Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-08-29
"HENRY VERNON, OR THE DREAM"

mHENRY VERNON, OR THE DREAM"
THIS is the title of new novel; whose publication
ha. been looked for, with growing impaiience, ever
since It was first advertised being in press This
lively curiosity to see the forthcoming Romance we
presume proceeded mostly from the general belief that
its author, under the non de plume of GEORGIAN,
was no less parsonage than that able ~riter coure
GUS Editor and accomplished gentleman, JAMES VI.
SMYTH of Augusta.
Disguised with the usual trashy publications of the
day. called novels, confess that Of late We nave
not had taste nor inclination to pod through but little
of the modern stuf-and although multiplicity Of
business engagements, added to increased acquan
ance with the stern realities Of practical life, have
diminished our fondness for prose c,ions, yet We are
frank to admit that we too formed high expectations
of HENRY VERNON" and that those expectations
have not been disappointed.
The characters are numerous and we'll preserved
Americans, English, French and Spa1ards all move
upon the STAGE and the laid in the same
countries whence the actors drawn. ample scope
is thus furnished the author for ndugng his vast and
accurate powers of description, which, in our humble
Judgment are unsurpassed by any writer Of the present
day. 4 faithful picture is given of the revolutionary
and bloody times Of Ferdenand VII, of Spain, when
the crueltes of that monster yrant and the intrsnes
of Louis PHILIPPE, allowed the proud, passionate,
Jealous suspicious ard rerengeful Spanlards 10 run
riot in the use Of the stieo and the horrd arts OF
| Cesar Borgia. Yet there is nothing in ''HENRY
VERNON to offend even the f,stdous delicacy,
while its style is pure English undeiled The whole
tale interspersed with sound principles and elevated
sentiments to which no correct taste can object.
We predict for this novel a widespread and perma.
nent popularity, unless it be that people from con-
s,an,ly perusing the vicious and low productions OF
Sue Reynolds and others of That school, have lost oil
relish for the high morality and refined feeling o:
Scott Irving and the other masters in light reading
The mass of men may damn Henry VERNON for
its very virtues but the udcious few, at least will
appreciate the bold effort of its author 10 restore
healthy tone to our polite literature.
Having said this much in just praise Of the work,
we feel bound likewise, as a faithful journalist, to
state that it has some slight faults, according to o'''
rules of criticism Perhaps the quotations are too
profse, and it may be that the dialogue is at times
too heavy, in consequence of the authors eminent
descriptive faculty, giving his speakers the character
of essavists As natural result, the interrogative
and EXPLANATORY sentences are too few, while the
declarative are 100 many and the conversation Of the
characters is not divided enough to give variety and
spirit and point to what is said.
But these two little faults easily be corrected in
future, and they may be explained by the fact as the
author tells US HIMSELF that the book il tho offspring
of few hours, snatched occasionally from private
cares and official duties" We shall sincerely hope to
see the promised "KINDRED VISITOR" OF " HENRY
VERNON and to this end, we earnestly recommend
our readers to reward AGEonGrAN" for what he
has done, and to encourage him in the noble task
wi ich ho proposes to undertake for the special benefit
Of the South and the cause of American literature.
The book can be had by addressing JAS NJ. SMYrHE
Augusta, Ga. Single copies IS cents-Clubs OF three
or more; at so cts. each.