New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-15
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

A LONG LOOK AHEAD Or, TIE FIRST STROKE sSD TIE
LAsr. By A. 5. Roe. I2mo PIP 81. j.. 6 Derby.
The former productions Of Mr.. Roe, which
have been received even with warmer greeting
in England than in this country, have prepared
us to expect a marked individuality both in the
conception and style of whatever bears the i'm
print of his name. He exhibits certain qualities
that are rare among most writers of fiction, AMI
which will secure attention 10 all the creations
of his pen. His freedom from imitation is re-
markable in these days, when il is so easy 70
trace the influence Of previous eminent writers
on most popular novels He shows no trace OF
admiration for any of the great lights Of modern
Eterature-we should not even b. surprised TO
find that he was not familiar with their writings
and certainly there is nothing in his manner 70
indicate that he passes much time among books
Of any description. But he is evidently at home
with nature and the human heart. He has Ia
ken lessons from the best of teachers amid the
homeliest realities Of life. Hence, the perpet-
ual freshness Of his delineations, which are never
over-colored, never strained, never aiming at
difficult or impossible effects but which always
read like living transcripts of experience. His
themes are taken from the commonest walks of
life-they are so unideal in their character as to
seem scarcely capable of presenting any materi-
ais for the iInagination-and they derive no charm
from any embellishments of fancy thrown
around them bv the skill Of the author IL is
this exact, minute, unfailing truthfulless of his
descriptions which wins the readers confidence
and prepares him for the touches OF quaint
humor and natural pathos which abound on every
page We rarely meet with 50 much intel
lectual honesty in a fictitious composition Mr..
Roe tells his story like man under oath, though
without any starched formality OF expression.
The test of his success is the permanent i'm
preston which his pictures leave on the men,
DRY. They do not pass away with the excite
ment Of the moment, but remain in the mind,
with the lively c0lors and true proportions of
the scenes which they represent. No popular
writer is so thoroughly American both in his
subject and his style. Human affections as dis
played in the obscure rural life Of New-England
form the staple of his story, and he never goes
far from home either for facts or Illustrations.
Hence the air of palpable reality of consummate
naturalness, which pervades his compositions
With his almost Defoe-lke simplicity Of style,
this faithfulness to nature insures the cordial
reception of his writings among the great mass
of unsophisticoted readers.
Leaving the story, which does not at all de-
pend for its interest ON an intense or cOmpli-
Gated plot, to the researches of personal curios
ity, we will submit one or two specimens of Mr..
Roe's quality in justification of our remarks.
BUYING A HORSE.
There is something peculiarly attractive 70 q man
in the ownership OF "A horse. and especially his first
horse. There IS 10 animal, not excepting the dog,
who seems nearly allied to man. His intelligent
eve and ear, his lofty carriage, his free ami graceful
n otion, his vest strength, his obedcnt temper, and
his indispensable use, all endcar HIM TO u. We love
to look AT his fine proportions to take in the insrl-
ton of his energy and power. We love to feel ou'
mower over him, and think more highly Of ourselves
as we bound through the ali upon his back, aud guide
him and curb him It our will.
Mr. Folger was on horseback, and the colt was be-
side him, held by halter. He was of dark chestnu
color, lis name and tail a shade lighter and disposed
to curl. His body well put together, round aud
snug; bis chest full and broad his legs straight and
well set with white streak around one fore-oo; his
neck and head slender, with bright, clear kind eye,
md q white in his forehead.
The owner, who although keeper of a tavern was
no horse.ockey, said nothing while the young men
were looking al all points of the horse, but handing
the halter to Augustus, allowed them 10 satisfy theh-
selves in every respect.
Gle looks well enough, said Charles, coming up 10
MI Foger though he wished TO hear his account of
him
Gle is a colt; has never had bit in his mouth. |
have not broken him We; because he ia too young to be
put 10 hard service. II were 10 get him TO be
driven, my boys would have him of, and perhaps in
one day ruin him. have therefore LET him remain,
except merely haltcr-breaking him, and you you
do what you please with him. he will lead like an
old horse
"Wi he not be TOO young for us 10 use 7"
He Is too young for anybody 10 use much; he
ought 10 be biied and broken and used little every
day until he is under perfect control II Will take
year AT least 10 get horse trained should wish.
should think if you wished TO train horse for your
future use and to train one 10 your mind, II you wish
horse that has kind feelings asd likes TO be pei;ed
and made much of, don't know where you can find
such another for he has the very best blood in him;
his mother would all-but talk
As Charles had every reason TO believe wha, told
him. he invited Mr.. Bolgcr TO aght and walk into the
oa;-feld.
Itold Mr. Slocum that was willing 10 trade either
for hay or oats but would prefer oats, and would like
them un,hps shed. Ny price for the colt Is fifty dollars.
How many acres have you IN oats :!
"a little SIX acres
"They will Weld about thirty bushels TO the acre,
some little more and some not quite 80 much. You
have cut down the best of them. have noticed the
field while they have been growing. will tell you nj
once what will do; YOU shall cut and bind and shock
up ouohalf the piece you have pretty much onehalf
cut now; aud will come with nay teams and take il
away. and YOU shall have the colt.
The brothers looked steadily at each other moment.
"Just as you say, GUS.
Just as you say, Charley; I'm agreed if you are
" Ii is bargain, sir.
"When shall send nv teams
This afternoon, soon as you please; we shall
90 TO binding Immediately.
As there was no time TO be lost in looking at their
prize then Augustus with him 20 the stable, and
in few moments they were binding away in earnest;