The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-04-07
LILLE RE VIE w.

Adam Bede By George Elliot, author ef Scenes of
Clerical Life New York Harper q Brothers. 1859
For sale by Taylor Maury, Washington d C.
Adam Bede is a strongly marked character,
an earnest man, bound by an unwavering love
to his younger brother, Seth, contrast in dis
position to him. The interest of the story rests
chiefly in these two brothers, and lovely young
woman, Dinah, and her contrast, cousin,
named Hetty Sorel, to whom Adam becomes
engaged; but who, misled by Arthur Donni-
thome, is arraigned and condemned for the muir
der of her child, and, by change of sentence, is
transported, and then disappears from the web
Of the story.
Numerous other subordinate characters also
have place, but they serve only to bring out
in stronger relief the main personages and in
cidents Dinah is Methodist, and female
preacher. Yet, though controlled as she feels
by high sense of duly unobtrusive, and wins
the respect even of those who disapprove of her
sentiments and public ministry. The develop
ment of the story is unexpected to the reader,
who all along anticipates the final union of
Dinah and Seth instead of which, without
breach of brotherly affection, it is Adam Bede
who at last is rewarded by her heart and hand
| The whole is cleverly managed by the author,
and we recognise in the volume similar cast
of thought to that exhibited in his former work.
1t possesses the merit also of being written
easily and naturally, without any effort at effect.
It's pathos is the simple expression of the feel
ings belonging to the situation and the circum
stances. Though it cannot rank as tale with
many that are found among issues from the
Harpers press, yet it is, too, of far higher
stamp than many others.
Three Visits to Madagascar during the Years 1883 1884,
and 1856 including Journey the Capital with No
tees of the Natural History Of the Country and of the
Present Civilization OF the People. BY the Rev. Will
liam H. Ellis, F. H. s., author of Polynesan Re-
searches" illustrated by wood-cuts from photographs
New York; Harper Brothers. 1859. For sale by
Taylor & Marry, Washington, d C.
We are glad at last to get something anthem
tic and so full in respect to Madagascar Ever
since the Punishment of the missionaries by the
cruel Queen of that island, little comparatively
has been known respecting it. The native
Christians, it was understood, were prosecuted
unto death, and many martyr there nobly
sealed his faith by his blood and even now
Mr.. Ellis, in his preface, mentions that the Gov
eminent is opposed to the religion of Christ
Mr.. Ellis was just the right sort of man to fur
nish the varied information needed The popular
author of the Polynesian Researches, so attract
i've for its descriptions of natural scenery, and
evincing fine powers of observation, as well as
hearty desire to see the Gospel proclaimed in
oil in 20 Ut
once the naturalist, the close observer of men
and manners, and the Christian missionary,
combined and having the means of access by
his commission from the Queen ofGreat Britain,
| he is enabled to know more than any one less
favorably circumstanced could hope to do of the
progress of affairs in this large island. Accord
ingly, we find the volume before us on every
page furnishing us evidence of its authors faith
fulness in recording his observations and i'm
| pressIons, laying before the reader large and
diversified mass of materials, which, aided by
the photographers and graver's art, amply illus
trate the most important characteristics of the
country and its inhabitants. There are nearly
thirty of these large engravings, besides the
smaller wood-cuts of the text. Some of these
|
| ent kinds
| We have, as yet, only been able to go over
the volume somewhat hurriedly, but, from this
| examination, we gather rich promise of highly
interesting and useful knowledge, that will, we
| feel assured, not be wanting Of fulflment. 1t
is large and thick octayo, brought out in a
similar style with the recent travels of Barth,
Livingstone, and others.
| The American Home Garden Being Principles and
Rules for Culture of Vegetables, Fruits Flowers
and Shrubbery; to which added, Brief Notes on
| Farm Crops with Table of their Average Products
and Chemical Constituents. By Alexander Watson. IL
| Illustrated. New York Harper Brothers, 1859 For
sale by Tay lor Maury, Washington, d c.
Spring is opening, and, after a while, the
gardener and farmer will be turning up the soil,
marking his beds, and preparing and depositing
his seeds. Here, then, is just such book as
he may find useful all ready to his hands. Its
title, I" The american Home Garden" shows
| its adaptation to the wants of our countrymen.
One difficulty which is found in the application
of English works is, that by the transfer of the
volume to our hands this side of the Atlantic,
there is not at the same time transfer of the
climate, and other conditions, for which they are
written. The volume before us is full of details
and adaptations, given in clear style and suit
ably illustrated by wood-cuts. If we could tran
scribe the Table of Contents, it would be seen
| how ample the information on all the topics be-
longing to horticulture, from the laying out of
the garden and soil, and elements of vegetation,
| up through the process of culture and improve
ment, defence against insects best means of the
care of the plants and fruits, and the kind most
| fitted for successful enterprise.
| The author has awaited himself of the expe
rience of his predecessors in this branch of
writing, and incorporated them with his own,
| to produce valuable book on the subject, which
is published in an appropriate style, as such
work always should be.
| Poems by Albert Subtitle. Boston, James Munroe Co
| We find it difficult to express an opinion as
regards these poems. They are of unequal
merit, many rising into real poetry, others quite
unworthy of the author. In cursory glance,
we have noted many exquisite touches of humor
and pathos which alone render the book worthy
of perusal We would suggest, that by slight
| revision of the versiication, the volume would
become more readable. In many passages,
through this defect, the reading is difficult and
the meaning obscure
| Home Memories by Mrs. Carey Brock New York: d
| Applt,on Co. For sale by Taylor Maury, Penn