Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-20
RUTH HALL.

This little book, in which we see reflected, az
from mirror, the very image Of Fanny Fern
of her joys, her hopes, her sorrows, her success
is now before us. Having just perused it we
are hardly an impartial judge Of its real worth.
It has its faults, but they are few. 1t has its
merits, and they are many. Every feature in
| the book convinces us thatit is a portrait and
not a mere picture--and although perhaps there
are many points which are exaggerated, and
many too highly colored by the fair artist, yet
is there strong internal evidence that it is a
faithful likeness. This fact, the actually OF
the book, is what peculiarly recommends it to
the reader.
But, while we speak thus highly of this novel
of Fanny Fern, who persists in yelling her fair
features under this nomme de plume, there are
some respects in which we consider it as unnatu-
raj and wanting in taste. The beauty which at
taches to woman's suffering is the sweet resig-
nation with which it is borne. When resisted,
it loses our sympathy and admiration. IT. then,
the prosecutions and sorrows which Fanny
Fern, under the transparent guise Of Ruth
Hall, depicts, as her own, are not in reality
exaggerated, and contrary to nature, they would
have awakened more sympathy in the hearts
of her readers, had it not been for the spleen,
we will not add the venom, with which she de-
scribes those who were her prosecutors. Nay,
more; we have too much regard for human
nature. we have too much confidence in the
noble impulses Of the human heart, to suppose
that young and defenceless girl would be
discarded by relentless father, prosecuted by
cruel brother, and detested by her nearest rela-
tives, if there had not been some justification
for it in her own conduct. We, therefore, fear
that Fanny has either drawn upon her imagi-
nation for injuries never received, or has ban
ished from her memory the provocation which
she gave to those who have injured her.
These are spots upon the disc, however, rem
dered more perceptible for the brightness
around them. 1t is easier to censure than to
praise, but it is more pleasant to praise than
to censure. And we confess that with these
defects there is much in the book deserving of
the highest Commentator. The noble strug-
giles of helpless woman against poverty and
neglect her Independent selfreliance her gene
rous selfdenial, her patience in adversely, her
calm and placid moderation in success are
admirably portrayed.
Having thus frankly expressed our own esti
mate Of Ruth Hall, which we do more willingly,
because the authoress herself, in her book in
vokes impartial criticism, we subjoin the fol-
lowing graphic summary of the style of the
work, which we have received from the pen Of
an esteemed correspondent:
"No one can fail to enjoy its fresh, vivid
views of life, and admire the fearless indepen-
dence and more than manly tone, which.
strange-to say, pervades the work, without the
loss of one feminine virtue; on the contrary,
il is by no means a . Woman's Rights book.
"There are chapters SO graphic, criticisms so
keen, and satire so bitter, that Dickens himself
might envy her fearless and cutting pen. Then
there is page after page, wailing forth such
sorrow and heartbrokenness, from the hearts
Of the poor, as may touch many chord of
sympathy in hearts hitherto cold or careless,
and, perchance, be the open Sesame to many
well-flled purse. That she knows of love in
its fullest deepest feeling, her first chapters will
soon tell you; and to one who loves children,
there is much to appeal to their hearts in the
beautiful truthfulness Of the pictures she has
SO brightly portrayed