Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-09-04
MOSS SIDE, BY MARION HARLANI1 AUTHOR
OF "ALoSE" AND "THE HIDDEN PATH New
York nOFk; Derby & Jackson. fRscsved frof the pno


OF "ALoSE" AND "THE HIDDEN PArt.' New
lishers.
'resh production from the fluent pen okMay!ou
harlahd Is certain of a warm greeting from al ths
lovers oil the pure, the beautiful the ennob,iag E
literature. Her powers as writer are no longe: 3
matter Of question upon which critics can decide;
they can no longer dispute her claims to this or tla:
laurel, or throw the shadow of their caviIs upoIsNe
grsenness. The truest critic is the gres! public sh
buys the book reads it, loves it, watches for it's sue
cessor and utters involuntary "well done" as thu
last leaf il closed. The unerring voice OF the multi
tude has pronounced Marion Harland among the fre:
of American female writers. The echo of that voice
has sounded across the water to foreign lands AID
been responded to in foreign tongues Our readers
are aware hat"Alone' and "The Hidden Path" have
been translated into several languages and have
found hosts Of delighted readers in Europe. What
surer test can there be Of popularity All the oarpinS
of the most sspent critics cannot steal from such
success one atom Of its reality.
High as her first work placed her, with each sue.
ceeding volume. she has taken step onwsrd-has
reached new round of the steep ladder of Fame
"Moss Side" is q more artistic work than her two
II evinces deeper insight into human nature-espe
cialy into womsns nsture-the Deep mysterious well
springs Of womsns heart. The dcdon OF this last
book is perhaps more carefully correct, more polish
ed and yet it has lost none Of the morning freshness,
the humanity loving warmth, the unstuded elo
quence, the natural grace Of style, which character
lied her former efforts.
The mental conflicts of Grace Lsigh-the yielding
up her idol at the command of the angel, Duty-ths
temporary hardening Of her heart through an uDmer
ted sorrow-he touch Of little child upon it's rocky
surface, commanding the waters to fow snew-the
gradual regeneration of her chasened soul-ber holy
self.renunciaton and triumph-the descent of the
dove of peace upon her purified spirit-cal to mind
the poets declaration
"In the flaming bush, the martyr
May lofty courage show;
With pure, intrepid srdor,
Freedom's chief TO battle 90,
But, my maiden In the combat
OF thy motives, good and bad.
Thou hast shown as true a mettls,
Thou as great a triumph hdd!'
This contest and victory furnish the impressive mo
raj of the narrative. 1t is one that may teach pa
tlsuce to some who groanng beneath the weight
of uncomprehended aflction. It may open blilced
eyes to see the mercy Of the hand that smites II
may change murmurs to prayers and thanksgiving.
Nothing can be more faithful than the pictures OF
domestic life in Virginia. Then, the characters o,
"Moss Side" are deineated with reality that forces
the reader ESPECIALLY if be be Souberner, to feel
| as though he constantly recognize familiar friends
We experienced this sensation, in particular, whilo
forming the acquaintance Of Mr.. Peytou, the Virgi
mia planter, with ever open heart and hand, doing
good in secret, and blushing at bis own virtues
hiding them under an almost awkward exterior, and
never dvining that n his goodness he became g.es:
We have grasped the hand Of such men, in Virginia
but never remember to have seen one SO accurately
represented by pen and ink portrait.
| The child. Lias, Is thread Of gold running
through the mesh of the plot and throwing light
upon some sombre portions Of The web.
The sketch of "the maiden sisters, three" Mss
Judy, Miss Susan, Miss Malvins, and their punov-
| ing brother has Cruckshanks touches about it, ir
| resislibly irthprovoking.
! The negro characters command especial mention.
Tbey are drawn to the life and stand out with great
prominence The language to which they give utte-
rance the motives by which they are actuaed--theii
| religious sentiments peculiar trats-are giver
with wonderful fidelity. Tho far.famed "Uncle Tom 2
Cabin" cannot boast Of single character deineaed
with 80 much truth.
We forbear to relate the plot, for "Moss Sco ia
not deficient in that valuable elemen: Of good narra
tive certain mystery which the reader is constantly
puzzling his brains to unravel and which keeps his
interest alive. 1t is always ve1atious when an oba
ing friend banishes the stimulus Of hopes and tears by
| whispering denouemeM which we have not diVined
Some Of the popular topics of the day, such q.
.:womsn's rights and wrongs are dealt with in IN
earnest and mastery manner. What side the young
author embraces with the whole Of her large hea t.
the reader will gather from the following paragraph
with which "Moss Side" concludes The narrative ID
written in the form Of an autobiography.
II am antiquated in my tene,s," my sister.inlaw
says, "uttery devoid Of the progressive ANNA con
tent to live forever in my husbands shadow; TO own
him as authority for doctrine; dictator OF action
liege of my person, possessions and will"
"How proudly plead Guilty to each count o
this indictment, let every loving wife reply. While
tho sap strs in the heart of the princey oak let tht
ivy cling and climb closer and yet more close TO IT
Heaven.lent support; drink Of the showers that re
fresh it flourish in its sunlight. and at last in th
Fathers own good time, lie down with it in the duet
These passages acquire touching interest for thos
who are aware that during the interval between th
appearance of "Hidden Path" and "Moss Side"
f wedding ring glistened on the delicate fnge: o
/ Marion Harand.