The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-04
NEW BOOKS

ten by Wilkie Collins, is their wonderful intricacv
yet perfection, Of plot, and the natural manner in
which that plot is evolved aud the mysteries con.
nected with it made plain to the comprehension of
the reader In this particular, Wilke Collins
ranks higher than any of his contemporaries.
Dickens, for instance. rarely succeeds in the plot of
his story. His strength is in the development of
character, and especially in its NATURALIZATION.
The interest which he creates in the reader ia far
more due to the personages of the story-auaint
and grotesque creations as many of them are, and
to his exquisite touches of Eumor and pathos than
to the story itself. Wilkie Collins works after
directly opposite fashion. The plot of his novels
is generally of almost faultless construction, and
every incident connected with it is wrought out
with the patient minuteness that distinguishes the
best pictures of the old Dutch masters. He has
great power of description, but very little dramatic
force; and yet, there are few novels more readable
than his "Dead Secret,'' "The Queen of Hearts"
and especially ''The Woman in White.n The novel
under notice, "The Crossed PATH" is one of his
earlier productions and in point of finish is far be
low the standard of the novels whose titles we have
just mentioned. The characters are less perfectly
drawn, and the story, though quite exciting, is
greatly overstrained There are, however, some
scenes in the book which are equal to anv he has
ever described.
The GOSPEL by MATTHEW. The common English version
and the received Greek text with revised version and
critical and pathological notes Prepared for the Ameri
can Bible Union. By T. /. CoNANT D. d New Yor,
1860. - ~ 'e" iofA'
In noticing what must be regarded as another
attempt to improve the standard of Protestant
faith, we see cause to modify the opinion we
have already had occasion to express in reference
To Hl.
who read the English version, the Hebrew and
Greek have no real existence. 1t is of course gen.
orally known that the English Bible is a transla-
tion yet to the it stands as if the Apostles
and Prophets had actually written in our mother
tongue. translation in which two centuries of
severe criticism has been able to detect nothing
more serious than few pathological errors-obiec-
tiOns to the form rather than the substance-whch
faith has accepted and canonized may well be con-
sidered perfect, and had better in view of the SUBJ
ject, be let alone.
We take it for granted, however, that the special
OBJECT OF the present translator is to bring into the
Engilsh version the literal meaning of the Greek
word oophze, which has been transferred rather
ehah translated, into the common text. There cam
we presume, be no doubt among scholars, that the
English word ''immerse" is the proper equivalent
mr.
tlce is countenanced by this failure in literal trans
iation. As, however, the rite of Christian bap
tism is certainly very different thing from any
ordinary contact with water, its special signii-
canoe would seem to require special term, which
baptism has become. This term, then, NAV we'll
be allowed to remain, and all the learning which
has been applied to prove that what is baptize
should be immerse, might go to show the meaning
proper to be attached to the word baptize, Ban
tism is common rite, upon which Christians are
agreed. How that rite should performed is anotb-
er matter upon which all are not agreed and an
attempt to change established and recognized
practice, by new translation will not be success
full, so far as general acceptance is concerned The
effect of the introduction of the term imaerse in
lieu of the word baptize will be to limit the circp-
lauon OF the new translation to the sect which In
sists upon baptism by immersion.
IL gives US pleasure to soy tI.;s :-.par4.-.
topic is treated in spirit of perfect fairness The
Greek text, the common and the new version, are
all printed side by side, with an array of authori-
Ties which, We believe, exhausts the learning on
the subject.
