The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-05
Notices OF View Publications.

"Lawer's Story" &c. Garrett & Co New York. This
interesting romance is likely to become exceedingly
popular. Tales Of the sea are always read with In
terest; those portions Of terra fynla which de-
tcribed in the course Of the narrative possess an
interest fully equal to that Of the "briny Deep"
with it's wrecks, its sharks and Its fathomless
DEPTHS. The more We read Of this class Of books
the more convinced are We that novel writer's have
lot drawn enough from the raw material to be
found in Africa and the slave trade there is mine
there which will yield returns for many duodecimo
to come. Such descriptions as the following-of
the negro chiefs At Majumba-win always be read
with pleasure =
negroes board each bearing chief They
were, generally speaking dnc, athletic looking men,
scuptor's clisel, and they all entirely naked,
every opportunity giving Of judging Of their phys
they lad nothing in common with the repulsveness Of
the slave negro in their open countenances. They
egs-not with the handsome regular tattoo Of the South
Sea islanders but with deeply cut gaping black wounds
which had ccarized left frghtful scars the only
drawback to their generally fine appearance The Chiefs
however were disfinguishabe by their uncommon and
unique fnery, which appeared to have been borrowed
from the casto dresses of some theatrical wardrobe
and scrambled for and appropriated by
The garments had probably been the gifts Of various
="
men, who had at different periods visited the coast and
the chiefs certainly presented motley appearance.
One for instance who seemed to think himself of lit
tie Importance, had decked himself out in womans
flannel petticoat which he the red jacket of
Marine while woollen nghtcap covered his head, and
his feet were encased one in dress pump, and the
other in huge boot One had SAILORS jacket only
which he closely butoned around his body while
all the rest Of his person entirely naked. Another
took pride in pair of blue navy pantaoons with gold
lace stripes, but dsdaning the servile fashion Of Grip
Fling the limbs by wearing them in the ordinary man.
ler he them buttoned around his neck with the
legs dangling behind Some had nothing but vests; the
lnee Overwhelmingly however, worn where breecles
ought to be- One stawart savage totally naked other
wise reoieed in pair Of long yoollen hose, drawn up
been cut off at the ancles and ornamented with feah
rs, about the owners neck, and esteemed
most powerful fetish upon which evil eye of man
beast could look and remain scathless; but the
ing glory Of attire that by the celebrated King
Kettle well known in the annals Of the slave trade, and
notorious for his skill and cunning in diplomacy he
having for long period managed to keep equal good
terms with the commanders Of the English ships of
that visited the coast and the captains Of the savers
who constituted his best customers This cunning and
powerful chief, wore old cooked hat which he had
himself gay frnged with feathers; blue dress coat
rather shabby and hreadbare; but the shabbncss Of
which was in great measure atoned for by pair OF Of
dcrs He had stock about his neck but no shirt vest
or pantaloons, although black silk apron was tied
around his waist and hung down in front Of his person.
reaching nearly TO his knees He discarded stockings
probably account Of the heat of the climate but his
feet encased in Butcher boots considerably dilapi
which lie chiefly prided HIMSELF and from which lie had
derived his European appellaon small copper tea
Eetlc, polish TO the utmost brightness which
Eended from his shoulders by leathern strap, aad
tangled against his rosieriors as he walked.
Tie interior contained a varied and valued, If not
valuable assortment OF shells pieces of old iron and
orler, and pebbles, which made most COMPOUNDED
latter as his majesty walked along with naughty stride,
ihe kettle banging against him at every step 1t had
been especially blessed by the sorcerers and was con-
sdered the most powerful fetish in the country and the
source OF all King Kettles power and influence.
Wn nvnI - xh~x
followed the example Of so many modern writers in
rendering vice alone attractive, and throwing sort
Of ridicule upon religion. The following passage
will vouch for the book -
They sat silent for time. At length Zuleika
raising her eyes towards her husbands face said
Dear George have long wanted speak to you on
subject which, nevertLeiess,4 have been delicate in
approaching, because you have mentioned it. You
Enow that old Otho the fisherman, lives near the
creek, has been fayorite Of mine have been
here The old man Is so kind and gentle yet so cheer
full it Is delightful to be in his society He is poor for
lie is growing old and feeble poor fellow and can no
enough to do to obtain support for himself shortly al
Ter you left me-tie last time you went to America,
walked out with Jane to old otios cottage. We found
volume on his knee, which he was perusne earnestly
Ohio can read, though few the island are able to do
so. He was born and educated in Athens and was
grown man when lie came. to this island The volume
was so large and cumbersome, the print was 80 small
could see, and the leaves in many places SO oiled
that felt sorry for the old man. and said
Ohio, since you are SO fond Of reading, win send
yow some Greek books from my library the print Of
which is larger, and which bound in smaller com.
pass That book Il heavy to hold and it must njure
your eyes TO read it,
his pure Greek that Greek like 10 hear him speak SO
different is IL from the Taois the Islands am accus
toned TO Fear, that when he speaks it is though
guage -
Lady he said, am growing old very fast and but
a few years can remain to me; perhaps few months
viii carry me to my grave and all the time now have
toread-for read but slowly, my eyesght is failing
as-s all too little for the study Of the book hold
But repeated, i will lend you some books that
You can read more easily; and you will not much
ii thank you, LADY, he continued; ..your gentle
voice is pleasing the Of the old it recalls to
my memory many happy recollections Of days gone by
feel your kindness; but can you send me book 50
valuable as thisY'
~ smiled but bethought me- the book has belonged
to tlose once dear to him, who more, and it
is wrong in me 10 smile at his simplcity-worn as the
volume is he prizes it highly; and recolleeted how
when you were away, cherished evn faded flower
that you had pluckcd and worn.
win send other books, and stll you can keep
that volume, replied.
:. You mistake me- LADY, he answered, Il will speak
plainly TO you. You are not one who win take offence
from an aged man, who wishes you wen. would that
you would read my old worn, battered volume, in pre-
ference TO the gay books Of which you speak Read
II with me, and to me, lady and you win obge me more
that have doubt good, but which have time
to read
"'Whatt the title oil the book you prize hrhy2
asked for could not help being impressed by the old
mans earnestness.
Lady, he replied, it is the book of bookst is the
Bible.'
''My curiosity aroused Amongst all the books you
had brought me, George you had mover brought me a
Bible. No wonder; you could not think of everything
you already bring too much; and never asked Won
for Bible still, had often read Of II in other vol
umes, and asked old Ohio to let IT, and CHANGING
It's pages promised since his eyesgh was falling
to come the next day and read it to him George YOU
should have witnessed the smile that ilumined his coun-
tenancc. He took my hand -
Lady, he said have prayed for this and now IL
has comc TO Yes lady read that book for me- and
then you will soon read II for yourself
~ went, according to PROMISE and on the next day
read to him from the New TESTAMENT from the GosI
OF St. john At first 1t was dull and ncomprehensible
70 me, and soon began to weary Of IT. and when had
finished reading, and Ohio asked me how liked the
words Of his old, battered volume, told him how felt
Then he explained to me that which mysterious in
Its pages with earnestness and ervor and with eo
quence far above his condition, that almost fanced
that he was inspired like the holy men he spoke ofand