The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-30
Gbe &s6iem.

WHICH: TIN RIGHT OK THE LEFT. New York: Garrett
Co. 1855.
Who is the author of this book? we have
several times said to ourselves, while perusing
its pages. In portions it reminds sometimes
of one writer, and sometimes again of another,
and yet we have been unable to fasten it on
any one. The object is apparent enough,
and the means by which its author seeks to
reach it are not less clear. There are many
truths which tell home on hollow-hearted pro-
fession. 1t is with no soft hand he rends off
the covering that wells hypocrisy. His medi-
Garments are of the severest kind the scarifer
and the saw are used without mercy. When
he probes, he means to 60 down deep, even to
make his subject feel and vince, as his touch
reaches the quivering nerve. Yet we some
what question the success of his treatment
The aim is good-to draw the line between the
Church of the World and the Church of Christ
and, in doing it, he hits rudely enough variety
of evils which deserve q stern rebuke But
the general strain is too bitter, too caustic he
deals too much in sarcasm and irony. The
author is evidently capable of gentler moods,
q
graphic pen. Some of his characters are drawn
| with great distinctness Of outline, and are well
sustained. He can throw into his pages Incl
dents of touching interest," and move the heart
with a natural sympathy; and he has done it.
But he is too fully possessed by his object of
scathing the inconsistencies of his fellow-men,
to dwell often or long on these more grateful
aspects of life. He does not, therefore, make
all he might of his better characters, such as
Miriam and Samuel. Some of the positions in
which they are placed are no more happily
managed than in the case with Isabella, and
the heartless Mr.. Brigham, MIR. Townsend, and
others. With much that is straightforward in
tho STYLE. it is not wanting in afectation. 1t
bears marks also of haste in composition, which
| serious revision would have remedied. Yet the
author, whoever he may be, shows that he is
capable of better things. 1t is book respect
ing which there will be varying judgments.
We have given our own, and it may be few or
none will agree with us. But there is many
train of reflection that will be started by its Pc
rusal, and, we would hope, some hearts made
better, even by the severe rebukes it contains,
| since "Better are the wounds of friend than
the deceitful kisses of an enemy" 1t will not
be the last time, we presume, that he essays
his powers, and we hope it may be hereafter in
| a. calmer mood. S.
ARcHY moore THE WHITE SLAVE; or, Memoirs of Flu
gitive. With Introduction, prepared for this edi
ton BY Richard Hidreth New York and Auburn ::
Miller, Orion, Mulligan. 1855.
Many of our readers are no doubt familiar
with this work; the greater portion of it was
originally published in 1886, under the title of
The Stare; or, Memoirs Of Archy Moore"
Even then the anonymous book received high
commentator, as literary production evin-
Give of superior talent, from well known edit
ors, who wholly dsapproved of its object. But
esty set upon it the seal of his unqualified ap-
probation. 1t now appears, enlarged by the
addition of several chapters and the name of
Richard Hildreth as its author, well known to
be no common man or writer, gives ample con-
frmation to the former statements of the abil-
ity with which the tale has been wrought up
1t is indeed one of those volumes which, how
eves men may agree or disagree with its aim,
they cannot willingly let die. 1t enchains the
reader with its well-wrought, though saddening
pictures of life. 1t stirs up the sympathies
| that may lie hidden far down in the BOSOM
and one must be made of the sternest stuff in
| deed, who has not heartbeat for man so
! struggling for the boon of freedom, priced by
all who know the object of their creation as
moral beings. 1t claims to be based on fact !;
but whether so or not, it wears all the air of
verisimilitude, and makes an impression of
reality. 1t is series of shifting scenes in the
| life of one who thinks and feels as true man,
and struggles forward against every adverse
thing that may hinder his reachiug his aim
now, though lured by comparative ease and
enjoyment, never forgetting it; and now, though
inwrapped in midnight darkness, and seeming
ready to fail, never despairing. His efforts are
crowned with success, and the reader, after
having been borne on with him amid peril, and
doubt, and difficulty, at last rejoices with him,
too, in the disenthralment, not only of himself
but of his family. The book, though probably
one of the prohibited +" in parts of our coun-
Try, VIII nave readers, even There anu us sue
cess has been so decided in its present form,
that its future influence cannot be regarded as
problematical. Richard Hildreth's pen has
done good service in the cause of freedoms
literature, and never will there be wanting
multitudes, when he steps forth to the reading
public, to give him hearty greeting. S.
THrrsx The Witness of Reason and Nature 10 an All.
| wise and Bencfcent Creator By the Rev John Tu
loch, d. d. New York Robert Carter 4 Brothers
| For sale by Gray Ballantyne, Washington, d. c.
This work obtained the second of the Burnett
prizes, lone of f6O0,) lately distributed, the
same which, in the first distribution, some forty
years ago, was obtained by the present Arch
bishop of Canterbury. The names of the
judges who made the recent award-Isaac
Taylor, Henry Rogers, and the Rev. Baden
Powell-no mean men in the literary, scientific,
and religious world, need only to be mentioned,
70 show that any work, to have been successful