New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-11-30
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE HISTORY OF HENRY ESMOND. Esq. b. W.
NJ. THAcKEEAY
In deciding on the plan of this work, it would
seem as if the author had delighted in tn ac
emulation Of difficulties, in order 10 submit
his powers to the sevcrest test in overcoming
them. He has derived his plot from historical
incidents in an age not SD distant as to pos
scss the charm of romance nor so nea- as n
be connected with the immediate stirring in
terests of our own times. 1t was precisely the
interval in English history which one would
suppose wonld present the most barren mate
rial for work Of the imagination The reign
of Queen Anne, in its reaction from the fierce
excitcments caused by the expulsion of the
Stuarts, and not YET kindlcd by the fiery pas
sions of modern revolution, presents too tame
and insipid an aspect tosuit the purposes of the
novelist Its most brilliant feature was doubt
less the circle of wits and poets, whose man.
ners have been depicted with such admirable
fidelity or rather vitality. in the series of lee
lures, in which Mr. Thackeray has shown him
self superior in point both of genius AMI cul
ture to most Of the originals on whom he so
well discourses. But Addison and Steele AMI
shrewd Bishop Atterbury, are the last persons
to figure in work Of fiction. The names are
too familiar, they have too decided an air of
reality, they remind Us TOO much of unexception-
able family reading tofurnish flexible mate
terials for dramatic effect. We shOuldas soon
think of putting the whole series of British
classics on the stage in their own persons from
Milton to johnson. Thehero Ofthis work, more
over, is made to tell his own story, although be
speaks in the third person when he does not
forget himself A model character like Henry
late some of the pTOprieties, in going through
with scenes which in themselves pronounce his
eulOgium. Add to this, the writer has not only
TO preserve the costume and cOloring of past
age, but he volunteers even to reproduce lis
language in the construction Of his narrative.
With these burdens on his shoulders. a common
writer must certainly have broken down. No
one could dream Of success without both a va.
riety ard facility of resource, that are seldom
found in our current literature We freely
own that the composition Of this novel impress
SEES us more deeply with the admirable quality
OF Ihackeroy's intellect than either of his most
remarkable previous productions, Eanity Fair
or Pendennis. The painting does not, indeed,
exhibit such broad contrasts of light and
shade-there is no character which starts so
prominently from the canvas as the omnipres-
ent Becky Sharp, or the indOmitable Major
Pendennis-the tone Of passion is more sub
dued-nor are the depths of the human heart
prObed with such truly surgical nonchaance,
as in the work alluded to;-but We detec. in
Henry Esmond a more profound experience of
life,-the characters are portrayed with more
delicacy and naturaliness of fnish-there is
truer sympathy, finer relish of humanity, a
warmer appreciation of the sweet and ear.
nest and tender elements OF our nature,
than We have before met with in Thack-
erays writings. AS specimen Of arts.
TIC skill, Henry Esmond. We think. bears
WV oAl iSNtul hOEh o. UcliOn.
bu' IN this respect it is so exquistely wrought.
mat II has al the effect of the most simnla !
nature In truth, the whole material os the
pot is drawn from the deepest heart Of nsturs.
and Ihaekerayis so consummate mastor rho,
II does not become artificial in passing n roug,,
his hands. We forget the minute toucbo.
which go to the composition of such \ wo-.
and enjoy the porraiture of its character.
as We do the sight of wild rose tree " ,ha
fragrant beauty Of June. We read tho uo-,,
as the veritable history OF Gel. Esmond -
joieine in the frequent displays of noble and
gallant manliness which he so uncon.c;on.lv
describes-melted in sympathy with the Grief.
of the rare compound Of woman and ANGEL .,
the lovely Rachel-ald dazzled with The mar.
verse brilliancy Of the charming wicked 90
quette Beatrix,-al of whom We are sure mus,
have sat for the hkenesses, which are drawn 80
true to nature, without the least aid from ex.
asgerated cclors