The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-12

Our BOSTON NOrfespOnuences
BosroN, Nov. 7, 1854.
Literary Enteligence-THe neso Anti Slavery Noua,
Ida May" Unpnblished- Nacaulay's History
ITS Continuation Further Postponed Diiatori.
ness of Historians- Editorial Chonges- Mr..
Forrest, &c.
Ida May" the new antislavery novel, is au-
nouDced 70 appear on the 10th, by Philips, Samp-
son Co. am indebted to them for an advance
copy Of the work, and brief account Of it, seeing
hat so much has been promised from it, may not be
unacceptable to ycur readers.
Ida May, the heroine Of the tale, is the daughter
Of . coppl in easy circumstances, living in Penn.
sylvania. Her mother died when she was but
child shortly after which she was boldly seized on
the biRbwsy, by q couple of gentlemen in the kid.
mapping line, who are go lost to sense Of the pro-
preties as to trade in Anglo Saxon flesh and blood,
as well as In that Of Afca--dealers in silk az well
as in wool In the hands OF these impartial free trad.
ersshe is 80 badly used that they sold her. suppos.
ing her to be dying, for thirty dollars, to goodna,
tured planter of the name of Bell who supposed her
to be of African blood. She is nursed through fever
by an old negroes named Aunt Venus. who plays
quite part in the story; but on her recovery her
memory Of past events is all but enirey o5literated
She one day sees young gentleman, smiable as
shepherd Of Arcadia, and much more sensible, who,
it is plain to the experienced reader of novels, is
destined to be the hero of .he tale; but who,
at this, its earlier stage, comes like q shadow
and SO departs. At length Mr.. Bell, in sbedi
ence to his wife's orders, sold Ida and Venus
to q slave trader, who took them South, where
they fell in with the hero Of the story In rather ro
mantle fashion. Walter Varian-that is his name.
pnrcbases Ida, and VcDns il bought by his un sic,
G. aries MsyBard and both are taken to Wynn Hall,
the residence OF Richard Wynn, the husband Of
Charles May nsrd's sister, Emma. Here are intro.
duced number Of new characters-Mf. and Mrs.
Wynn, their dsugt ter Mabel, Charles Maynard, and
others. Wynn Hall is in she Palmetto State. Here
Ida RECEIVERS her powers Of memory SO FAR as to re-
mentioned which leads to tie discovery of her posi-
ton in society and THAI her father e supposed to be
dead and her relatives poor. She is adopted by
Charles Maynard, ard here las the play bills have
1tan interval Of eight years Is supposed 10 elapse
between the close Of chapter nine and the com.
mencefffent Of chapter ten.
In the second part Of the story the interest Is MOI
9uita 20 well kept mp as II is in the first part
Chsrles Maynard dying, Ida becomes an heiress in
small way, there being some slaves among her
possessions, whom she emsncipates. Walter also
emsncipates his slaves, and becomes quite an abo.
i,icDist. In the second part i. all the love.makng
OF the b9ok. What that is, shall leave the reader
to fpd cut. There Is good deal Of antislavery
tax in the course Of the book, and some incidAns;
but, az whole, 1t lacks the nerve Of "Uhcle Toms
Cabin" though a. An artistic production It Is far
superior to that irregular and rambling, but very
powerful tale, or series Of tales The characters are
pot 20 powerfully drawn a. In Mrs: Stoses work
Ida Nay herself Is q charming little woman. and
ore falls in love with her quite easily Mabel Wynn
10 not loving or loveable person. The slave por-
traiiuIes said TO be we'll done but that point
on which sm not qualified to give an opinion.
TIE book will bea reading once, but that many Will
read It secord time do not belle w..
The printing Of books that are not published is get
Some two sre three montbs SINCE Mr. Fields, Of the
bouse Ct Tickner b Rielda, had volume of his
poe nsu printed, for distribution among his
blends. Il ID one Of the finest specimens Of typo
s,aphy that have ever seen, and does great credit
to Mesers. Mttcslt b Co., Of the Cambridge Univer
sity press. The binder has also done bis part, and
both printer and binder have been worthily en-
ployed Mp. Field having written some Of the finest
portions OF American poetry. There is an eeEan q
and grace about his writings tina. not mrpa ,sed
in the productions Of any contemporary poet, at the
came time that there h an abundance Of shas
energy IT expression without which poetry be-
ctmea the most contemplate Of oil things in liters-
Mrs. james Russell Lowelrs poems are mo y 10 be
printed, for private distribution, by her husband,
and Trey will be Der best monument They are, I
ssD. "a be got mp In all the luxury of Typography
ard tee volume win have portrait OF tbe author,
coaste cred TO be very superior Specimen Of the
Gitist's skill.
bate to publish bad news but II may be interest.
ipT, though vexatCus, to Mr.. EAcsulay'a Am rican
sdmi, ers, to know that they must wait twelve
month more for the al.cAdy iong overdue third
end teeA volumes VI biz History Of England 4