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

american Novels.
l. RAGAR; A sroay or To-Day. BY ALtos CNsrS'
limo. Up. GO Redfeld
|. THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT; rHENE ros ris
TinE. Dy CAROLINE caEsrsso isn''' PIP St He"-
field.
T. OvERING: o. THE HE'S wYsEssLY. BY Il
DAD GRAYsOS. I.lno. Pp. 80. Cornish, LsnpoFt 20
We have been in no haste TO dispatch the
works named at the head Of this article, pre-
ferring to let the excitement Of first per'isal
cool down, before attempting to pronounce
deliberate judgment. They are each the pro-
auctions of writer's, who do not row for the
first time make their appearance befor the pub
lie. and although of very unequal merit, each
deserves the compliment Of an impartial est-
mate. As general rule, our table is so
crowded with novels, both original aud re-
printed, that complete notice of all is ont Of
the question, especially as they belong to
class of compositions which cannot easily be
read with a reviewers thumbs. This batch
cut Of the way, We have few others on hand.
to which we may hereafter call the attention of
our readers.
HAGAR A STORY Of TO DAY
With a sincere admiration of the genius of
Miss Carey, as writer OF picturesque and pa
thetic verse, we are compelled to regard this
production as unworthy of her fame. Energy
of imae nation no doubt il exhibits in an I'm.
common degree, but it is an imagination
distorted, inharmonious, diseased and even
swarming with delirious and sepulchral fancles
1t is in the darkest and most repulsve vein Of
Hawthorne, reminding one of the ghastliest
features of the /" Scarlet Letter. but without
the redeeming touches OF natural sweetness
and beauty which relieve the somber gloom of
that work Not only does it luxuriate over the
records of foul and fostering sin, but it throws
such a lurid and unnatural glare on the page,
that the moral lesson. which is the sole apollo
~ for such dclineations of perverted passion.
is completely neutrslized Hagar, rs one
might infer from the name, is woman who
loves not wisely but too well" Her story
is shadowed forth in the following scene, which
prepares the reader for terrible anticipations
of the fate of Elsie, under which name she is
first introduced 20 our acquaintance:
H. small and simply furnished chamber of cottage
rome ffty miles from New York the cottage mentioned
in cur first chapter, the young girl whom we called
Elfie was ill., but rather from mental excitement than
auy physical disorder Sometimes sine lay quiety, hcr
hands loCkedosether and her eyes closed, wearing ON
her countensnee expression OF intense suffering
then she would suddenly rise In her bed and gaze ear
nestly forth, though Influenced by an absorbing bur
always battling expectation and then, turning away,
che would bury her face IN her hands and sigh 80 very
mournfully that all tie pahoe ever shown IN tendere1
CIT could scarcely match her cad display oil tceins-
And sometimes fhe would rock to and iro ami strive TO
her heart by repeating ond words and pro
nises on which she relied with certainty words
and promises on which, poor grl, she could rely no
more ana with this conviction ever suddenly OOrudn
IL check bright dreams her soul grew sick and falling
on her knees che would cry, Have mercy, tiod'
Thou knowcst my weakness anu wickedness Inou
who fashioned my heart, aud made II what a. crush
me not that yielded to the instincts OF this nature thoa
ls< given or ii thou wirhdrawest tbs self leave me the
help Of human comfort in the bright middle heavens
dsrken not the sun OF love ON the fresh borders OF
existence wher not the boughs Of the tree OF ic nor
blacken all ts opening buds Icry 10 thee and thou art
silent reach out my arms toward thee till they fall
back aching ami weary bosom without peace empty
OF hone Of every thing but the OF thy dpeasure
and my ruin Are the dews Of mercy exhausted that
they may not drop against my hot forehead any more
Is the hand OF heavenly pity parayzed. that wi not
unwind the flames which coil and tighten ab0st my
heart Break asundcr All MeSe..s st least the iaxlike
thread OF ui- existence Of Eyony, ~ the tres OF thy
wrath push me utterly from being. and give rest.
rest-oternal rest.
of the unseen; and again in stod silence closing
lips, che put her human strength and human weakness
against retrbution for broken laws saying, 81 but full
filed the desny marked for me from the egnning and
n the bastions OF heaven lift themselves against me,
to blame or II the black walls Of the pit shut me Ia,
can my week hands break them down.
One means Of escape only seemed open; bat tue way
wac steep aud dark and she could willingly 90 down
rIone Yet hope-when does hope desert u not III
mortality trcnbles In III extinction aud the blessed light
Of love IL Lost In the drow ring waters Of death
NY dear child" sad her fond mother, approaching
tie bed where Elsie Isy with hand twisted in her
golden curs aud one tightly shut that the nhls
pressed into the palm Ny dear child, what can do
10 make you well"
burying her face her pillow, and forcing the groan
which rose to- her lips back into her hesrt.
But think OF something can do; you are go KIND
90 good and fear giving trouble " and troking back
Ter hair she tepderly kissed the cheek oil the suerer
.eeing net, for Der love, thet she shi INK away.
softly she susnged the pillow, and carefully folded Tho
cCuntcrpsne and telling Elsie TO try TO sleep ehie
went out for The preparation oil some cordis-such
she funcicd-kind and unsuspicious woman-woud
/ bring back tie lost light Of health.
Alone The young gri thrust the covering 20 carefully
ol1ed, away. ana sitting upright, exesiiieo, NE
tie bterest OF oil she called me her dear good gin
Ii she cast out, and disowned me could live, but
this undeseryed kindness and confidence cannot
bear IT,"
The EXPRESSION Of her anguish was overheard the
door again opened silently and the same sweet voice III
ouired il there was any suffering
"nis over now" Else ssid, struggling 20 compose
herself and leaving the bed she passed 20 and fro IN the
rcour her TIPS moving bu, her voice inandible. a..
length AL expression OF eolmness came over her mce and
her eyes ted .tesd,asy the oor, a. though some
questionable snd ssisted point had been decided in her
mind On tie appearance OF her mother with ssver
of tea and the dsuest food she betrayed no emotion,
Lut acknowledged the kndness with emile and ate,
there nres now IN her brain, ncr shadows on
! her heart
You viii sleep 10 night sad her aieetonste nurse
AZ she srrsnged the bed and smcOthed the pillow snd
/ in the MOI ning feel almos, well"
- YES sba1 be letter tomorrow g. she answered,
tu lft,d not her eyes TO thoec Il her mother, nor
,ccmed inclined fcs further convcrsation she 9aly
rested hcr bead the table by which abe SAT- "s,nn,ns
,be s,rhers--pew serriux up aickerIng ami sab,en
fs,ae and now roalicrins and dnl--gtniy ing proPI.
eiss IN the aeetng ptiares there which mono 'u' ~"