Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-09-12
ssmos..Sfde.s ;,

saoss-SIde.1
We find the following critique in the Richmond
Enquirer, and recognize it as evidently from diff
ierent pen than that which does the politics and
heavy business for that journal It is no violent
presumption to attribute it to the graceful and
genial pen of Mrs. MowATT RICHIE;
Noss-Side By Marion Harland. author of
salon" and "fhe Hidden Path" New York:
Derby & Jackson.
fresh production from the fluent pen of Marion
Hsrlsnd is certain of a warm greeting from all The
lovers OF the pure, the beautiful the .ennooling in
literature. Her powers as a writer no longer
meter OF question upon which critics decide;
fhey can no longer dispute her claims to this or
that LAUREL throw the shadow of Th If cavils upon
its greenness The truest critic is the great public,
WHO buys the book, reads it, loves it, watches for
Its success or and utteTs involuntary ''Wel donep
as the last leaf is closed. The unerring voice of
the multitude has pronounced Marion Harland
among the first OF American female writer's. The
echo of that voice has sounded across the water TO
foreign lands, and been responded to in foreign
tongues. Our readers are aware that "Aone'' and
"Fbe Hidden Path" have been translated into sew
ersl languages, and have found hosts of delighted
readers ia Europe. What surer test can there be
OF popularity AL the csrping of the most sd peut
critics cannot steal from such success one atom Of
Its reality.
High as her Rrst work placed her, with each sue
q
reached a new round up the steep ladder of Fame.
'Moss-Side" is a more Brtstic work than her two
earlier productions. II is written with greater
force; it evnees deeper insight into human Ma
ture-especisly into womsn's nature-the deep
mysterious WelLsprings of woman's heart. The
diction of this last book is perhaps more carefully
correct, more polished and yet t has lost none OF
the morning freshness, the humanity loving warmth,
the uDstuded eloquence the natural grace of style,
which characterized her former efforts.
he of T,piO vie
ing up her idol the command of the angel, Duty
the temporary hal dening of her heart through an
unmerted sorroT-the touch OF little child upon its
rocky surface, commanding the waters to flow
anew-the graduI regeneration OF her chastened
soul her holy seif-renuncatiOn and triumph-the
des eDt of the dove Of peace upon her purified
spirit-call to mind the poets declaration:
''In the flaming bush, the martyr
May lofty courage show;
With pure intrepid ardOr,
Freedoms chief to battle 90;
But my maiden, in the combat
OF thy motives good and bad,
Thou hast shown true mettle
Thou as greet q triumph had !"
This contest aud victory furnish the impressive
moral OF the narrative. Il is Que that NAV teach
patience to some who groaning beneath the
weight Uf uncomprehended affection. Il may open
blinded eyes to the mercy of the hand that
smites. II may change murmurs to prayers and
Thanksgiving.
domestic life in Virginia Then, the characters Of
"Moss Side" are delineated With reality that for
ces the reader Especially if he be Southerner, J
to feel as though be constantly recognized familiar
friends. We experienced this sensation n partc-
ulaF willie forming the acquaintance of Mr. PeytOn,
the Virginia planter, with ever open heart and
band dong good in secret, and blnshing his own
uts-hidlng the N under almost awkward ex-
terror, and divining that in his goodness ne
became great. We have grasped the hand of such
in her ha
one so accurately represented by pen and ink
portrait.
The child, Llias, is thread of gold running
through the mesh OF the plot and throwing light
upon sombre portions of the web.
I he sketch of ''the maiden sisters, three" Miss
judy Miss Susan, Miss MalVna, aud their puu-lov-
ing broth T. has Cfuickshauk's touches about L, ir-
res IDLY mirlh-prosOking.
he negro characters command especial mention.
They are drawn 10 the life and stand out with great
prominence. The language to which they give ut
terauce, the motives by which they are actuated-
their rel. ious sentiments-their peculiar traits
are given with wonderful fidelity. The far-famed
''UDtle Toms Cabin" cannot boast OF single
character delineated with so much truth.
We forbear to relate the plot, for "Moss Side" is
not deficient in that valuable element OF a good
narrative. a certain mystery which the reader Is
constantly puZsling his brains to unravel and which
keeps his interest alive. 1t is always vexations
whsn an obliging friend banisbes the stimulus of
hopes and fears by whispering deaoueme',t which
we have NOT OWNED.
Some of the popular topics of the day, such as
t'Womun's rights ana wrong" are dealt with in an
earnest and mastery manner. What side the
young authoress embraces with the whole Of h, r
large heart the reader will gather from the follow
ing paragraph, with which "Moss Side" concludes.
The narrative is written in the form of autobog-
raphy.
81 am Anticipated in my tenets," my sister-in law
says, "utleIly devoid of the progressive ANNA
content to live forever in my husbands shadow
TO own him authority for doctrine dictator OF
action liege of my person, possessions and will "
"How proudly l plead guilty 70 each count Of
this Indictment let every loving wife reply. While
the sap stirs in the heart OF the princely oak let
the ivy cling and climb closer and yet more close
to its Heaveu-lert support; drink of the showers
that refresh il flourish in its sunlight, aud at last
in the Fathers good time, lie down with it il
the dust"
These passages acquire touching interest TO
those who are aware that, during the Interval be
tween the appearance OF "Hidden Path" and "NOs
Side" wedding ring glistened on the delicate fla
ger of Marion Harland.