Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-18
ECHOES BELLE roice from the Past by BEN SHA-
DOW New York, G. p. Putnam


ECHOES OF BELLE roice from the Past by BEN SHA-
New York, G. p. Putnam.
This charming little volume porrays in most agreea-
bic and spirited style the history Of Southern Belle
giving faithful and graphic picture of the and
incidents of planters fe well in the retirement of
his plantation in his excursions TO the water
ing places of the North The book purpors be writ
ten by venerable and phosophic bachelor under the
sobriquet of 50 Ben Shadow "a second TX Marvel in
character and fancy, though cannot but think from
its many gentle and tender touches of sentiment that
like the production of refined female mind
Be that, however may it certainly is sweet and
touching tale, and told in most pleasing and attractive
style The volume is dedicated to the memory Of our
great American novelist Cooper with whom the author
speaks of having passed pleasant days the year
vious his lamented DEATH his beautiful family
sion the borders of 0tsego Lake, where all who have
had the pleasure visiting him have been greatly de-
lighted with the romantic beauty of the scenery with
the attractive and conversation of that unrya
led Raconeur and most genial and entertaining host To
the sad change which has since then swept that
bright and joyous the author pays the passing tr
butte Of friendships tear and upon his grave the
chapet of affections wreath of funeral cypress.
The heroine of the tale Alice Verex) is conducted with
much interest through all the loyescenes and
irtations Of BELLE TO the happy denouement Of marry
ing the hero Of her early and constant affection In the
progress of the tale there incidents prove
the verify of the ancient adage that the Of
love did yet smooth " for, during the long alb
sence in Europe of the hero of the tale there many
besettng and powerful attractions to assa and attant
the faith and constancy Of each and especially of the
heroine during Of her fashionable visits to the then
fayorite springs of Baston Spa, where ad
mrers of all nations vieing for her favor.
The author describes in pleasing the ancient
mode of travelling amongst the Southern planters with
their family coach and four from the far South to the
far North long the modern innovations of railroads
and steamboats, we're in use.
Amongst other incidents of the long journey there is
introduced with much effect visit to the residence Of the
distinguished and eccentric John Randolph, of Roanoke
with spirited description Of the plantation its rustic
mansion, and its precise and bacheorke manage. The
travellers next presented to Mrs Madison at Wash
ngton and after brief visits to the intervening cities
and towns the old family coach is drawn up at the
cient "Ciy Hotel" Of the great commercial metropolis
Of country The comparatively primitive state Of that
great city is amusingly sketched.
The author next sets forth the fashionable campaign of
belle at Of great watering places with oil its
attendant rivalties and eaousies After which
interesting visit to Of the beautiful villas of the
Hudson with delightful notices Of the great Addison Of
country Washington Irving and, finally, the jour
ney home and renewal of the planters life the South
portrayng various exciting passages Of love- and
full scenes of death OF which, however the sad
tears swept away in the happy nupta Of the heroine
Wepartculary recommend the perusal Of these charm
ing sketches to the admirers Of Mrs Stowe cor
rect and faithful picture Of Southern life, and
plete refutation Of her unfounded ISLANDERS.
Many passages Of this little volume are written
with much beauty Of style and sentiment amongst which
particularly pleased with the Dawn
TO Noon, and to Tcigh, which subjoin favorable
specimens Of the authors style:
al old in my quiet home and the echoes
Of the past signing through the desolae chambers Of
heart Those pleasant memories have cheered
hour could ring their chimes again clearly and
widely not with the loud harsh capper of the old bell
in the church seep but in gener vibrations would swell
the merry peal Darn, when tho day Is still young the
world unopened book and the pages Of destiny unstaued
by tears"
Introduction 10 Noon
The merry chime Of youth dies upon the air. s linger
ing echo carries back to early years; again to
drink from the inspiring bowl and dance TO the stirring
sound OF old Jms fiddle Oh ye dancing feet how have
wandered in and in joy this fair EARTH to tot
ter at its close alone to the quiet grave
"KnoW ye gentle readers that even TO one so desoae
there are bygone hours whose sunshine still gances
old mans home the lovely and the loved are often with mo
in golden dreams and sweep those hearthords
with my trembling hand to proong in heightened
another echo Of the past"
Introduction 10 Ttciight.
The shadow the dalplate the hour noon
how we should weary Of the dazzling glory the
could we not turn to the softer shades Of evening repose
In the morning Of life time ever tardy, and
would gladly speed his fight the goal Of all our hopes
thirsng for knowledge, for manhood and FOR strength
long for the meridian and when IL Is reached what years Of
unrest and toll AS reap the rpened fruits Of
seed early sown, still looking for richer and
abundant harvest forgeul that the evening draweth nigh
and ere half golden dreams realized the day Is spent
and in the misty TwiLeHr we sit down count losses
and our gains"