Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-12-10
BUSINESS MATTERS.


ployed at present, to pcruse the work, we cop
from the Philadelphia Press the following arti
Gle, which will doubtless give our many reader
some idea of its merit rs II literary production
zone of the most difficult modes Of wrtin,
fiction is in the form Of an autobiography
Scott succeeded with it in Rob Roy A few
other novel writers have made similar attempts
but the general result may be stated in on
word-failure. Dir. Peterson, however, ha
tried it, and has succeeded. The character
are drawn with as much delcacy as truth
that of the heroine, who ia supposed to relate
her own story, being the most admirably linn
| ed of ALL
| "Mr. Peterson introduces II young girl, early
orphaned, whom rich uncle in the city i:
compelled, for very shame sake, to take care of
| In his house she is treated most unkindly, as
poor relations too frequently are, while his
own daughters arc petted and one of them
growing up into beauty being spoiled. In
the earlier chapters, the authors draws with
almost painful fidelity, touching picture of
the early trials of an orphans dependence upon
rich but grudging, selfish, and unkind relations.
In fulness of time having risen to womanhood.
Margaret Gray (the heroine) accompanies her
kinsfolk to a sea side place called the Bluffs,
which is described so as to bear vivid resem-
blance to Long Branch. There she wins the
heart Of Mr.. Talbot, one who, in every re-
spect, is gentleman. Her cousin, GeOrgiana
Elliott, who has failed to win him, fondly and
foolishly marres an adventurer named De-
spencer, who has nothing but dashing man
ners and a good wardrobe to recommend him.
For this, she is repudiated by her parents, and
retires with her husband to an old stone man
sion in the vicinity of the city-which we take
to be Philadelphia Margaret Gray, who I'M
happily quarrels with her lover on a point of
womanly principle in which she was right, is
also turned out of doors by her uncle and be-
comes a vistant of the Old Stone Mansion
with which great crimes are additionally con-
nected. What occurs there during that brief
residence and in subsequent shorter visits,
forms the mystery and romance of the story,
which are powerfully worked up quite in Mrs
Radclefe's manner, but which we leave the
reader of the book to discover for himself. Mr..
Peterson has invested the Mansion with SUI
pernatural halo--which reminds us of the
powerful effect produced by Wilkie Collins
similar treatment of the mysterious Myrtle
Room, in 'The Dead Secret
"0ne feels so uncomfortable, in short, when
reading the dark legends of that gloomy, ruined
mansion that the denOuement, sad as it is, is
felt rs n relief Finally, after considerable suf-
fering and anxiety, partly caused by her hav-
ing taken Il situation at n fashionable modistes,
Miss Gray, more in despair than hope, goes to
Il country residence, called the Hemlock Farm,
some distance from the city in quest of situa-
tiOn as governcss. There she encountered Mr.
Talbot, (whom she had believed married to
another,) and the conclusion may he guessed
The course of true love does at last run smooth,
and matrimony winds up the story in the most
agreeable manner.
"rhe merit of this tnle is four-fold;-thc
plot is full of interest, without being improba-
bic the characters are well drawn and natu
rally brought OUT the descriptions of country
scenery are actual pictures and the OCCASION
al remarks on society show much knowledge
of the world, and keen observation. We fancy,
too, that some of the characters are portraits.
At any event. the story is n DOWNRIGHT good
one, and shows the author to be q man of de-
cided TALENT with the rare faculty of perfect
constructiveness.
ave dismiss the '0ld Stone Mansion with
the recommendation of being the best novel of
American society published for many years.
It would make the reputation Of n new author.
II will greatly enhance that of our townsman,
who has already won his spurs by previous
works of merit"
RsSy@ We have received of 7. B. Peterson h
Brothers, No. 30G Chestnut street, Philadelphia,
the Monastery and Anne of Geuirsteen of their
cheap edition of Sir Walter SCOTS Works. All
the works In this edition are unabridged and
There is no library perfect without
the Waverly Novels. Lord Byron said he al
ways carried copy of them with him when
he travelled and read them at least once year.
A complete set can be purchased Of the above
publishers for the small sum Of
$500 Who would be without theml
ReSyA Walton l. McManus, meat dealers, Nos.
81 and s5 Tatnall Street, keep large variety
of Hams, sugar cured and plain, of the best
brands, No. l sides, shoulders, dried beef, lard,
beefs tongues, &e., together with variety of
salt and fresh pork, which they will forward
10 any of the adjacent towns to order. Coun-
try Store keepers and others, who have to pro-
cure produce in this city, will do well to give
them call.
rag Mrs. NJ Morrison will offer at public
sale as per advertisement, on the 18th inst, at
Almonds Hotel, in this city, very valuable
lot, tive brick stores and dwelling, Nos. l0s
ind ITO, Market street. This is an excellent
business stand and is worthy the attention of
capitalists.
pSS- Major B, 7. Biggs, of Pencader Hundred
ias purchased of Col. Clayton, of st. Georges |
Id, his farm in Sussex county, near Bridge |
lille, containing 342 acres, for 5000. The Ma |
or has also purchased tract of land of lls |
.cres adjoining his farm near Millington, in Ma
yland for $20'per acre.
DSy- Tho Montgomery Guards will give a |
,rand Military and Citizens Dress Ball, on
friday evening, December Both. From the
lumber and character of the managers we
would infer that it will be quite a spirited af-
air.
Reg The Mayors Court was in session Mon
law morning. In consequence of the engage
nents of Mr.. Causey the Deputy Attorney Cen
raj, ut New Castle the Court adjourned to the
ocular term, which meets in March next
nag The Grand Jury at its recent session
onnd thirty-two bills and ignored twenty
even.
TRouBL. AMONG THB FAHcy.--Descen on the
IL and ~ O'Clock last
vening number of the Mayors Detective
ulcers, accompanied by II section of the re-
erve corps, paid visit to several of our city
amblIng houses. The first establishment
listed was that of VIM. Knox, No. Al South
Eleventh street. On entering, the room was
Dund filled with large number of gentlemen,
n Tho nun,har of nftv ar sixtv who were husiIy |