New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-05-01

wofk Is introduced by interesting letters from Dr.
hrntsir and Mr.. Pulszky, sanctioning the state
ments Of the editress, and confirming the iinpor-
lance Other researches. A ssillfu division of the
work into chapters and sections, with brief table
OF contents, would have greatly increased the ia
cility of reference and trust the defect viii
be romcdicd in future edition. The proceeds ac
cruing from the sale Of this volume are to be de-
voted to the benefit of the Hungarian Fund.
oUEEcHY; By ELIzABErH wErHERELL. limo. PIP 40.
George T. Putnam.
If we were disposed to pursue the inquiry
how far the immediate success of literary pro-
duction is proof of its intrinsic merits, we could
scarcely have more tempting occasion than is
iurnishedby the writings ofthis new aspran to pub
Inc favor. Her previous novel entitled The Wide
Wide World" attained circulation in short time
almost without parallel in the records of Ameri-
can authorship. But its extensive sale was only an
expression Of the admiration which it had called
forth in numerous circle of readers. There was
nothing forced or artificial in its exceeding popu-
lanty. The name of the writer had never been
heard of before. Wholly without prctension, it
even gave no clue to her personality Nor can it
be said that her success has been greatly pro-
NOTED by the influence of the press. The Wide,
Wide World" has been favorably, but not extern
sively, noticed by the public journals. 1t has
found its way to the heart Of the community
purely by the force of its own character. The
present work, in almost every respect, is counter
part to the Wide, Wide World" No one could
mistake the identity of its origin with that unique
production Ii comes before the public with the
brilliant prestige of its predecessor. 1t promises
already to rival it in popularity. large edition
we understand, was sold, even before it appeared
on the tables of the publisher. Readers were will
ling to take it on trust in their grateful memories
past enjoyment received from the pen of the gifted
author.
Ifjudged By the current rules of literary art, we
confess that we shall find it difficult to explain the
remarkable success of these novels. They exhibit
no striking originality of thought, nor any peculiar
force or brilliancy of style. We should unhesita-
tngly pronounce them the werk of an Impractical
writer-cf one who had much to learn concerning
the most effective resources ofsexpression-and
who was more indebted to bold carelessness of
composition, than to an artistic perception of the
lights and shades of language. Nor is the
sruction of the plot in either of these works
adapted to produce powerful effect There is no
gradual accumulation of incident to pique the GU
rosity--the scenes pass over the stage with
but faint consecutive relationship mystery of con-
cealment keeps the reader in GREATNESS suspense
there is no intensity of passon-no exciting dis
closures-none of the charm arising from the ,lra
matte evolution of character-and the predestined
approach to a harmonic denOuement.
Still less is the secret of their success to be
found in any condcscension to popular taste. We
acquit them of everything like cap-trap. They
have no writing for effect. Their tone is emnently
pure, modest refined, and elevated. They are
equally free from imitation of sentiment and pomp
of language. Often indeed they exhibit such
rare and beautiful simplicity that we might almost
suppose them to have been written for the gratif-
cation of private circle, rather than for the pub
licity of the press. The author is never guilty of
excess of coloring-she INDUCES sparingly in orna-
ment-and seldom uses any but chaste and appro-
pirate imagery. With the prevailing love of the
snowy and impassoned which is said to charac-
terzc our countrynen, we acknowledge that we
should have predicted for works of this stamp
quite limited reception.
Their attraction, we are persuaded; consists
chiefly in certain idyllic pathos, which is cast
over the commonest scenes of rural life. The
country is painted sincerely-not dressed up for
effect. The writer is content with the fields and
woods the streams and fountains, the hills and
plains, in their natural costume, without seeking
to disguise them by meretricious adornments.
Pure nature is good enough for her.. Hence her
descriptions are fresh, and fragrant of the scenes
II -.
places you on the brown hills which your boyish
feet were wont to climb. They are the same from
which YOU gathered chestnut burrs, with the early
frost and not special ones manufactured to order.
The homesteads, where her personages first draw
their breath, are such as every farmer and every
farmers wife in the country is perfectly familiar
with. Equally truthful are her delineations of
rural life and character. You have no doubt that
you were well acquainted with the originals.
Some honest old uncle or other, in many Of the in
stances, must have sat for the portrait The
homely Doric idoms of the interior are copied to
the life,-though, we are bound to say that there
is often too much of this. The rustic patos for
many pages often takes the place of honest Eng
sh. You almost begin to feel as if you were
reading foreign language.
The favonte characters of Miss Wetherel,
moreover, are distinguished for the union ofpurty,
sweetness and admirable sense-the quaint arch
ness of their conversation has irresistible charm
we become interested in their fortunes, in spite
of ourselves-they win upon us in the description,
! more in fact, imagine, than they would in real
life,-and though often placed in incredible stua-
tons. they display naturaness and beauty of con-
duct which never fails to touch the moral sympa-
| thies.
| Connected with the fine moral traits OF her
heroines is a tender vein of religious sentiment,
Ill 4-..o. a cort ain al tinue HehreW richness to