Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1853-06-16
NE w BOOKS.


Sinclair. author Of Beatrice" &c
New York, Stringer g. Townsend, ,
1858.
Il This work is one Of those rare crea-
tions which make their appearance on
II Iy at long intervals in the literary sky.
1t is volume Of great originality and
fascinating interest. Had lis fair author
written nelhng else, this work alone
were in itself enough 10 ensure her a
WIDE, enyiabIe, and permanent fame
1t abGunds IN all those rare excelencies
which are in themselves the test while
they are, at the same time, thei eviden-
ces OF The most exalted genius. Miss
Sine air writes for the double purpose
oil amusing and oi doing coed, Con-
scieniious TO degree, by nature, she
never takes up her pen except 10 COM
BAT some great evil whose removal
would confer a lasting benefit on society
! and the world. In "Modern FlHtaiionsn
she has dealt Il blow at the male and
female lepers Of society which will be
ieIt and remembered. In her preface
10 this, her latest work, the fair author
ess says:
The mothers and daughters in lash-
ionable society lave Of late been so
harshly stigmatized by the press, that it
,, a, nI
porcupine's quill dipped in gall, 10 rid
icule their conduct and motives, while
not a pen has yet been drawn from the
scab bard, nor drop OF ink spilled in
their justification but the weight OF
censure might become greatly lightened
by beng more cquitabIy divided among
all WHO are eni tiled to carry a share,
and in these volumes an endeavor is
made 10 rectily the balance more justly,
though with what SUCCESS remains 10
be discovered by the author herself, as
not single friend ever sees her pages,
or puts on the spectacles oil criticism ill
after they are printed. The only pecu-
, larity 10 which she makes any preten-
sion. IN once more presumIng to pub
lsh, is, that avoiding all caricature, all
improbabili,y, and all personality, she
has introduced few individuals acting
and thinking in The ordinary routine OF
every day life, while her highest amb-
lion is 10 represent in natural colors, the
conduct and feelings Of men elevated
aud ennobed by the influence Of Chris
tianity.
"a celebrated mathematician threw
aside novel once in disgust, saying
that ii proved nothing;' but in these
pages tie author has endeavored TO
prove much. Amidst the hustle and
business, the joys and sorrows Of life,
she has attempted TO illustrate how tru-
ly wis dom's ways are oi pleasaniness
and all her paths are peace, e,"-how su-
perior is the Crstlan standard Of PRlN-
clpLE to The mere worldly code OF honor,
or eapediency and how much ofthe hap
piness intended for man by lis Creator
is ruined and forfeited by the perversity
OF his own will, in neglecting the good
of others, and in vamly grasping like II
spoiled child, at more than Is intended
for his share. While thus writing u
fiction, which may perhaps bo denomi-
mated large religious tract in high lite,
the author humbly submits Aer rages
to The Judgment of others, and cannot
conclude ia the words of IA more univer-
sally veneraled, or Of a more generally
popular fictitious author than the excel
lent Bunyan
"'Thus set pen TO paper with delight,
And quickly had nay thoughts IN black and
white
For having now my method by the end,
Still as pulled it came, ard SO penncd
II down, until at last 1t came to be,
For Ieng n aud breadth, the bigness which you
see.' >"
A work like this cannot fail to leave
It's mark upon society f; and we cordial
y recommend it To such Of our readers
as love a really good and rightly writ
ten book The volume is got Up IN ex-
ceIIent style, is neatly and lasleluIly
embclished with original i'll STATIONS.
aud will doubtless be very extensively
read.
For sale by L. L. Hnmmctt. JIG.