New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-01-01

vbieh they arrive. A shsiowy gloom broot'
over the history, and we feel during It's peru'ai
,h., tho t;tle !, a misnomer--tor the Children
Of Light" dwell in region Of intolerable dark
ncss The work moreover. attempts too
mucb In the endeavor 70 combine speculation
end narrative. il becomes equally obscure and
uuiuteresting. There is too much philosophy
for the romance-there is TOO much romance
for the philosophy The story drsgs on heavI!
-burdened with perpetual interruptions from
thr discussion of principles-while the eOntin-
uity and effect of the argument is destroyed BY
the ,uperfuous occurrence Of incidents 1t
il pity to see so much good material wasted
Wrought up in legitimate form, it would hs
ure well in story, OF add to the substance OF
an ssay The experiment Of uniting two
81 h opposite spheres proves abortive,-an III
directed effort Of manifest ability, but without
the training demanded by the occasion.
Asia Phillips, the heroine Of the story, is IN
troduced to as when child, as the playmate
and humble companion Of the daughter Of
proud, wealthy family, the occupants OF
Maderon house A shy. solitary girl. she
pourishes her young enthusiasm BY the study
of the paintings, which the Maderons had col
lected az amateurs Of Art. The nuns and
martyrs in the gallery make deep impression
on her active imagination. She is led to medi'
tate on the purposes Of her being-long' to
live for some great purpose. or to perish Tor
some noble end. Young as she was, the idea OF
| 4 solemn mission in life haunted her mind. IL
REQUIRED 70 her as often as she opened her
eyes TO the light of morning, or close them
TO the darkness Of night. Cherishing such
visions. Asia grows up 10 early womanhood
without finding the key to the riddle which oc-
cupies her thoughts. Her external environ
ment. at this time, comes before US as a re-
freshing piece of nature. Half way between
a beautiful lake and Maderon house. was the
cottage where Asia lived, with an old blind
uncle. King, once gardener Of the Msderons,
and his slmos, superannuated sister Aunt Milly.
II was a small stone building painted white,
fronting on pleasant green lane, which led to
the lske-sbOre. The green yerandah, its pillars
and lattice work, we're covered with the vines
of fragrant honeysuckle and the Persian rose.
In this sweet and shaded place, Asia's romantic
nature found home, which If not entirely con-
genial. did not fail TO minister to her sense oil
beauty, and to give sperpotual spring to her
naturally buoysnt Imagination. The maiden
was no less remarkable in her personal appear
ance than in her spiritual aspirations shewas
neither pretty, nor winning, nor engaging a'
the phrase goes. Her name was emblematlc
of the Wild. fierce life that glowed within her.
The long and heavy masses OF her hair, I'M
ryalled in their intensity Of lustrous black,
were in harmony with her inward strength OF
heart and purpose Her strange black eyes
elowsd with lofty pride, and were resistless in
their piercing glances. Her figure as she de-
voutly hoped, had not yet its fall growth
With her idea of the complete woman, she de
sired to tower in physical strength as we'll as
in mental force. She deemed an Amzonan
stature the only betting tabernacle for the
spirit that dwelt in her. In the very funcss
of life, she must li'e-if at all Her present
existence, fettered as il was, she would scoru
TO call life Beyond her cottage walls. there wa
none to understand her With the exception
of a certain Mr.. Gregorias, ayoung scamp o
lawyer in the neghbsring village, there was
not one who had read beyond the title page OIL
this strange book of being
We must now get a nearer sight OF this
Gregorias who seems destined 10 exert q
pivotal influence on Asia's fate. He was q
NAN of great personal beauty. With fore
head OF bold and fine proportions, his mouth
was weak and sensual, and his chin contempt
ible; lis eye was fiery and restless, expressive
Of dark intrigue his figure was model OF
masculine symmetry his voice was soft and
insinuating in its tones, indicating gentleness
which had no foundation in his character. His
soul was not progressive it seldom moved,
but az the impulse of passion no lore Of hu-
mainly fred its energies his taste was cult
waited but without force Of purpose his life
was marked by perpetual yacdlation Gener-
Gus and careless to fault st times, he was
crimnaly selfish when tempted by occasion.
AT ore moment he might be an angel OF lighs
but herein was no pledge that be might not be
an angel of darkness forever after. He was
not deficient in intellect, but in morality
With a seductive eloquence which lurel and
fascinated the listener, he was unable to com
nlsnd respect.
Gregoras began to cultivate Asis's acquaint
suce At her garden cottage His curiosity val
excited BY tho originality Of her character
At that time, she had no companion Of bel
own sex, nor Of his. His presence vas a ner
rrYelation 20 her aspiring soul. She locke,