New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-22

The authorship of this po xerful story has been
ascribed by some highly intelligent critics to Mrs.
Beecher Stowe. The presumption of such an
origin is, certainly, distinguished compliment.
II is almost an assertion of the superiority of Ida
Nav to Uncle Toms Cabin. No one would sup
pose that Mrs Stowe, in the enjoyment of her
high and pslmy literary prosperity would venture
upon another antislayery novel, unless she had
found materials for still more admirable crea-
ton than her former extraordinary work.
But We differ entirely from the ju1g nent' al
luded to in regard to the author of Ida May. 1t
bears few traces of the pen of Mrs. Stowe. In
deed, apart from it's subject, We find no feature in
its composition that reminds us strongly OF fhat
vigorous and rscy writer. Mrs. Stowe has more
dramatic power. and greater intensity OF feeling
than are displayed in this story. Her plot 10
more consistent and natural-bears deeper i'm
press of real lite-and is pervaded by more
vivid and indignant sense of the evils attacked,
than that of Ida May. On the other hand, the
writer in question has more repose, more dignity,
more completeness of 6nish-her plot Is more
elsborately constructed her style is more In
accordance with the best models The great de-
feet of the story is the improbabity of its lead
ing incidents. Even if they have foundation in
fact, it s that kind of fact which is stranger
than iction and finds few parallels in actual ex'
perience. The heroineis lovely child of white
parents, who is kidnapped by some southern
slave dealers, at tender age; is transformed,
apparently, into little negress; and sold to ser
vice on plantation. BY series of incredbeturns
of good fortune, her psrentsge is at last discov'
cred, she RECEIVERS her freedom, makes friends In
her forsaken condition, and finally becomes an
heress and owner Of slaves herself Her decl-
sion TO free the slaves who had fallen to her by
legacy forms one Of the pivotal elements in the
plot. ard furnshes the motive for several situa-
tons which are managed with great adroitness
and effect. But the intrinsic improbablllty oil me
whole conception greatly mars the interest OF the
work 40 a consecutive story, and leaves the read
err dependent on the energy and patbos OF isolated
passsges In this point of view the work ia truly
admirable. 1t exhibits less power of construction
than description; but, as succession OF scenes
and conversations, it must take very high rank
among recent fictitious compositions. The spe-
cimens of negro dialogue are rendered with int
mite spirit, and were evidently obtained from
personal observation at the South. Ia the delin-
cation of character, an excellent point is msde IN
the contrast between Ida May and Mabel wynn,
who present striking Instance OF natural anti
pathetic organizations manifested by their inev-
liable fruits when brought into intimate contact.
The portraitures of these persons indicate gen
uine insight into human nature, and are shaded
of with a nice and delicate discrimination, which
betrsys az artist whose touch has no less accuracy
than strength.
The evil effects of slavery are treated OF rather
incio entay than directly, and slwsys without
bitterness We do not know why the book should
not be read With satisfaction at the South as for
chile representation of local customs and scenery.
1t ss.uredly has but few diatribes against the in
stituton, the natural results of which furnish
such abundant materials for forcibe description.
The writer was clearly less intent on "pointing 9
moral" than Oh " adorniDg a tale" In this
respect, We find another difference between Ida
May and Uncle Tom. We read it more for the
sake of the interest inspired by the narrative,
than as 80 argument, in picturesque form, against
the perpetuity of human bondage. On this a.
count, it will find access TO large class of read
ers who would have been repealed from it's pages,
had they been more fully imbued with anything
like sectarian anti. slavery spirit. But abstain
ing from further comment, we will at once dip
into the story for some of its pearls.
into the hands of an old negro woman, whom con-
slant provocations had ripened into fend. The
scenes which ensue afford some of the best de-
scriptve passages in the volume.
Her appearance WAS perfectly hideous. Her gray
hair hung in elf locks over her neck, from under the
dirty cotton handkerchief that bound her Drows, and
her face, tawny, and wTinked, and scanned with age
was STAMPED with every rad passion. Her form was
bent and she covered with short gown and BET.
ticoat dirty and patched that il was difficult 10
tell Of what color or material the original WAS COM
posed and her hands and fingers, bony long and
claw Ike, resembled vulture taons than an y.
thing human.
Such was the being who now rose from her seat be-
side the door, and taking the pipe from her mouth,
sald, with some appearance If curiosity "Hillo
what dat Reckon yer done rob de white hen rOOst
dis and ftpdisb expression passed over her
face, az she stretched forth her snaky fingers and
burying them in the cbids curly hair drew her TO-
wards herself The act and her irghtal appearance,
caused Ida to cry with pain and terror There Z is
again. said Bill; that's just the way It's been
every minute Of the time the gall been awake, since
we started. Shut up, there tell YER"
Gosh what's the good o tellin her 70 shut Up %
said Chloe. "Dey alters cries dat way till you gets
en- broke IN. Cgin for your nanny p she added,
addressing the child; got nanny, ant ye?"
20, DO, mo-" sobbed Ida, poor mammas dead.
and pspss all alone o. do let me 60 back to papa!
Sorry yer mammy's dead, said Chloe; wish she
warn T. ter snows how she'd feel to have ye toted
Of,-hOw she'd cry %, wouldn't she, though and
tear her hair maybe. How I'd like to see her,
wouldn't IL Hasn't seed de niger women cry so
sben ldere chillen was toied off 10 be- sold .
don't / member when dey took nv dar,er % don't