For sale by James S. Waters:
rRuMRs. novel by GEORGE WIN. CURTIS Illustrated
by Hoppin. New York: Harper & Bros
We presume that the readers of HarDer's IVeeEJ,
still retain distinct remembrance of that serial
"hlcn' under the name of "Trumps," dragged its
slow length along, week after week, for period E
nearly two years, awakening with each successive
chapter languid interest, but never rising to the
point of quickenng the pulse or moistening the
eye. Many, we doubt not, experienced sense of
relief when the story was finally drawn to a close
But what was tedious when doed out in successive
ChaDteTS. OF tod
less be found to be pleasant reading now that it is
published in book form, and the fine thread which
connects the incidents and the personages of the
story with each other suffers no breach of contnu
lty. AS story OF modern life in this country, it
49, perhaps among the best of its class, and pre-
sehts In the course of its development some really
eAceileht descriptive passages and few others of
aumiraoie force and power. The satirical sketches
Oh society are also good, as might have been ex-
pecteu from the author of the "Potiphar Papers. :"
But clever as MIR. Curtis undo ubtedly is, we see
no reason why he should take such liberties with
me syntax of our language. His SMILES, too, are.
at times, singularly defective. If he were at loss
Tor illustrations we could readily understand wbv
ne should seek to cover with vague words lis bald.
ness OF ideas; but when we find him capable of ex-
pressing himself in good imagery, we cannot under
stand why he should, at any time, permit himself
to write in so loose style or to make use of inn
perfect comparisons. Apart, however. from
Its grammatical errors and other literary
faults, such as those to which we have alluded.
"Trumps" is novel of more than AVERAGE merit
and the questionable SMILES perpetrated BY Mr..
curtis are amply compensated for by the clever
pictorial illustrations which scattered literally
through the book, from the pencil of Hoppin.
For sale by James S. Waters:
H. AL OF FREE LABOR IN THE BRITISH WEST
9. BY WILLIAM G: SEwELL. vol, 12mo PIP
eW York: Harper & Brothers. 1861.
1t is certainly much to be regretted that this
work does not supply want which has long been
felt, and which, at time when questions connected
with the relations between the white and black
races in America of peculiar interest, it is most
desirable should be gratifed. The want to which
we refer, is reliable account of the present condi
ton OF the West Indian colonies of England, taken
on the spot by competent and impartial observer.
The book before US, Judging by its own internal
evidence, has no just claim to be considered as
answering this description. A correspondent of
daily journal who goes forth to observe vet begins
by theori1ing; who, instead of telling us what he
sees, informs US what facts he expects to prove
Notwithstanding all his protesations of indifference
as to the result of his testimony, must be regarded
rather as an interested advocate than an unbiased
witness. A philosophy which generalizes before it
investigates, will certainly not commend itself to
the favor OF sensible people who desire to form
their own opinions or at all events to understand
the grounds upon which a judgment authoritative
ly announced, has been madeup
We do not undertake to say that Mr.. Sewell does
not in this volume communicate some new and in
teresng facts but his facts are all stated as bart of
his argument, and we are consequently compelled
to regard them with great suspicion. Facts stand
ing in such relation may be the most treacherous
enemies of truth; and statistics impregnable in
themselves, thus become the fast allies of fasehood.
If he had contented himself with description, at all
events, till he had travelled over the field of obser-
walton, and postponed his conclusions till he was in
possession of his premises if, what perhaps had
been still better, he had simply set forth the facts
which came under his notice during his somewhat
extended tour, and left to the intelligent reader
lne oy no means difficult task of drawing the me-
cessary deductions, his book would have been mucb
ICES ambitious and much more reliable. In express
ing Luis untavorable judgment. we are conscious
Oh no otner feeling than of regret ths, tho con-
cusione at which the author arrives do mt ar,oor
10 De better supported. Were it clear and rn,,is
taxable that the experiment of emapcipa,;on - -.
West Indies has been beneficial a ue,a
here attempted to be shown, it would cer,.in,-
hold out prospect for the ISOLATION of orr cre.,
social difficulty, which most people in this latitude
would recognize with delight. But under the
guse of impartality SO often asserted as of itself
to show consciousness of suspicion, this is the
book of an extreme partisan. 1t has, besides, no
literary merit to make amends for the defects we
have pointed ont,