Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1854-12-14
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
AMABEL. A Family History. BY Mary
Elizabeth Wormeley New York Bunce
e. Brother 1854.


g. Brother. 1854.
This work is from the pen Of the accom-
plished daughter of the late Rear Admiral
Wormeley, Of the British Navy, whose
family still reside in this city.
This story, remarkable for the intensity
of the sentiment it embodies, for its vigor-
Gus and polished diction, great range Of
scene and character, and for an originality
and energy developed by the principal per-
sons figuring in it-Captain Warner, ANA
bel (the heroine), and Ferdinand Guscard
(who originates the stormy action Of the pi-
loD-may be looked upon as decided sue
cess. Singular in its structure, it embodies
four great phases of wonan's life, of
which love is the active element ; and,
though somewhat complex, there is no con-
fusion or intricacy beyond that which is
perfectly legitimate. Amabel, daughter Of
a giddy and almost universal mother, is TAX
ell by an unrefned uncle, and brought up
by him at Malta. 1t is there she is seen by
an eccentric physician, Doctor Glassock
quite an original by-the-by), whose cynical
morality does her no bad service, and from
whose knowledge and attainments she
gathers the best lessons and learning, both
alike destitute of worldliness or convention
ality. She is an impulsve child Of nature,
ingenu Gus to such degree as, under cer-
tain aspects, TO make her conduct as &C.
centric, at times, as that of her growing
friend and tutor. A young French sea Of
fcer is brought wounded and prisoner 20
Malta lin Captain Warmers vessel), and
this Frenchman (Feix Guscard) she falls
in love with. Here now begins one phase
of her life, painted in hues the most daz-
zling (; but unfortunately he is removed
from her at a moment and under circum-
stances, when the moment and the event
are the most important in her life for
loving him unreservedly, he is made to APP
pear to her as unworthy, dishonored, and
deserving her from thesbasest motives. This
blow strikes Amabel sharpest in her tender
est part. Time elapses, however, events go
on, and she is in England, welded to Capt.
Warren, who had produced her proofs of the
death Of Felix-he having also broken his
parole, for it is now war time but wed
ded to worthy, brave, and honest man, her
domestic life is rendered miserable by his
mother, his friends, and all surrounding her.
At this time Ferdinand Guiscard appears,
with the intention Of avenging upon Capt.
Warner the death of his brother Felix, of
which, however, the Captain is is really in
nocent, the whole unhappy matter arising
from the freak of fuddled first lieutenant.
Another dark and desolating phase of Ana
bells life is at hand. She is compromised by
Guis card, and believed by her husband to
be guilty, and altogether very worthless
Here we have two or three scenes, where
the powers and abilities of the authoress
are most effective. Then follow duel, re-
pudiation, separation, and terrible anguish,
and Amabel surrenders every hope formed.
Years again passed by, and tempests and
battle hunger, and the plague, have by
turns taken Warner in their strong grasp,
and when almost dying in his pague-spot-
cd ship, without help or succor, Amabel,
despite danger and obstacle, plays the part
of ministering angel by his side and it is
here that the heroism of the woman ap-
proaches sublimity /; and though storm
drives the drifting bulk from her moorings
to.the shres of Brittany, and wreck follows
after, love, the victorious, watches over both,
and, like blessed STAR lights them to shell
ter and safety, ard the bitterness of the
past is lost in the happiness ofthe present,
and in the promise Of the future. Some
splendid. writing gives to these sceness
character Of the greatest dramatic force,
allied with true tragic dignity, while the
personagesofthe tale are all drawn by mas
ter-hand. 1t is, in effect, perfect as work
of its class, having little in common with
the stereoiyped plot or people fthe ordinary
novel.
For sale by c. E. Hammett, Jr.
LOVE IN IpLEsrss. A beautiful story
New York: Bunce d Brother. 1854.
This is an exceedingly interesting story,
and is written in very pleasing manner;
it is published at the low price Of 25 cents.
For sale by C. +. Hammett, Jr.