New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-03
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
RECOLLECTIONS OF LITERARY LIFE. BY MA
RY RUSSELL MILFORD, limo. PIP. 55S Harper
Brothers

N L. w IONO.
RECOLLECTIONs OF A LITERARY LIFE. BY MA
RY RUSSELL MILFORD, limo. PIP. 55S. Harper h
Every one must anticipate delightful
treat in a volume of recollections from the frank
and graceful pen of Miss Milford. The perusal
of the work may at first occasion feeling Of
disappointment, as there is so little about the
authoress and so much about everybody else.
The title leads US to expect an autobiography
but instead of this we have series of charming
extracts from favorite writers, interspersed with
slight criticisms, and now and then bit of per-
sonal narrative. Still there is so much exquisite
ceiling, such lively play of the fancy, and SO
many rare and dainty selections often from au-
thors not met with every day, that the volume
bounds with destinations, and will tempt all
sorts of readers. 1t is written in an excur-
sive, rambling style with no formalities of meth
cd, and even bravely deiying all local and chro.
biological relations. You read it as you listen to
the conversation of delightful companion, VINO
takes you through the fragrant hooks and cor
aers of rural scenery, and enlivens the walk with
the remembTances of past beautiful years, each
Of which has stored the heart with impressions
and associations whose value is redOubled by the
genial naivete with which they are communities
ted
Without attempting any regular story OF her
life, Miss Milford allows an occasional revela.
ton to escape her pen, which to many readers
will form the most attractive features of the
volume. Here is characteristic picture of
HER EARLY CHILDHOOD:
In common with many only children, espe-
caly where the mother is Of grave and home loving
nature, learned to read at a very early age Be-
fore Mas three years old my father would perch
me the breakfastta table to exhibit my one accom-.
the more, because, small, suny child. iootins far
younger than really was, nicely dressed, as only
children generally are, and gifted with an aiuence
OF curs, might have passed for the twin sister OF
my own great doll. On the table Was perched TO
read some tokie newspapers, Courier" or " Morn
ing Chronicle" INC Whigsish oracles OF the day,
and AZ my delight In the high. seasoned politics Of
sixty years ago was naturally less than that of my
hearers, this display of precocious requirement was
commonly rewarded, no. by cakes or sugar. plums,
TOO plentiful In my case to be very greatly cared for
but by a sort OF payment in kind. l read leading
articles to please the company and my dear mother
rscited The children In The Wood" to please me.
ballad after every performance, just as the piping
eullnnch that hung in the window looked for his
lump OF sugar after going through "God save the
King" The two cases were exactly parallel.
hiois, during some temporary absence Of the dear
mamma, ana cried out aman for the di.ty that
loved My father who spoilt me, did noe kno~ a
word OF IT, but he hunted all the shelves till be
had found the volumes that he might read il to me
himself and then l grew unreasonable in my de-
mand, and coaxed, ana kissed, and begged that the
book might be gwen 70 nav maid Nancy that she
might read IT to me, whenever chose. And (have
not said that my father spoilt me y carried nv
point ana the three volumes were actually put In
charge Of my pretty, neat maid Nancy lin shose
Gays nursery-soyernesses were not.) and She wax
ing weary OF the Children in the Wood" gradually
took to reading 10 me some of the other ballads
and as from three years old grew 10 four or AVE.
learned to read them myself, and the book became
the delight OF my childhood, as /, is now the solace
and am an old woman, whose nus-brown hair has
turned 70 White but never that heavily bound
copy Of "Pescy's Reliques without the home Of
| my infancy sprinsing up before my eyes
Aspleasant home, in uu,h i, Was A large hons.
IN . h'Te town OF the north OF Hampshire town.
90 small that but for an ancient market. very slen
derry attended, nobody would have dresmt at caiin,
thing but village. The breskfastroom' whsrs
iI!s. possessed myself OF my beloved ballads, was
| loiy snd spacious apartment, literally lined with
books, which, with Its Turkey carpet, il, GOWN.
nIe It's sofas and i,s easy chars seemed, what in
osse II Was, very nest Of English comfort The
full Of old fashioned fowers-stocks roses honsx,'
suckics, and pinks and that again led into grassy
orchard, soounding with frui.-trees a picturesque
counuy church Win It's yews and iindens on one
side, and beyond down as smooth as velvet dotted
with reh Islands OF coppice, ne zei wooebins ha "
thorn, and holly reaching up into the young oaks
ana o,einansLs howery patches OF primroses,
wood sorrei, wild hyhacinth and wald ssrawberres
On the soe opposite the church, in hallow frineed
with aders sLd tulrushes, cleaned the bright clear
lAkeist, facians with swans and wa.er-les which
ne simple tovnstolss were content 10 call the Great
! Pond. ~ 'S~'
| what ay-srsund was that orchard and wha,
plNNuoNs were Inlne Nancy, with her trim
pIettiness my own dear father, hsndsornest ard
Snserluess OF men. and the great Newfoundland
oos ooe' we used to lie Gown my feet as II TO in.
vite me to mount him, ana then 10 nrsnce OFF Win
his o9idep. az be enjoyed the nun as much as We
oid. Happy, happy days, I, is good to have the
memcfy Of such childhood 10 be able 10 call m
pass deneots ey the rere sight and sound of Ch.yy
Chase or the battle of ouer6ourrs ''
| In another place, we have OBSERVATION If bs,
parents, and her childish experience. which !.
not without touch of sadness:
My dear mother, the only SURVIVING child
o. nchly benefced clergyman, had been for aer
SAnon and for those times Whist might be callss az
nnsusss. ard when she married nv father. bron,ns
Elm, oss'ces certain property in house and land.
Po'"o0 In money OF eight-and.tseniy taoas ,nd