New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-26
mont, white.wsshed scoundrel, i. drawnto the

mltlghted NulalD, SUCH as Is rarely deIlneatod Dv
female writer's. In admirable contrast with this
black hearted wretch is Aunt Margaret who is
the good angel Of the story, and a noble spsc.-
men Of wise, selfsscrifcing and lovely woman
bsOd. Miss Jewsbury's great forte is the devel-
opment Of character. Her power Of descrip-
ton is surpassed by several popular writer's; nsr
does her narrative, though spirited and often
brilliant, exhibit traits of unsppreachabls excel
lence; but in the distinct and sharp individual
ty in which she presents the chief personagss of
her story, she has not many rivals 10 our current
literature.
"Moredun ia the work which has recently
been produced in Paris as pOsthuuous novel OF
Sir Walter Scott. Ii is preceded by pomPous
introduction with the signature of the "prOpri-
etor," N. dc Saint Maurice Csbany, who re-
joices in sundry obscure literary titles, but who
still makes out q very lame story in regard to
the manner in which the manuscript came into
his hands. He wishes US to believe that he OBJ
tanned it as o legacy from an eccentric old Ger
man with whom he became acquainted at Pans.
With this person he sustained intimate relations
about thirty years ago. Having aided him IN
some statistical inquiries to which he was de-
voted, the proprietor received frequent eI-
pressions of gratitude accompanied by mystic
rious hints that a certain ancient writng-desk
contained treasure more valuable than any Pc
cuniary amount which he could bequeath to
him. Among the other oddities of the Old hu-
morist, as be was regarded, was the frequent
assertion that he was the pOssessor of an origi-
nal manuscript of the great Scottish novelist,
Sir Walter Scott. He had procured this, ac-
cording to his statement, through the interven-
ton of Mr.. William Spencer, who was an init
mate friend Of Scott, and to whom he had been
of some underlined service. This assertion of
the queer German gentleman was regarded as
harmless halucnatioD; he soon after died 10
misfortune and poverty; his widow and daughter
left Paris; and tho portentous writng-desk
gradually faded from remembrance. But Oh 8
fine day of last September the astounded "pro-
prietor" received box containing the identical
article, with note from the daughter of the
deceased giving most improbable explanation
of the reason of it's detention from the person to
whom it belonged by her fathers dying request
On opening the desk, the veracious proprietor"
assures us that he found collection of roysst
tracts relating to the Restoration, and the man.
uscIipt of the present volume. 1t was accom-
panied by letter from Sir Walter to William
Spencer, dated at Paris, Nov. A, 1885, and
giving him permission to present it to his &c daft
friend, the foreign mOnomauiac;" his consent
having been obtained by the solicitation of his
daughter Anne, who for long time had kept the
manuscript in her possession. This story Is OF
too apocpphal character, on its face, to gain
credence with any class Of readers except those
who regard Diedrich KnckerbOckers saddle
bags and cooked hat as literal verties The
authenticity of the story receives little better
support from internal evidence. 1t reads like
an awkward imitation of Scott's historical style,
with now and then passage which bears toll
cradle degree Of resemblance to the original.
A score of such novels, however, would have
been sufficient to wreck the reputation of the
writer, if believed to have proceeded from the
pen of the author of " Waverley."
SPEECHES AND ADDRESSES. BY HENRY w. HLLtIRp
8yo, pp. lg7. Harper Brothers
Mr.. billiard was member of tho Alabama deega
ton in Congress from 1915 to 1851 and participated in
the discussion of most of the great questions which
during that Jerod were the objects of national egsla
ton Tho volume now issued contains his speeches on
the Oregon question: the Mexican War tue Policy OF
President Polk the Governments Of the New Terrific
res. the Admission of California, and several other
topics of permanent interest Beside his COnges-
sonal speeches have several occasional dlscourses
including euogies on President Harrison Henry Clay
Daniel Webster and Charles Carroll Mr.. billiards.
views on many subjects OF national policy, as might
be expected GO not accord with our own; butwe
have no wish to deny him the merit of lucid and
earnest statement of his opinions, skllful command
Of argument and often great force and eoquence OF
expression His style has little of the rhetorical Hash
and fustian which are the fashion with many stump-ora-
tors at the South but on the contrary its grave aud
dienified tone il in keeping with the decorum of
deiberatyo assembly. proper occasions no makes
happy use of historical Illustrations, showing con-
siderable reading and research. He is not always
free from local and sectaran preudiccs, to the iaHa
ence of which may be ascribed vehement assault
which he makes on Theodore Parker, tempedng his
vituperaton, however, with the admission that "heis
a man Of immense genius, though perhaps the most
graceless of ali living men,"
rrpST ROCK OF COMPOSITE ~. BY !. BR0oGFIELD.
Igno., PIP. 80. A. >. Barnes Co.
The purnose of this little mammal is to furnish the
Younger classes in composition with practical aid
ndeped to the first stages of progress 1t presents
series of subjects of familiar interest with appropriate
questions intended to suggest leading points OF we"
and place the inexperienced writer ON safe track
The plan is novel and ng enious and is skiluy car
ried out Objections doubtless exist to commencing
ianffh no rlk