The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-11

DEBIT and Credit Translated from the German of Gus
tavus Freyag, by L. l.. C. With Preface, by Chris
nan Charles Josias Bunsen, d. D., d. c. L. d. Phi.
New York: Harper Brothers. 1858 For sale by
Taylor Maury, Washington DC.
The author of this novel, which belongs to
that class of fctions which the French call
genre, is an accomplished scholar-the editor
OF the Greuzbote, Border Messenger, journal
of high popularity in Germany. His "SoU und
Haoen, the original of this translation, is stated
by Chevalier Bunsen to be the most popular
German novel of the age, having passed through
Six editions IN two years. 1t has likewise been
warmly commended by leading periodicals in
England. The Letter and Preface by Bunsen
Will be read with interest, for the information
given respecting the book and the topics men.
toned. He says of the book, "It reveals a
state of the relations of the higher and of the
middle classes of society in the eastern provin-
ces OF Prussia and the adjacent German and
Slavonic countries, which are evidently con.
nected with a general social movement pro-
ceeding from irresistible realities, and in the
main independent of local circumstances and
OF political events" The remarks which Bun.
sen makes respecting different novels, are worth
reading. We cannot, however, agree with him
In some of his judgments and when he says
of Hopes Anastasius, that " the episodes, espe
cially that of Euphrosyne," strike far deeper
chords in the human heart than the creations
OF Walter Scott-Kingsley's Hypatia alone, of
modern works,is worthy to be named along
with it" we must confess our surprise at the
strange opinion. Has he forgotten the Heart
o. Md Lothian, and numerous exquisite pic.
lures OF life in its most trying scenes, which
have been painted with such master hand by
Scott? Vivid and exciting, beautifully sketch.
ed as are the incidents to which he alludes, yet
what is the hold they have fastened on the
minds and hearts of readers, compared to his
who will live down to all time as the mighty
master of the North. We might also take ex.
ceptions to some others of Bunsen's expressed
judgments, but it is only incidentally that we
have occasion to allude to them. Our business
is more particularly with the novel itself. here
before us.
The scenes are laid in Prussia and Poland.
Ihe characters are generally well drawn, and
two or three are exceedingly so. The course
OF the story for the most part is easy and
natural. The effect of class relations. the
struggle between the aristocratic and the mid
die and lower ranks, which all have their
representatives, are forcibly given. The au.
thor does better, however, on German than
American ground. Here he betrays ignorance,
even of the geography of these States. His
references to this country, however, are only
casual. His calling and setting forth man
German born, who left his native country, to
reside here, at the age of fourteen, and who
could not have spent as many more years here,
a Yankee, is a great mistake. Fink is a char.
acter in which the readers sympathies are
strongly enlisted, and which very likely NAV
have its counterpart in real life, but is an
Americanized German only. Anton and Sa.
bine are the persons around whom center the
deepest sympathies. Ignore is far less pleas.
ing; and there are some unexplained incon.
istencies in the condnst of Mr.. Schroter. The
Jews, Ehrenthal and Itzig, with Hippus, the
prime villains, base enough 70 set or any
NUMBER OF the better hearts which help to fill
up the whole picture. The Count and Countess
are strong contrasts, the former of whom can
lay claim to little in the way of hearty well.
wishing; and but for his connection with
others, we might readily see him fully punished
TOR his pride and ingrattude. We are glad to
see, at last, Anton rewarded; and had the
author, as seems at first probable, united him
to Lenore, instead of Sabine, we should have
demurred. There is graphic power in the
various shifting scenes and the instruction,
attacks, and conflicts, are given with effect.
The plot is managed with SKILL and the pro.
gress OF the tale grows in interest. 1t will
lind many readers here, as well as in Germa-
ny and Great Britain.
The Plant Hunters, or Adventures among the Hmaava
Mountains. BY Captain Mayne Reid author of 1" Tbe
Desert Home" " The Young Yagersn&c. With Illus |
tratons Boston: Ticknor Il Fields 1855 For sale |
by Taylor Maury, Washington, DC
One OF those numerous little volumes which. |
formed somewhat on the plan of Robinson Cru.
soc, have for their object the exhibition of a
remote and comparatively unknown portion of
the globe, In connection with the difficulties
and dangers of adventure and individual inee. |
nuity, courage, and fortitude, in meeting them.
The scenes here are laid in mountainous India
tho Adventures are two young Germans, (Karl.
and Caspar his brother,) together with an ex.
perienced native hunter of the hill country.
named Osaroo. The object of the enterprise is
botanical one, to gather rare and unknown
plants for the gardens and conservatories of
England. good deal of information is given,
and in pleasing way, respecting the plants
and animals of India; and variety of adven. |
lures occur, designed to bring out the skill and
experience of the old hunter, as they proceed |
on their way. Finally they reach the noun.
tans, and ascend, where at last among the
rocks and glaciers, the deep ravnes and preci.
pieces, they are shut off from return. Here
they build hut, and, with more than a months
toll, bridge one hundred feet long, and cross |
the chasm, only to find greater one directly |
before them, wholly impossible. They return,
and after numerous perils the story leaves them
to spend their days in that region of desola.
saying to his brother Caspar, "Not
alone, for God is with u.s. From this time
forth, let us strive to forget the world and make
Him our companion-let God be our ,oorld.v
The story as whole is an exciting one. Il
Is so managed as to awaken curiosity at its diff.
ferent points OF progress, and probably will
win the approval of children and youth. for
whom it is mainly destined. We are sorrv to
say that in parts of the earlier portion of the
volume the style is a bad one. There are inver.
sions and grammatical inaccuracies and idioms
which mar ita oxhar~v;.o u~..c,