New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-08-18
NemUork DailD E1ibn,si,
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

BBasHA AND LILY; or rHr Parsonage or Beech GLEN A
EonAnee. BY ELIzAbITH oAKEs SMITH u mo pp. 81. j.
OF all the literary productions which have secured
wide fame 10 the author Of this work one of the
most highly gifted Of American female writers, the
present vollme is the most elaborate the most artist
eally finished the most ambitious in its aim and the
most successful in its execution 1t may perhaps be
said that it attempts too much; that the framework
is too extensive for work of imagination and that,
had less space been taken up with reflection and
speculation, more pleasing offering would have been
furnished TO the popular taste. But the writer was
probably well acquainted with her own purpose in
composing the work any of her critics Evidently she
does not covet popularity as the main object. Had
she written with this intent, she would not have ad
bered so nhexibly TO the development Of character,
instead of converting her materials into fascinating
narrative. Nor does she attempt TO conceal her want
Of sympathy with many of the prevailing opinions of
the day. On the contrary her book may be regarded
ms another form of protest against the failure Of the
actual to meet the demands Of the IDEAL IL embed.
les in the garb Of romance, what the author clearly
recognizes as immortal truth The principles of re-
form, both in theories and institutions of which she
has been conspicuous advocate, are here reproduced
with the attractions of poetry and eloquence win for
one Of peculiar difficulty. The movement of the story
IL impeded by the burden Of doctrines which the
writer has it at heart to sustain. The purely re-
Aective reader, on the other hand intent clearing
up his perceptions Of truth, and inpatient Of every
thing but scientific development, regards the ustra-
mons of fancy an intolerable impertinence A
stumbling block is thus laid in the way Of numerous
class, TO overcome which ability or skill
on the part of the writer would be sufficient
In spite of the obstacles alluded 10, Bertha and
Lily considered merely as a story, possesses an I'M
usual degree of interest. 1t is of the books that
compel the reader to nger over its pages even when
other voices call him away. He is enticed by the at
fractions Of the individual Characterization the plot is
devoid Of incident, as hardly TO deserve the
Of romance-be shares in the excitement Of pro-
found mental experimentation the kindling of
noble resolves in timd breastthe triumph of hope
over untold sorrOws-the passage from doubt, mis-
anthropy and spiritual gloom 10 cheerful activity
the gradual penng Of loyalty to the highest truth in
preference to the illusions of of beauty and worldly
passion-unt the final Inauguration OF earnestness
and moral courage in private heart, becomes an OBJ
ect of less intense interest than the issue of wars
or tine fate Of empires.
Az regards the execution of this work-althOugh
we think there are defects in its mode of ruction
it being complication ofautobographies, instead of
a continuous narrative-nO reader of taste fail to
be Impressed with its sweetness and vigor of style,
the rounded finish Of its descriptions, and the frequent
dramatic energy of it's dialogue With the intellect
uaI tendencies of the writer it is pervaded, as Il
matter of course by vein of siivery mysticism,
while tie speculative tone of many portions is CRATE
IN and tla
graceful poetical costume which forms the apprO
pirate sdornment and protection of thoughts such as
are rarely expressed by female pen.
The description of the locality of the scene, in the
commencement of the work, presents agreeable
specimen of the more quiet style of composition of
which the writer has admirable command.
Beech Glen is about hundred miles from the great
city of NeN-York The Delaware flows along amid the
mountains the NeveTsnk out of s way to make
friendly call here upon the master OF waters The Ale
rany Mountains have disposed themselves INTO an anph
heater leaving plateau OF no great space, but OF re
markabe beauty. This was favorlte haunt OF the Ia
dams prior 10 The advent of the white here they
kpded their council fires here celebrated the feast of the
new NOON the harvest OF and here the hunter
found The returns Of the chase compensated wed the labor
of his enterprise. wellwaered valley always de,
sable location 10 the savage as well "a to the clvLed
man the former knows that the soil is fruitful nnder his
imperfect culture and the wild denZens OF the wood seek
il to drink of the stream and feed upon the natural mea-
dows. Then too there something III the great neart
of man. which rejects instlnctvey the monOtony oil tne
pain and the uniuiored yields himself spontaneously
IA an impulse which brings him into relation with tbese
wilder dement's as yet uDtamcd in himself Hence the
Indian sought mountains and caaracts and listened a
those TO the deeper tones of his heart The civilized
seeks them from like sentiment, but more iiuy
dis, erned amid the urgences of rafhc, ana the hardening
shirt of GAIN Hence the Indian canoe in the early set
Element the country disappeared in the valley OF the
Delaware and its level gave place to the hames OF
civilization, dspecng utterly the "igwan ana 'ne sum
ME fe of corn as well the council fire OF the Indian
The wild deer DO longer sake his thirst in the pure wa
ters nor does the Indian maiden paddle her light sk
amid the shadows Now ~ railway E h Threads ne Sag
conceive has usurped the deep melancholy voices oil 'he
woods
The houses of the village have followed the course OF
The valley stepping out into the sunshine OF the river
and low nesting under the clis-one of dwellings,
md the rude but picturesque church, are ranged under
bust as one might say, OF huge mountain, which alter
rising 10 the hight OF many hundred feet divides seli
INTO two smooth, beautiful swells resembling wo,n
breast and thence the mountain is called the PapS Mar
uuring dells exquisite hooks, wld and rugged chasls
abound in the valley. Huge powders are found resting
amid tangled vines and stately trees give resting 70 IN
pumerable birds. Occasionally in winter wolf forced
by hunger penetraies the savage barrier OF rocks IN
oues of food the deer, bewidered IN ms way stay
painting at the gateway of the glen, and men oounus
sdown the vale and is lost amid the woods; Ou ne chei
animals untamed Yet by man, are the FOX ana te raV
bit which may be nigntfa when the moon noos
galley and river with her silvery light stealing across inc
nlan with long nOiseess leaps to hnd seeny else
Altogether Beech Glen is one OF the widest inc loNe-
Los aud most picturesque places OF country nch every
here In beautiful scenery. Three States OF the Union
claim ioothod here at the very point where once was
k,odIed the councii-fTe of the Indian. Inc railway
ti~esds alocf from spot heid saeru ~. ~ en- 20 The
whole world of noise and thrift pass onward WIN e ~
motive as If unconscious Of the spirit OF oe"uy heie
nestled between the MIS- 81, -. !.
One Of the most striking characters n te S'o'! 10