New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-05-15
A,,a.,,c Readlpg.-RscoIIected.
Edi,oriL corrsspOndspcs Of TAsTribuns.

LIVERPOOL, April %, 1851.
I brought on board the B attic liberal allow
snce OF books, hoping TO read at least twelve
hours per day throughout the passage. was
rsefully disappointed, TO the extent oil ten hours
psr day at least yet l did read a little hence
the following notations.
1. The House ,oitk the Screen Gables-Haw-
tborne's last books good though not bis best
The authors worst tendency stands out In 1t very
prominently All impartial, discerning ob'erva
tion attests that the Rich are not all heartless VII
Hans nor the Poor all prosecuted saints, as this
and similar stories would represent them. Tha'
man is wealthy or destitute proves nothing
either way with respect to his moral character
and, while ID seems to me las was minated loOO
years ago. difficult to be at the same time vastly
rich and thoroughly good, yet 1t 10 manifestly IN
lust and pernicious to blend as II by natural atn
ity the ideas of Thrift and Wrong in works in
tended TO instruct and certain TO influence the
popular mind. But in fact Hawthorne can never
forget the loss of his tide waitership nor forgive
the Wings of Massachusetts for deeming such
post unsuited to a man OF his genius. This
House 10 more thoroughly and unfairly partisan
than any Of its predecessors.
Yet in spite Of this, and some tedious passages
ID 10, az q whole. vsyy olSvsr- The shss~otsss
twisely few are all sharply and strongly drawn;
and many Of the scenes and descriptions are sd'
rnirable. The conversation on Modern Progress
between a visionary and conservative casually
forgathered In railroad car is one OF the authors
bsppiest fancies, and will bear dozen readings
consecutively. The recoil of the Progressive
swho had endured thirty years Of State Prison
discipline under an unjust convictionl when the
Conservative found something to praise in the
Movement - namely, the Electric Telegraph, OF
rather it's thefcs ching and fugitive arrestng ca
pacities-is In the best vein of Hawthorneism.
ii. The History of the TorR of Bedford ~ II.
lately issued from Boston press, wish to com
mend to clergymen and others who have caPRo
hy and leisure az model Of what ought to be
done for hundred other localities, az know the
like has been done for many. moderate-sized
l9 mo EACH devoted to the history Of few of the
Towns frat settled in each OF our States might be
rendered popular on its publication, and precious,
90 long as our Country shall endure This His.
tory Of Bedford has more matter with less art
than any other town history within my knowl
edge.
III. The Celestial Telegraph. by NJ. Cahas
net Of Paris, published by j. 8. Red6eld, Clinton
Hsll) seems to me the most remarkable book TO
which Mesmerism, Clairvoyanoe and the ologies
thence deduced have given birth. do not feel
that IL 10 possible plausiby to question the per
Ret sincerity and integrity Of the narrator, how.
ever justly we may refuse to accept the relations
Of his ecstatics as veritabe communications
from ,he Land Of Soas. At all events, this vol
ume answers forever she cavil. "lf these Clair.
'voysnts see into the Spirit World, as 10 pre-.
tended, Why do ut they see I0nsetAiRg'" There
can be no candid assumption that these rsvela.
lions amount to nothing if true, or even half true.
Unless Mr.. O. O. Burr has some new device at his
toes ends. Ireslly do Mt see how books like this
Telegraph are TO be dealt with by either High
Priests or esdducees. Silence cannot serve
much longer or in fact, il does not now; and, il
this book be not wholesale and most sscriiegious
frand-whioh to q careful re ader will hardly seem
possible-it proves either that communication
with deceased friends IL practicable, or that the
human mind 10 subject to disbolic illusions OF the
most stupendous and fearful nature. If the latter
h the fact, ought il not 70 attract immediate and
profound attention. Ihope to obtain some clearer
insight into this matter before leave Europe
H.G.