New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-04-04
THE TRIBUNE.
LIBRARY OF CHOICE READING.


No tale ever found more universal acceptance
than Undine 1t is one Of those writings, so rare in
literature where some lines have really been trans-
embed from the innermost life OF the writer. Gen
orally we write, as we live indolen,ly and super
iicialy: we feel that the time has no, come for re-
veation and we do not find within ourselves the
power to hasten it, so only strew with rushes
path Tor future procession.
But, in Undipe, there is that subtle Interviewing
Of the divine with the natural and human, ,hatpene-
tratlon OF the clods of earth by the rays Of distant
sun, of which all developed natures are conscious,
though they seldom speak of it, unless in the strict
communion Of love, or the aspirations of prayer
For even poets and artists have been timid about
trusting those precious flowers TO the outward air,
and their experiences appear on the canvas IN the
verse, az under a thick veil.
In In Note Fouque's mind, too, this record
marks period of peculiar illumination, perhaps the
CRISIS Of his mental career For he has written no.
thing else that compares with it. His other works
are interesting from their chivaric nobleness and
purity of sentiment, but show neither the plastic
beauty Of form, nor deep poetic sense we find in
Undine
This Little tale is harmonious expression OF the
two-lold life Of Man; it has the frolc and whimsl-
cal grace of childhood with the pathetic energy OF
experience. 1t would win and touch the wording,
while It embodies the thought of the Sage
Outward nature lies around gently it does not
call the attention, but influences the course OF ac-
ton and Of thought, as it does in the life ola child
The beauty comes and goes, 1t does upon our
cyes, according as we want it--according we
have power 10 see it. 1t is an ideal beauty, the
light that shone sea land' till the soul
OF man reflected II there.
Sniram, the other tale, IS only passable either In
invention or execution. But we rejoice TO see I'm
dine in shape that makes it accessible 10 all the
youth of the land.
This library is put up in beautiful style, as well
offered at very cheap rate We are pleased 10
such good paper and PRINT for we think the habit
threading Ill printed, dngy books deterloraes not
only the eye-sght but the taste. Books, II good for
any thing, deserve a clearly dress. To degrade
them even outwardly, has the same tendency as
The use of tobacco TO pollute and yulgarze all the
habits of life.
The AMBER Wren is fine specimen of literary
ingenuity Perhaps it is more like genuine diary,
for It's hard outline and the want ofroundness in the
forms. The picture Of the girl is sweet, and the
tone preserved abou, her truly natural and pa
ernal
EoruEN is not well worthy Of the excessive praise
that has been bestowed upsn 1t. The writer keeps
close to his experience and thus sometimes makes
good observation, such as tins, can hardly tell
why il is but there is longing for the East. very
commonly felt byproud- hearted people. when goad-
ed by sorrow" But generally the brilliant re-
marks are hashy and himsy also. Some mean pre-
ludices are evinced; the writer has little pictorial
rover The charm of the book Is its strong indl-
v!duality. We always ENJOY the flavor OF charac-
ter; and, no doubt, in these days OF mass meetings
and equctcs ii requires great share OF vitality
and cearness fer man 10 give us this enjoyment
Yet more is wanting TO lnipar permanent value 10
a book and no more Twill be found IN Eoihen-
The book has been compared with Anasaslus
but in that book, as IN his Architecture, Hope
showed mastery mind that is he showed hni-
self mind that seizes nstinctyely, not merely on
what is salient but what is leading. On any topic
he touches. he gives you lead Here is no such
power, Yet such passages as the following are en-
ertalning and interesting, too *
In the Ottoman dominions there is scarcely any
hereditary influence except that winch oelonSsto
the family of the Sultan, and wealth, too, is
highly volatile blessing, not easily transmitted TO
the descendants OF the owner From these causes
i; results, that the people standing IN the place OF
mobiles and gentry, official pcrsonases, ana
though many Indeed the greater number) OF iheSe
potsntates are humbiy born and bred, you VIII sci,
dom, think hnd them wanting IN mat poiiSheu
smoothness of manner, and those well unau!aIIns
tones which belong 10 the best Oslnanlees' Inc
truth u.s. that most of the mea IN authority nave
risen from their humble stations by the arts OF the
courier and they preserve IN their hisn estate,
tbos. gentle powers of fascination 10 walch they
owe their success. Yet unless you can conlrlVe 10
learn litlc of the language, you VIII oe ra'hef
bored by your visits OF ceremony; the lh'eFven-
ton of the interpreter, or Dragoman as he IS called;
Is fatal 10 the spirit OF conversation. tHihh
should mislead Won, II We're 10 attempt 10 give
the substance OF any particular conversation WIN
Ofientas a traveller may write and say mat
''ihe Pas5a OF So and-So was particularly interest
ed IN the vast progress which has been made III the
applicstion of steam and appeared 10 understand
the structure OF our machinery-lhat he remarked
upon the gigantic results OF our manufacturing "a
dusiy-showed that he possessed consueraoie
knowledge OF our Indian affairs and OF the conS'i-
tuition of the Company, and expressed lively ad-
nniration Of the many sterling qualities Tor which
the people of England are distinguished. bul sne
heap OF commonly places thus quietly attrlou'eu 70
the PaSha, viii be founded perhaps Oh SWAY 'Nt
talking as this:
Pasha-The Euglishman is welcome; most
blessed among hours is this, the hour OF his coming
Drasoman Ito the TrayeleI).-The Pasha pays
YOU his compliments.
7fqrcl.r-Give him my best compliments IN
return, and say n deliSh'eu 10 rave Tue iio"o VI
seeing HIM.
Dracomun 10 the Pasha),-His Lordship. tins
En.lishman Lord OF London. Sooner oi Ireland,
Sunnyessor of France has Quilted his governments
and left his enemies TO breathe for moment, and
has crossed the broad waters in strict disguise,
with small but eternally faithful relinae OF fol-
lowers, In order that he might look upon the bright
countenauce of the Pasha among Pashas-the "a
sha OF the everlasting Pashalik Of harasholook'
oldow
Trarclcr Ito his Dragomen).-W on earth
will h. taking me for mere cockney Have not
told you ai,rays 10 say, that am from branch
OF the family of Mudcombe Park, and that am
to be magistrate for the county OF Bedtordshlre,
been Dsputy. lieutenant, If it had no, been for
the extraordinary condnc, Of Lord Mountpsomise,