New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
FANNY FERNS NOVEL.


RUTH hall: A Domestic TALE OF TIE PREsEST TINE
BY FANNY FERN. I2mo PIP i0J Mason Brothers.
The qualities which have given such general
eclat to the previous productions OF Fancy
Fern are reproduced in this volume with
certain essential variations and additions. TIE
plot is unelaborate and inarti6cial, hioging on
few simple incidents in the life Of the heroine;
the separate chapters, in many instances, are
complete scenes in themselves and read like in
dependent sketches, without deriving their in
trest from the thread Of the narrative; while
the style has the abruptLess, aud4city, and de-
fance of conventional rules which mxk the
genius Of the author as well rs her pen. The
story abcunds in de scip,ions, hitting OF odd
traits of Cd aracter and interesting natural
scenes, with remarkable effect. Flashes Of
gayest humor alternate with bursts OF deep
patbos, so that the volume Is relieved OF all
peril of moi otony. In its personal delnes.lons,
the tone frequently rises not only to animation
but TO aDimOsity. Faults OF character are
touched of with racy bitterness which shows
Keen relish in the operation. In msoy of the
satirical sketches, the pen seems to have been
dipped not so much in gall as in fire and brm'
presented to the prevailing temper OF the
Fern Leaves" which usually breathe spirit Of
genial human ty, NO less than of exuberant
Rayety. A large class of the admirers OF her
Writings would have preferred to meet the
author in an atmosphere more favorable 10 the
serenity Of true art. The outpourDg OF walls
Of wrath" may indeed prove IN admirable sub
huf
mipple " it'll the deneation of the terrors OF per-
0ition, without importing the grandeur OF the
effect. On this account, We do rot place "huth
Hall" in so high a rank, as work OF magma
ton. az Fanny Fern Ia able to attain. With her
intense vitality of feeling, her warm sympathies
with all human conditions her genuine aPprecla
ton of BObleness Of purpose, aud her hesrtfeit
acorn of pretension, bsseness, and unrealIty, we
think, she might produce d fictitious compost
top, which would take precedence OF her most
popular writings. In the present story, IL would
seem, there 10 little room for invention Ii has
an air of everyday Daturalness about IT, when
makes il read more like a succession OF remInls
cepces than creation of fancy. We have 30
much faith in the ability Of Faouy Fern, as to be
confident of her success in higher ideal sphere
and having ventilated the feelings in which this
volume had its origin, we may predict that her
next venture in imaginative writing vii! be char
scterizcd by the womsnly charities which Il is
one of the nobiest functions Of feminine genlas
to illustrate.
rapid outline Of the story, with one or two
specmens of its portrsitures will save the neces-
.i,v of further comment aud give those of our
readers who have not yet met with the volume
correct notion OF the manner in which IL 10 exc
cuted Ruth Hall is brought upon the stage tae
evening before she was to become bride Sue
had lost her mother at an early sge. Her child
hood had been anything but happy. Young as she
was, lite pains seemed already more to her than
life, n ensures She would wish TO be beautiful
NOT m AZ she might be admired, but that she might
be loved But she was very plain; az least' sue
was told so. by her handsome brother, Hyacln'h
Ellet; she uied in vain TO make MIN love nef q
little; but she could never get into his good
eraoes. A natural antpsthy separated them iroui
the first. Her father, too, old MI tle1 was
little d,mons;rative of paternsl affection lie
was apt TO snub of the poor young thing whiIe
waiting for caress. He loved his money be'eer
than his child. In process of time, Ruth goes 10
a boarding school Here she first wakes to the
consciousness that she had the power of inspiring
love. She was plain awkward Ruth no longer.
Her little form had rounded into symmetry aud
erace-her slow step had become light aud elias
tic-and life was now dear - her. Three years
are pa,sed under the roof of Madame Moreau-
when she once more crossed the paternal TIRES
told-she was an accomplished wonian-pretty
and clever too--and now il isthe night before heb
bridal. u
The next scene introduces us to the "od folks
At home" the father and mOthes of the bride
groom; .;ap,,A.s
"w,p. 1 Aeg< Hary win be happy, sad DIX K" Ia
mo,bsrpaw old Mrs Hah as sne n9ned bsl o.r.
TO- - All the coming OF the bride aud bro. n.
- cant fsy though ihst see ibe need % as ue'us