New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-14
NEW PUBLICATIONS,

NEW PUBLICATIONS,
LA By GEORGE BosRow. George r. Putnam. Harper L
Brolhers
Mr.. Borrow occupies underground in the
present work which seldom falls to the lot of
bookmakers. We class him in this category with
out hesitation, for few authors show more dis
tinctly the intention with malice aforethought to
produce sensation by their writings, than is pal
pable on every page of this cratic volume. With
out regard to symmetry, conference, probability,
he ransacks the hooks and corners Of his memory
TO procure materials for effect; the whole record
of his past life is examined with view to this
end whatever he can pitch upon adapted to his
purpose is drawn forth with an air of triumph;
and you can almost see the roguish twinkle Of
his eye, as he enjoys the anticipated astonish-
ment of his confding readers. Determining to
make book which should startle the staid English
public he could find no reader method than
to exhibit the missionary of the Bible Society
Invested of the insignia Of his profession, and in
intimate fellowship with gipsies and vagabonds
boxers and tinkers, horse Jockeys thimble-riggers
thieves and backlegs, to which worshipful classes
he was always drawn by some odd afinitieS OF
taste and temperament A more deectable mass
of materials for the connection of taking volume
could scarcely be imagined. The author has had
the widest personal experiences for the illustra
ton of human nature in those naive forms which
it assumes when free from the shackles of artif-
cial society. The contrast between bis position
as a gentlemans son, (of which fact he takes
care distinctly to advise u.s. with curious and
out.of the.way attainments in learning, and the
NH ba he.
bitually associated, is piquant in the highest
degree, and gives unique attraction to his nara
tive, which accounts for the wide aud sudden pop
ularty which we believe has followed its publlca'
ton The most bgoted stickler for conventional
ussges likes to violate them in Imagination; he
cannot resist the allurements of the Free forest
life of the gypsy, when set forth in picturesque
delneations; and even relaxes his astringent sym
psthes in favor Of the social outcast when he
finds that the mighty heart OF Nature does not
cease to throb in the most degraded OF her chill
dren. This is the tendency of Borrows vlyld
"reminiscences. His own conventional standing
frees him from the suspicion Of vulgarity; he has
no radical ideas to frighten people from their pro-
priety; his white hand retains no CRIME of the
forge where he made shoes for the horses of black
nomades of England. which, in spite OF its law
lessness, has the freshness of the open air in
which it is passed, and presents charm to the
imagination like the adventures of Robinson Cru
soc or the death. dealing exploits Of Major Cum
mings among the lions of Africa.
Borrow was the son Of an officer in the British
army. His father. after serving number OF years
In the line, was at length transferred to militia
regiment, in order to instruct the young recruits
In military maneuvers and discipline. He was
constantly kept on the move. Young Borrow
thus became a wanderer at an early period OF his
life. Passing much Of his time in barracks, he
was led to regard monthly change of scene and
residence as matter Of course His adventures,
of which he presents such q Munchausen-like
tssue, began almost before he had left the age OF
infancy One of bis earliest recollections was
his making friends with viper which he relates
a. follows, adding an edifying bit of philosophy {;
BORROW AND THE VIPER.
Il happened that my brother and myself were
playing one evening in a sandy lane, In the neigh
borhood Of this Petit camp; our mother was at a
slight distance. All Of q sudden, bright yellow,
and, TO my infantine eye, beautiful aud glorious
object, made its appearance at the top Of the bank
down, began TO move across the lane to the other
side, like line of golden light. Uttering cry Of
pleasure, sprang forward, and seized 1t nearly
by the middle. A strange sensation OF numblng
GOODNESS seemed to pervade my whole arm which
surprised me the more, as the object 70 tne eye
appeared go warm and sunlike. did not drop
IL, however but holding il up looked at 1t intent
IN, as its head dsnged about a foot from my hand.
1t made no resistance; felt not even the slight
est struggle bat now my brother began to scream
and shrek like one possessed. 90 mother,
motherr' said he, "the viper my brother has
viper in his handr He then, like one frantic,
made an effort to snatch the creature away from
me- The viper now hissed amain, and raised its
head, IN which were eyes like hot Goals, mena-
cling, not mysef but my brother. dropped my
captive, Tor saw my mother running toward me
and the reptile, after standing for moment near
ly erect, and still kissing furiously, made of and
disappeared The whole scene ia now before me,
rs wildly as II II occurred yesterday-the gor.
geous viper, my poor dear frantic brother, my
agitated parent, and frightened hen clucking
under the bushes-and yet was not three years
old.
IL IL nv firm belief that certain individuals pos
sess an Inherent power or fascination over GER
tion creatures. otherwise l should be unable to
account Cor many feats which have witnessed,
and. indeed, borne a share In, connected with the
tanning of brutes and reptiles l have known a
savage and vicious mare, whose stan IL was dah