Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-07-16
LITERARY.

New York correspondent furnishes us with The
following lively crttiqwe OF the rival tranalsons
Of The popular historical novel, Beatrice Cenci:'
"A paragraph has appeared in some Of the papers
stating that BEATRICE CENcI, pnrportirg TO be
translated by Mrs Sherman, really trana's'ed
by an Italian goveroess in her cn.ily This proba.
bly correct and an evidence of the fact that
gauce and selfish pride sometimes secure the Iaurra
OF another planting, and appropriate the fruit from
seed. Gown by more industrious hands. In plain
erms it is only an Instance where wealth and position
have enjoyed The honor and profits OF those who were
rich in brains hut poor in pure Mrs. Sherman is
the beloved aud elegant wife of Waus Sherman E-qr
Banker Of this city. The simple idea thai she or any
rich and faahionab. city lady could render correct
and elegant Translation Of such thrilling and wonder
sul work as GuerrazG,- BEATRICE C-nc is certainly
ABSURD and quite prcpos'erous.
at Was SERVICE involvi e mora serious reqnlre-
nen,s Than the natural nbii'i"s Of wom.r. An ex
.rcise of the highest ord-r at literary faculties ard
An exceen, knowledg. oi both English and Italian
were demanded for the accomplishment Of tack
more profound, and even more elegant than fash.
lonabe drawing. room display. The range OF scho
larshp required, and mind adequate to the duty.
VAS fortunately found in II" qualification. oF Lnigi
Mon,i, A. NJ, Protector Of Ita-n IN Harvard I'm.
versiy, WHOSE excr-n, ,raDsil'i II OF the da'H h'd
dreadful record OF Beatrice Cenci, published
.ome months ago by rbe popular house OF Rrdd 81
Carlton.
Count Fraucisco Cenc was msn whose course
of crime transcribed the ordinary capacity OF man
for wick sdness. us volsted the laws OF man, and
dsied the commando Of God. His uuccun-d god
enabled him 20 lead, with ir:punity, lie the e1sci
counterpart Of be wicked vena aud corrupt sge m
which he lived
"fIs lo-ey dsugt:t4r, Beatrice Cenci stsnda fo-;h
in marvellous besu,y 20 ali angel in that dark and
awful time. The pen of literature, the artful hand
of sculpture, end the diving inspiration of poetry
have revealed her es IN. Efave heauteoC. 0nd stain
Lass innocent in .he midst oi dark deeds, appalling
crime and terrible tragedy. The story is founded
upoa authentic records. Oar author and trer-
lstor have managed al the incidents ruthiuly, ten
derby and with all the deicacy of noble and manly
spirits. They have labored with a lcltier purpose
than love of fame, set gratltication or desire
to refreeh a wearied spirt during leisure hour5 Ii
w.s generous and patriotic aspiration after bitter
.lste of politics and society, than that which has Tor
centuries prevailed n tbs lovely land OF ltsy, ana
en,hralIed the noble qualities of her people. 6ter-
razzi has sought 10 n4e tie terrible story teach
lesson of wisdom, morality and regulated liberty lie
and Monti are men who seek to lmpart instruction
concerning their country, once the forum Of c'nssc
orstory the home of ri and the land Of song which
has, like the fruitful Emerald I-le even amid Ter fet
tes and chains, filled The world with the beauties OF
4 Iprf nd At
sisters in the crueltes Of oppression! But 10 the
student, the patriot and the poet, they are dear ana
venerable for their past creations and glorle4 aTd
the image of each is beautiful in the sadness OF mis-
fortune.
"The infections Of tyranny have saddened their
spirits, but the brisncy Of their genius has shone
above the overshadowiug form oil foreign des
potism.
The author Of Beatrice Ceaci bad TO deal
with the sombre chapters of history. He has told
the story of wrong and nnocence-the purity aud
virtues of maiden whom Gcd projected, and OF
whom TIE age was unworthy. The TRANSLATION by
Monti il pronounced TO be az faithful that of Mrs
Sherman q ia faulty. Her work discloaes The super
icIaI know ledge of a fashionable foreign tourist or
the awkward bunders and d,tncss Of one deplorn
bly, deficient IN Inc use OF lGe EHEHSH lsHSu"So-
Here are few specmens
".Dscoro III vol,o, modssty Of countenance, is
translated .djgmfed coun;enance. 'Forms di an.
piolo is rendered angelic creation, nstead OF 'auge!lo
FORM which contrasts in the came sentence with
spima di demonio' '-6emon,nc soul. 'Confrontai ra
con is, Il confronted the narrative instead of cor
rectly saving 4 compared the n0rrafires. 'Scrti,
',crutng, il translated essays. ConnObbi la rasona
della offesa lie rendered, 4 understood the OF the
Injured female instead OF ths simple expression.
knop the cause of the offence.
"In another place Mrs. Sc translation tells OF q
donkey that 'sobs.' which originally meant 'brays'
a thing that donkeys sometimes do. One specimen
more and | will lay down :he pen, take up my hat
and bid srs. Sherman, tia amiabie wits {" the
wealthy banker, and her vic'imLed g0verness'
Good evening" At the closs Of the chapter ent'
tied Roma there is discussion respecting the dins
rem, forms assumed by the devil. One OF them Is
dsscribsd as 'Quells d talps lungs due pslmi com
nress Ia coda which, in respectable English, mears
that of mole, two hands long, tail included The
ady however, has given the passage translation 60
elegant and impressive, that il nigh, have brought
smis 10 the face OF The printer, and startled the
nroof reader into sudden grin. 1t is lhi. that o'
n IouO mole WITH MS TAIL PRESSED Isn' MIRA
bki There is little picture OF the devil bJ !aoy'
at which The heather gods Themselves might Iarsh'
Wonder how the old rascal himself likes the compi-
ment AZ the hands of that he has so often favor
Cd and houorsd, by delegs.iug them to present the