New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-15
NEW PUBLICATIONS..
HOLINESS ELSIE vENNER.

=. ors Of the chapters Of the second volume OF
,n;, work. after a not very lucid discussion OF
,hs doctrine of hereditary influences, the author
.nSderly breaks the thread Of his argument with
,ss ;nteriectiODal remark, Z" But this Is narra-
tive. not disguistion." Precisely the reverse Oh
This however, would more truly indicate the
character of the book, which might justly Do
called disquisitiOn, or serles OF dlsquis'"n''
and not narrative. Although describing IL Us
romance on the title-page, the author mas scafceH
,cora of a s.ry to tell than the weary KNIFE
grinder in the poem; but manages 10 MI Dis space
with graphic sketches Of the rural scenery ana
.or;al features of New England, keen analysis ana
brilliant portraitures of character, and subtle
speculatlons in physiology, ethics, and religion.
The plot has barely sufficient substance to serve
NJ basis for the discussions 10 which the autnor
u evidently more at home, than In the cohstruc-
hon of a narrative; aud the scanty incloents ON
which il hinges seem TO have been chosen ior
the calculation of theory, rather than as ma
terials for dramatic effect or exciting descrlp-
ton. Nor is the main conception on Whch the
.tory ia founded, as il seems to us, well adapted
to the legitimate purposes Of literary art Ill
though the suthOr may appeal to some dstln-
gwsbed precedents 10 his justification. The scene
il hid in a portion Of New-Engand, where the
mountain sides were infested with rattlesnakes,
and the influence eIerted on the heroine by these
anclean reptiles through accident to her mother
previous to her birth is the keynote of the " ro-
nance" and is dwelt upon with fond delight
through a wide range OF variations. Now, what
cyor interest in a circumstance like this might be
felt by physiolCgi,t or q student of natural his
eory, it il quite too monstrous and repuislve lot
nslhetic treatment. No skill Of the artist could
- dyest il of ts hideOus features, rs to make II
!. pleasing subject of contemplation. 1t belongs
b q schosl of literature, which has happily Lad
bot few disciples in our own couDtry that aims
ct popular effect by the deliDeation OF physical
horrors. and searches for it materials among dis
serteA, anomalous, frightful, or grOesque perver-
mons of nature rather than its normal and whole
come manifestations. As a romance, OF, indeed,
an a narrative in any shape, we cannot contider
Else VebDer an extraordinary success. BESIDES
the Inherent ycousness of its plan, it shows little
constructive power, is almost totally destitute OF
the dramatic element, aud has no trace Of the
srsiatic fnesse by which the gredusl opening OF
events is made TO minister perpetual stimulus
10 tbs curosIty Of the reader.
The chef merit Of the work-snd il has great
and singular merits--is in the fidelity aud vivid
%. -. -. .,A;,,.;o.i tr.;,. az char.
Do" WIN WIZ" ''i"'" ,r
actor are represented IN isolated sketches. Inc
author has keen eye for the ludicrous; he seems
~ have kept ~ bright bg c"1staht eA'fCitei ho
x,singe odd,tv with which he has ever come in
- T. -. II ., ,ho
contact, mas pessFo if"u DIS hohio'!i 'H" ~ 'o0
sanse time. he eherisbes a warm sy mpsthy with
.-A..... :, ,ohL, .,a ,.,srous in character. and
""~ a.. :clI
M equally cordial c"ptenp' I"f Tue "huiio'u
FIRMS of EOcial pettfDess, haseness, AnectatlOn,
a.. .r, ~. - ,s.h.. az 6Ca
aoa SuPhei!' Ano H"e''J INV P 10y
a.oreoyer never fail 80 receive has qulc2 recOg-
-. n. L.. .o.itoi;o n 6uad with annie
- i,t,..,..,. 90,
materials for the scenes winch ILLUSTRATE stflAlng
inS;v,dpni nooaliarities and which, as we have
-, -u.. "a "A
SAID, CONSTITUTE the PtiH1PN eAo'HoHS0 ~ Nv
tr.ctiou Of has yelurDes
s...;, 81 ,ho .,,;e.l Naw
ibe ion'Nhs oeeOi 'P'''" vi w" ''f'
Engiaod village which the author has selected hs
IA 49,. = b.. ,,o..5v ,o,,h,ne, many Of the
-" '"'"''' " NV sO''
beet caarsetcristics OF bis composition, ana clearly
Illustrates HE remarkable talent for acute ooser-
-. .. o. ,,,o,;v.. and
VAnoh, saesc"us inse"' '"'' VIC
purposes Of the actors an The great human dianiS'
- ~ .,a .,,.,,s.,ve vvo-d uaintinq:
Nv
Elm street was the PRIDE Oh hoe khno, ou, nov oh!
on eecoaDt " iis GOtLit-sithsd Nlsta In uln hrot'
we're most Of tie great houses, or mahhoh-DousIs,
a. va. usual 20 cell them. Along TINS street, lso,
the ORE Iioey KEPT and neatly painted dwellings
were ctea, cong eatod IL the correct thing Tor
aRorktAd ais i'ary u have hGa.e is Elm street,