouse the feelings of the heart as
veil as TO array the convictions OF the judgement
against the crime OF Dueling; though IN the PFC"
cont work Tins is made somewhat subordinate TO
tho h;rbcr aim Of commencing to the heart the
tel md essential truths Of Christianity. Inc
principal hero is Harry Lcnnox, the son OF a
wealthy New York lawyer, who, as wei as his
brother Frank, is in love with Fanny Elton They
make confdants of each other, and both offering
their hearts and hands to the heroine, are both re-
ec,ed-Harry scornfully. and Frank kindly, but
therefore the more decidedly. At the theatre
eoou after Frank, WHO is officer Of the Y. ;.
annv rcsenis an Insult offered TO Fanny by a
British Capt. Gendcnning, by knocking hm
dawn, and a visit 20 Hubokcn is the result. Frank
eonds his bullet through Glcndcnnnig's hat who
fires in The air and then handsomely apologies
for the acknowledged insult. They become nu-
,na and warm friends. Glendennng goes to
Montreal. where his superior officer. Col. Aichol
son, who has quarrel with him, brings him INTO
DISGRACE, and talmts hlm with having prcmaturely
adjusted his quarrel with the American Llcutcn-
ant Stung by the insults daily hcapcd upon HIM,
Glendennpg repairs to New York, insists upon
another meeting with Frank Lcnnox. and kills
him upon the spot. Harry meantime, to relieve
the pain of Fanny's scorniul rejection, is travel
ing in Europe, where hc becomes intimate with
the Earl of Rivington, al whose mansion nc Is
introduced TO the Earl of Middlcton-formerly
Col Niclloson--who is cod-heartcd man oil
the world, very ambitious, and just expecting
brilliant diplomatic appointment. Both VISIT the
Continents and soon after their arrival. Middleton
is astonsIlcd at mcctng at table Glcndcnning,
and White, his friend III the sad affair with Lex
nox-whch has for ever cmbttercd Glcndcn
nng,s life, and, added to repeated instances Of
naughty and hcartlcss treatment, made both
him and White his Iordship's determined foes.
Glopdcnuinr al once faces his enemy, and III the
presence Of Harry I.cnnox accuses hun of having
forced him TO inbruc his hands in his brothers
blood. I.cnnox astounded at the charge, lnrcsu-
gates the matter, learns its truth challenges Md
dIeon, and kills him. After finishing his studies
and travels in Europe, he returns home, finds that
Fannys rejection OF him was caused by the slam
ders of willy foe, his fathers partner; and oil
course they are married.
This is in few words the outline of the story.
Interviewer with the narrative is Il history of the
gradual change in the mind and heart OF Lcnnox
with regard 10 Religion, induced by his expert
cnce OF the world and the tendency of his own
reflections Beginning life an niidcl, he ends 1t
aChrsiian. The minor incidents of the tale are IN
tcrrstIir and well connected with the principal mar
ntivc, and the whole is Sketchcd i'll the lively, spir-
lied manner which has marked all Mr.. FAy's 10
manccs The leading aim of the tale, as we
have said, is excellent: the veil IS lifted from the
duelisl's heart his secret reflections, the agonlcs
Of his soul unknown to the world but tearlnily
present 10 himself, are wildly described, and The
effect of the work must be sensby to aid the pro-
gess of that purer and more honorable public SEN
tincnt which is fast baniShing this curse Of So
ciety which has so long prcycd upon It's best and
vor,hiest members. The following chapter, dc
scrbing the current OF Harry's thoughts on eav
Ing the ground where he had gazed for an instant
upon the stark, marble face the blood-staincd
breast the convulsvc grasp, the dying stare Of
Middleton, whom he had shot, gives good con-
cepion of the writer's power, and is OF itself a
thrilling picture of the inward experience Of Il
Duslist
twas with singular sensation that Our hero
leit himself in rapid motion, daShing as fast as
iOlF swift horses could carry HIM, he scarcely
knew where. He cndcavorcd TO enjoy the stern
'numph Of his Just and holy vengeance, but 1t
was somehow or other, very different thing
nom what he had expected. The murder OF his
bother which had. til now, filed his mind. had
gwen place 10 another thought, VIZ, the fellow
siig ne had left stretched in death upon the
ead,site, and stunning and bewildcrlng sense
aIesponsibillty fell upon him which nc couldnot
sel analyzc. His mind had undergone start
Eng change. His fiery Indignation was qucnchcd
~queached In pity. III horror-nay, more, III re
S'es. Lord Middleton, perhaps, deserved 20 dle.
yll rather by the hands Of an eNccutoner than by
MS aS' thousand reasons flashed suddenly upon
4Aia Why he had better have eitthe deed undonc :;
satse the Inducements 10 ii now appeared but the
le,s'cs Of the hot rage which had ovortlowed hun
sssefday, The image of mS mother rose before
ma She was already i'll from Franks death.
'aas effect would tins new shock have upon
| How would she meet her sole surviving
4 ~. but yesterday the sight of him would have
S"e ocen balm 10 her wounded soul; but now.
SAa What different emotions would she press 10
Il - I
In, Inc effect of tins mornings work upon han
through the rest Of his life, also startled hi:n.
tos good or for evil the dreadful distinction Of
ssag killed a man WAS 10 mark HIM wherever
sWent. True. his victim mcrltcd his fate but
was an ayyful thing 10 have inflicted Il. To he