The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-09-24
NEK BOOKS

we DOOhc.
BRANDON; OR, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, a tale of
the American Colonies; by OsMoND TIFFANY. We
wish we could commend'this book, if it were simply
for the reason that the author himself appears to
entertain a high opinion of its merits In that opin
ion we regret to say we do not coincide The story
Of BRANDON possesses all the ingredients common to
what are popularity known as "frst-class sensation
novels" But evenwith these advantages for max
ing Its way with the multitude, it scarcely be
called interesting" and is certainly not coherent
1t has nevertheless multiplicity of characters, with
regulations ranging from good to bad. 1t has its
gentleman OF the Old School; its Yankee scoundrel
plous and malevolent, and it has its sea rover Pat
rick Henry Is introduced as lawyer in good prac-
tce, at period when his age could not have ey-
ceeded twenty-five years; and we are moreover
gravely informed that he appeared "clothed in the
elegant fashion Of the time" General oLpE is al
so brought in towards the close of the volume, ex-
pressly Tor the purpose of taking Quebec, and for
no other reason whatever. There are likewise
many other personages more or less prominent
who are dragged into the story, not because they
have any business there, or because they are in
any way essential to the development of the
plot, but simply that they may be set to talk
ing. If they spoke well and wisely we might toll
crate their presence for the sake of the information
they impaired; butsas they neither speak well. nor
wisely, we should prefer to be rid of their COMPANY
Even as picture Of colonial manners BRANDON is a
ailurc while as a story it is complicated and inco-
herent. Still, there are occasional passages of GOOD
descriptive writing in that portion of the book re-
latlng to the capture of Quebec which, if we were
not under the impression that we have met with
them elsewhere, would lead us to believe that the
author was capable of better things; but as it is,
we cannot, IN strict justice, Offer him any such en-
enlargement or consolation,
For sale by James s. Waters Published by
STAFFORD d DelisSer.
A remarkably clever comedy, entitled ssTHE
QUEEN's HEART" has recently been published. 1t
met with unusual success on its first representa-
ton at the Howard Athen@um, in Boston, in June
last The scene is laid in Paris and the interest of
the plot turns upon the fortunes of new comedy,
and Of a provincial actress, who makes her debut
before Partisan audience in the principal charac
ter. Whether 'THE QUEEN'S HEART" is a dramatic
paraphrase of French anecdote, or whether it is
an entirely original conception, are left to con-
lecture; but the plot is decidedly French in the
neatRcss of its development, in the nature of its in
cdents, and in the vivacity and point of its dia-
lo2ue. The characters are few, and are well con-
! trasted though we detect occasional eXaggera-
lions. Mons. ROLE stage-manager of the Theatre
DIES Varieties, is, perhaps, too much Of the CRUlr-
NILES order for the position he occupies, and Ma
PoLEoN-ATHos-PoR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. a little too
| eccentric. Some of the speeches, also, sound like
literal TRANSACTIONS from the French-as, for in
stance, where Madame MoNDEU discusses with N.
ROLE the consequences of AGLAE's successful de-
but -
'You Think she says, ~ should be Jealous be-
cause rival is here: lion DjcH! No-I have heart
have sentiment. You think l will be reyengeful
! because | have been suppanted, Huis, DiaJie!
Mol have soul, | have magnanmity | am not
happy without rival must have my little SEN
satous."
And again
"1Iom DieD! but I am desolated to refuse you
YOU will reproach you will curse me, and shall
die! En- bjen it is best so."
The following turns of expression are also pecu.
liary French:
at is superior mind, this NJ Role he
! has boldness; Hon Diea! he has invention. We
shall see.'
"Monsieur will excuse me. Hon DieM one has
feeling, one has delicacy-one may suffer, but one
does not forget what is due to a sister-artiste'
The main faults Of the comedy, aside from the
eXpletiveS quoted above, which are altogether toe
freely introduced-are the local illusions These
latter are entirely out of keeping with the story
and its personages. To make French peasant CIR
| speak of 'Paphian Lotions and "Holloway':
Pills." and ''Retired Physicians whose sands o
/ life have nearly run out'-or to make French
low comedian talk, like speculative Yankee OF
Patent back-action sef-regulating internal ma,
chimes, is species of clap-trap which ought to
have been avoided in comedy that, apart from
the aiaiseries to which have referred, reflect;
great credit upon its author, Mr.. J. w. PALMER
and which is fairly entitled to the praise bestowed
! upon it by the Boston Alias, of being ''the mos
charming and successful comedy ever written by
| an American"
| For sale by james s. ITufers