The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-04-16
EMMA BARTLETT;
OR
Prejudice and Eanaticism.
by AN AMERICAN LADY.

This Is work of fiction designed TO Illus
trate the evils Of abolitionism and Know
Nothingism. We are happy to record the
ent and some distinction in the literary world
is at present a resident OF our State. though we
believe native Of Kentucky. There is no
portion Of our country better adapted to the
cultivation of literary tastes. than the great
West. A person Of pure heart and elevated
sentiments, can here hold unrestricted COM
mnnion with nature: Our natural scenery is
unsurpassed. One cannot behold the beauti-
full and broad Prairie without being elevated
by the contemplation OF its grandeur And in
the west there is more of nature about the
people than elsewhere. The western people
arc not SO much stifFened by the formalities
and conventionalties of on artificial society,
as are the people Of older regions, and although
their manners have not the polish and elegance
which may be found elsewhere, they are vet
more pleasing to one who regards goodness
and purity of heart, and indebtedness Of dis.
position. as the best adorments of character.
We think therefore that the Authorizes of EN-
ma Bartlett exercised wise choice when she
adopted the West as her future home.
In 'fEmma Bartlett" there is much literary
merit. The style is good, the plot ingenious
and interesting, and the different characters
are portrayed with mnch skill and effect
The story is Of the trials and suferings OF a
German orphan girl, thrown frien.less and
otn L. - -
lea. A custom house clerk notices her desti-
tuie condition and being well verssd in the
German language, he offers her his assistance,
and bv maRv protestations of friendship and
attention to her wants he wins her confidence
He takes advantage of this and her destitute
condition, she being utterly ignorant of the
English language and succeeds in effecting her
rnin., Throughout the recital of the story we
were nnch interested. The world is full Of
just snch characters as Adam Dare, the
very pests of society, arch hypocrites and
mock philanthropists who in public make loud
and long boasts Of goodness and benevolence,
hnt who are secret knaves and gross l,bertines
So far as regards the stories Of Rosalie Hutton
or Emma Bartlett, we mus. say that we were
much interested in them, and we regard the
moral which j, taught in the fate Of Adam
Dare as healthy one. and one which cannot
be too often enforced npon the minds and
hearts Of the American people. As to the
Political portions If the novel we have not
much to say either one way or another. They
have no necessary connection with the story
andmight have been left of without injnring it,
indeed we think The story would have beer
much better If they had been left off altogeth
er. We like to read political essays, but we
prefer them by themselves. and when we have
become interested in the characters Of novel
we dislike very much to have those character.
take 10 discussing ,litics. We have decided
p-efe' ence for novels By themselves, and pol.
itics likewise. Although we differ consid.
erablv from some Of the political views enter
:ained nv the Anthoress, yet we take plea sur,
in recommending the work to the favorabl.
notice o. our citizen on account Of It's literary
and moral excellence, and not having any ap.
prehensions that the Republican cause will b.
in The least injured by an extensive circulation
of the work.
tits for sale Ut DR.. Taylors Drug and Bool
Store.
! Cincinnati and Milwaukee are reported
by telegraph as having elected mainly tf.
"Citizens' Tickets for Charter Officers, ir
opposition to that labeled ssDemocratic. ~
This vote has no political significance, but il
implies that the electors regard personal fines.
rather than partisan orthodoxy ir The cho CT
Of Municipal oficers-which eyinces excel
lent sense on their part.
e. Madame Leyert Of Mobile 10 said L
be the authorizes Of the popular novel in reply
D a a. a Ill ~ e IT,