Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-15
From the Richmond Enquirer.
IIpERARY

LITERARY.
THE HIDDEN PATH: BY Marion Harland au
thor of"Alone. Z" Published by j. @. Derby, New
York. Courtesy Of Mr.. A. Morris.
Let this noble production 1--WE use the adjective
in its fullest sense) lie upon the table, enliyen the
hearth, be the household companion of every true
hearted Virglnian. Foster this gifted daughter
of the South with the expanding sunshine Of APP
probation, the refreshing dews of praise--stimu-
| late undeyeloped genius, which has never yet
| 'penned It's inspirations" TO walk in her steps,
emulate her achievements, and share her honors;
/ lei Virginia produce few more such writer's, and
the cry that the South has no literature of its
own is senced forever The Hidden Path is a
work that North or South, East or West, may
point to with the finger of honest pride and say,
"our daughter sends this message to the world
pours this balm into wounded hearts--traces
Tor wavering, erring feet this Hidden Path,
which leads To the great goal of eternal Peace
We extract one passage, in which the author
ess has spoken, through the lips of her heroine,
the utterances of her own soul-but spoken them
IN all modesty, without dreaming that they would
be applied TO herself; for her language is az free
rom all self-glorifcation as the spontaneous
warbling of bird, whose song gushes uncon-
scously forth, because Heaven fashioned il to
sing.
The following dialogue occurs between Isabel
(the poetess) and Frank, her something more than
FRIEND though less than lover:
"You used to approve Of my writing, Frank
Did act unwisely during your abseneei If you
had been here when was solicited TO publish the
volume now in press, what would been your
counsel 7"
Precisely what was given by those who know
and love you best. | should have said, as have
done since, Isabel, you are a genus-ought not
to, If you could-cannot, if you would, conceal
it.. The sun never says, Il shine Light is his
essence, without which he would have no being.
As spontaneously generously do you difuse your
radiance; glorying, like him. in your strength,
not because it is yours, but that it confers happ-
ness upon others. Are you answered."
With an irrepressble impulse of gratitude, she
caught his hand and bowed her face upon it,
His smile was yet more tender. ''The suspi-
cion that thought of you, while describing the
unnatural pretenders to the name of woman was
more I'M ust to yourself than to me- If you can
forgive, will forget it. But the laurel-wreath,
which they have smothercd their hearts to OBJ
tain, is ready for your temples. 1t is your birth
right, voted to you, moreover, by the acclama-
ton Of your subjects; and you will wear it roy
ally"
g do not want it., Frank No woman covets
IT, while the roses and pansies blossom within
her bosom. ! have no ambition to acquire fame.
This is why wished you to understand me. |
am happy! Not flower peeps from beneath my
feet; not bird MARBLES; not breeze signs, but
has lesson Of beauty and goodness and truth
for,mc. | am never lone y-never sad! How
can be, when my heart is full of life and Joy,
and love for all things and Him who made them?
My friends lavish upon me what my spirit most
esres-aiiection-.andm my breast swels with UNI
swervng devotion. Before knew life, thought
-others-many-as blessed as myself, but grad
ualy, wonderngly, j became aware of the misery,
the selt-love, the ignorance of everything that
makes man most happy, that prevail in the world
and, with the authority of an inspired command,
the conviction dawned upon me that ] had my
mission; that freely as had received, it was my
duty to give; not merely TO those in the limited
sphere of my personal influence, but TO the toll
ing, suffering masses whom my pen could touch.
IL is my sceptre. Formerly it was my plaything,
handled familiarly for my recreation, and 10 pro-
mote the enjoyment of my home circle. cannot
tell you how it is endeared, sanctihed to me by
its uses. thought--Hke a bright-winged seraph
from the cline of the blest-come to me, diffusing
perfume and light through my heart know
that far away, perhaps, earth-wearied soul is
sinking beneath her load, and say-there is
hope and peace and blessedness in store for you
As to my sister, partaker of my Fathers love, |
bring you a message. have seen a flower,
Frank, which, growing upon the upper stem, re-
ceiyed more Sunshine and rain than its lowlier
mates, screened by the branches, and bowling, il
sent the glittering drops down TO the welting
petals below. My cup brims-overfows Shall
deny the refreshing shower TO dry and thirsting
hearts, where no water is dare not; should
deserve curse if did ~
We do not give synopsis Of the plot of the
book, for this is 10 forestall the reader, and di-
minish his Interest," practice "more honored in
the breach than in the observance. Suffice it
to say that the heroine is the daughter of a Vir-
gna planter; her struggles and trials perform the
uses for which trials are sent-the achievement
of Iiie's great victories-such victories as the
breath Of Fame never heralds TO an approving
world, but which angles voices trumpet on high
before the throne oftheir King.
The young authoress speaks in the most affcc-
tionate manner Of Virginia dear old customs,
and Virginian characteristics; but the enthusiasts
tic pride with which she dwclls upon her South
ern homo is free from shadow of sentimentality
or affection. May her gifted pen be the pioneer
TO many more such hidden paths" as the one
she has explored