Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-09-16
n NASHVILLE:
WEDNESDAY,, sEPTEMBER 1e. 1s57.



Messrs. w. T. BERRY g. Co, for copy of
''Moss-Side," the last production of the au-
thoress, the light of whose genius, but re-
Gently dawned upon the Old Dominion,
now penetrates into every nook and corner
of the Union. The last, it is adjudged, by
the critic-world, also the best, of her three
novels; the Improvement in language, style,
&c, being very decided The principal
characters of the story are sketched with
the skill of true artist, all distinct imper-
sonations, whose career the reader follows
with constantly increasing interest. The
heroine, Grace Leigh, is noble portrait
ure of womanly graces and flial devotion,
but the latter trait is carried to the extent
OF fault, when it is made the means of a
sacrifice which no spirit, true in every re-
spect to Nature and to God ever did, or
ever will, make She loved Herbert
Wynne, and was loved by him. They were
worthy of, and accepted each other. No
duty to her father could demand of her the
sacrifice of her affection thus bestowed
The father was selfish, cruel to accept such
a sacrifice, the daughter weak to make it.
In the end she triumphed, it is true, but
what could compensate her for the unnec-
essary suffering she endured? Some of the
finest passages of the work occur in the
portrayal of the struggles of the heroine in
the conflict of duty, and are deeply impress
sive.
In the initial chapter we have a sketch
of forced marriage, which at once enIists
the attention of the reader, and compels
him to proceed until the volume is finished.
We here present that chapter:
FARE you aware, Louise, that in all our cores
pondence about this important affair, and in our
lengthy conversation this afternoon there has been
signal neglect of the happy man of your choice
that I am ignorant of his name?"
"Ah! that was rather a careless omission on my
part. See! this ia May Seaton's present. the work
of her own fngers-the dear little creaturei Does
it not remind you of her? She is TO be oue of our
travelling party, wrote to you to that effect,
believer
"You did,"
l admired the exquisite embroidery of the satin
D1OUchOir case, the quilted lining of blue silk in
hailed the verbena perfume that fingered within its
depths; wondering all the WHILE at the brides for
getfulness of my quest q
We had been scuOo-fellows, Louise Wynne and
/; had passed two happy, busy years at Mrs
VS. celebrated seminary, and being room
mates, must, of necessity, have learned to love or
hate each other with our whole hearts. We pre-
ferred the more amisble course; and, although we
had never met until DOW since TIE day of our grad
uatiOn, the intimacy had sustained no rupture Our
letters, long and frequent, had kept each advised
of the others movements and undiminished affec-
ton. 1t is true, knew nothing of her attachment
to her successful suitor, or indeed that such be-
ing existed, previous to her announcement of the
anticipated marriage. But this was an offence cas-
lily pardoned-the more easily, since she had not
forgotten ancient compact concerning the
bridesmaids ofhce-one which lie invariably enter
ed into by ''nseparable" schoolgirls and yerv
rarely respected in the time of trial Louise never
overlooked friend or broke an engagement, and
this is the explanation of my presence in her cham
Der on this summer day, far away from my south
ern country home, the of a thronged city COM
ing in at our windows, and Immediately about US |
tokens OF the near approach of some gala occasion
Herbert and myself planned our route" contiu- |
ued Louise. 81 sent you the progrdmme-the !
White Mountains and Niagara-not an original one
by any means, but could think of no other that
promised equal qualification to all of US Herbert
being the only person who has been over the |
ground before. W. concluded, however to confer |
with yourself and your brother, before making an |
irreVersble decision. II you can propose any nov
city IN such excursion, if you prefer visit |
TO Saratoga or Newport, We will eheerfully alter
our course"
assured her Of our perfect satisfaction in the |
existing arrangement.
II hope you like large parties in or out of sea.
SOD" was her next remark she drew from the |
wardrobe the bridal dress and veil. Herbert does |
not favor this one OF my whims. His taste would
be for morning ceremony, travelling dresses and
a family breakfast; but these hum-drum, econom- |
ical proceedings, do not tally with my notions"
1t certainly was not suggested by her lively tone
or anything in her behavior and cOuntenance yet |
as she stood brushing lightly the Aounces OF her
wedding-robe, the vail, with its chaplet of orange
blossoms placed upon her head, that might bet |
ter observe its length and the beauty of its texture
thought how pagan priests decked the choicest |
Of their flock with ribbons and garlands and then |
led her TO the sacIificial altar.
"The ceremony will be bore--it always is" /
'aid Louise, still busy with the lace and flowers
"a large assembly is the only thing that fectual-
y relieves It's tedious formality. There are not
enough people In town TO crowd the rooms, so we
hall be comfortable, hot as the weather is"
who will compose your travelling parity" asked
"We shall number six in all. You and Norbert
Day, and that handsome brother OF yOurs-by tbs
ray, how gerry handsome he is!"
yourself and hr. Blank" interrupted laugh
ng. "YOu did not finish your answer so my inqui-
She coIored, but not with the unbidden. rapid.
ose tint had expected TO see.
'Have not told you his name yeti The truth
>, we have bad so much else to talk about There
nothing particularly euphouious or aristOeratic
ither IN the prenomen or pttronymic of the gem
leman 10 question. he answers 20 the address of
)avid Wilson,"
1t was not patrician title. / would have cho-
en- MordauEt or Howard in preference for the
igh-bred girl who to assume IL +; yet il was
OF this trifing disappointment that embarrassed
ie Into saying, as If trying the effect Of the sound
pom my ears Louise Wilson,"
"For Heavens sake, none Of thatl" broke impa- ,
emily from her; the next second, she bent down |
nd kissed me- Don't think me cross, DEAR but
you would be forever the Louise OF our other
aye. You can remember even the dead with love
can you not, Grace"
on nov TO me" / answered "Do not hint !
TAT you must cease TO be my dearest friend al
lough you love another more"
She kissed me again, because ] profEsred the
ledge OF eonstaucy; but her lips we're cold and
ard, and she went 70 the table, bestrewed With
eF bridal gifts.
Il have iorgotton whether you ever saw my eld- .
d brotherg she said inteTrOgatively.
i have never met him, am sorry TO say. He
as 10 South America most OF the time we spent
,getbeF At SCHOOL,
20, yesl l recolecu He Is living here now
fe speak OF you so often and famiharly, that he J
els ven acquainted with you; 80 you must not be
~ to him. You viii like him, am sure. He is :
ply my adopted brother you knowg7
"1es-he Is q cousin believed"
mot even that-but the nephew of nv fathers y
ist Vile DE was WidOweF when he married nv 7