Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-05-22
ClNQ MARS par H. alfred COmp'c DeVigny
Paris ct BrureLes, ls45.

Paris ct BrureAes, lS45.
We like occasionally to toss up the papers
which adorn our editorial table, and from the
mass of Extras and political documents, ''black
spirits, white and grey" draw forth from is
hiding place some precious little volume. like
the one now before US. There is something
refreshing in tuning over these pages after
the toll Of the day is done, when the soul,
tnaddened by tales Of bloodshed and ruin, Of
,acked towns and human slaughter. feels a.
gain the genial influence of polite literature
steal over its faculties, like the bew;tching
harmony of dimly rempmhered lay. recalling
! it again 10 pleasures long untasted. and feel
ingS unknown in the RIDER walks Of political
science. tits " ih such an ebulIiion of anima-
ting enjoyment that we now perform a duty we
had loHg promised the importer Of the work,
whose name heads this article. The author,
DeVigny, has lately become rather popular in
this country. from his contributions TO French
lit. nature. Unlike the dreaming Sue, whose
best productions are snllied with shameful
however exquisite, can mitigate or conceal
the writings of Mr.. DeEigney are remarkab able
! for philanthropy, without aifrctaton, and a
generous magnanimity of kindness no passion
can obscure or ambition destroy. He seeks
not to infams his readers but to instruct them.
He aims rot for the fleeing appIauses Of sec
tartan rancor, but for that nobIer reward which,
as Lord Camden said, posterity alone can
pay" The object Of the work is under the
form of a romance, containing minute histo-
ry of the rebellion Of CInq Mars during the ad-
ministration Of Cardinal Richelieu. to present
to the reader, - Tn trate sur la chute de Ia
:eodalte, snr Ia position exterieure ct intere.
ure de la France an dix-septieme steele, sur Ia
question des alliances avec les armes etran
CERES, sur la justice aux mains des parIemepts
on dos commissions secretes ct sur les accLsa
tons de sorcellerie." and The aut Tor justl,
concludes, that though this ssn'eut pas etc Il
peut-etre; le roman lie fut.'' The sa me thins
has been done in our ow n country by Cocpe
and living, who, under the form Of historica
novels. nave given 10 our literature, cont',hu
tions Of rare and surprising merit. 1hi
} species of composition is rapidly assumn lht
place it should in the hands OF the schola
and the hearts Of the people. We conoratu
late our Hhroti that the drIuge Of trash which
under the form of :. light readin g. fail,
threatened short time since, TO subm erge US
is fast declining beneath nobler aIInvions o
= more permanent and substantial beauty. Thu
style is concise but clear, and harmonious
! without labor. There is a strength wirhou
D too much brevity. and learning without peda
: try or effort. We regret tha: our limits vii
] not permit Us 10 give the reader few extracts
: but in this perhaps We might set up cur owl
= taste to the injury Of the author, and by draw
e ing too much attention to certain portion
q detract from the residue Of the work. If ther
e is any fault We could discover, it is that tn
i author has not been pleased to favor Us witt
II some more specimens of the lyric poetry @
e that era. These might have been easily in
e corporated with the text, and would lend new
y charm to Geographic power Of his descriptiy
] .