Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-07-17
A New Book by a western Lsdy.

| we nave read with an uncommon interest
Life Sketches from Common Paths, by Mrs. De-
MONT. and We cannot withhold an expression of
our high appreciation Of the genius Of the wri-
ter, and Of the interesting character Of her
sketches.
The book is not novel. though the whole
series Of sketches are so connected as TO pro-
duce more the aspect Of unity and design, than
most regular novels do. The author presents ns
first living picture Of a company of school
boys assembled in grove, i'm village near
one Of our most beautiful cities. TO celebrate
INDEPENDENCE Dar.
The place Of assemblage is thus described:
II was grove, the heavy shadow Of whose
ancient trees lay upoH a bright, smooth green
sward, thickened by recent suns and shower,
into the richest Of verdure. From the root Of
an aged elm, whose great depth of shade flung
perpetual coOlness. there gushcd up the spark
ling waters of a living fountain. stirring ia
silver sands into ceaseless motion, and sending
ont low, perpetual music on the wide stiffness
| Of the scene"
Here the joyous company Of juveniles spent
| the hours of the glorious National Holiday in
innocent delights, with occasional touches of
such patriotic sentiment as boys are wont 10
interchange on the Fourth Of July.
Forty years had nearly passed away, whea
one Of the company took a fancy to issue in the
public papers his card. inviting the surviving
members Of the party 10 a reunion on the en-
suing Natio,al Anniversary in the sane Sc
questered grove, which had happened to escape
the rayages of what the world calls Improvement
and yet retained its primitive eesnty.
In answer TO the invi'ation, there came At
the hour and place appointed, a small COR
pany, the remnant of the joyous band who SO
long ago had made that grand old forest ring
with their merry shouts. Beneaih the old Elm
that waved over the fountain, they again re-
clined on the green sward, and lived over again
the past.
The varied incidents in the life of each of
the surviving members Of the party. together
with remsmbrances of the departed, as related
under the old Elm. or in the family circle, form
the series of sketches which compose the book
The sketches are bold and life-iike. The in-
eidenis are varied, and many Of them of Thrill
ling interest. "TAe SOIIier's Son. "7ae Young
Physician "a THE Family History" and 'Ash,on
Cry" are among the most deeply affecting
stories We have ever read
The style OF Mrs. DUuoSr is pure, dignifed.
and beautiful, even elegant. The sentences are
clear and well arranged. and the language most
choice. In her style alone. to say nothing of
the moral sentimspt of her writings. Mrs. u.
axh ri fla -
as well as Of the most refined taste.
Nor is the moral sentiment Of the sketches
inferior in purity and power TO the exquisite
beauty Of the style.
No one. with any susceptibility, to moral
beauty in his nature, can read these sketches
without being made better. His intellectual
taste must be gratifed. and his moral senii-
ments awakened.
Mrs. DVNoSr designed her work, as she in
forms us in the preface, az gift TO her children
Her remarks on this point are so touching and
beautiful, that we can but give then 10 the
reader:
"a group of bright haired boys. upon
whom she looked with all the passion Of n
mothers love, and in whose earnest eyes she
read future Of mingled fear and hope, were
around her as she wrote. But with MANY n
daily claim upon mothers strength, she was
slow to complete the purps.ed Offering Life
and death-life, with its ambitious calls. ard
death, with its withering grasp, made haste to
bear from her those who had ilspired the effort
Those earnest eyes were at length lifted to her
no longer. Silence bad fallen where young and
cheerful voices responded TO the evening tale.
After years of sorrow, during which her sick
heart forgot its long cherished purpose, she has
been induced once more 10 resume her task, and
upon finishing the series of Der tales, TO give
them 10 the public"
Aud We devou;ly thank her, from our
heart Of hearts, for the gift not only 10 her
own surviving children, but to the children
e the people. We have not the pleasure
of personal acquaintance with the estima-
bic author Of these sketches, but we shall not
soon forget the pleasure and profit we have de
rived from the fruits OF her maiured mind and
her elegant pen. Her skillful hand has touched
in our heart the chords Of emotion, long un-
strung and tuneless. She has re-opened the
fountains Of feeling long closed and sealed. A
thousand hearts will vibrate TO the sentiments
Of honor, and OF love, and Of hope, which she
inculcates. Her book We can place in the hands
of the children we love. feeling assured that the
lessons il teaches are lessons Of wisdom and Of
virtue. l.