New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-19
Now PUBLICATIONS.
sARGENTS PECULIAR.
PECULIAR; A TAIN OF THR GREAT TRANSITION by LIES
SARGENT. 12mo. PIP. 500 Carleton

SARGENT l2mO. PIP. 500. Carleton.
Mr.. Sargent has won high and honorable repu-
tatjon as on effective worker in various depart
tnents of elegant letters. As o poet, draniaus'
an editor of valuable educational works, ahd Jour
nalist his name is handson ely connected Win 'he
literature of his country. lie Is uDoersooo 10 ha'e
made previous ventures in the held OF nctltlouS
composition: but for the most part, they nave peen
published anonymously; and to all PRACTICAL nten's
the present work may be regarded as his FIRST elabo
rate and ambitious essay in underwriting Perhaps
the cautious reader might detect the marks Of fais
an tho oyer-crowded and sometimes confused ar
rangement of the plot, its frequent want of NICE
toinery and dovetaing in the connection OF its de-
tails. and an occasional violation of harmony, and
excess of coloring in the delineaton OF character
but for variety of incidents, naturaness and force
Of description, and intense dramatic eject, no can
did Judge will deny it the possession Of eminent
merit.
The prominent figure in the story is q fugitive
slave, who wGs christened by the whimsical name
of peculiar Institution" and who after aseres oil
remarkable adventures is found IN tho TANKS oil tue
Union army and doing brave service for the conh-
try of which he had become freeman He is de-
picted as person of extraordinary sense, integrity,
courage, displaying the highest manly virtues
on large scale,-meeting the difficulties OF
his position with admirable promptness and
tact,-never wanting IN resources even in
the EXTREMIST emergency; but bis charaetcrismadc
to grow out Of the circumstances with which he
was compelled to cope, as wei as from innate en-
dowments and hence leaves the impression CT nat
ura development without one-siCedDoSs or exogge-
ration. The other personages of the scene, IN
GLIDING several prominent living celebrities, repre-
sont some Of the most striking phases both OF Nor
them and Southern character and in the course OF
the story, are placed in situations that leave free
scope to the lively fancy, brilliant descriptive
power and pleasant humor which are among The
conspicuous traits of the author
Without attempting an analysis Of tie cornpi-
Gated plot, which would require too much space for
our convenience, We will give orr readers one or
two specimens from different portions Of the work
which We think will tempt them 70 form more
intimate acquaintance with its contents. Here is
TIE portrait of scion from the old Virginia tree,
whose history in the volume is orc Of constantly
increasing interest, and who subsequently comes 10
bear better fruit than could have been predicted
from his antecedents.
ONE OF THE fIRsT VIRGINIA FAMILIES.
Colonel Delaney Hyde is parsonage o. too much in
portence to be kept waiting Thile we describe tae ole
tended TO first Tall lInk and gaurt II figure mound
shoudered and STOPPING he carried his head very muc,
aer the fashion Of bloodhound on the scent Beard
and moustache Of reddish, sandy hue. coarse md
wry concealed much Of the lower part a face which
would have been pale but FOR Tie gsoTd l wg1
rather leonne than wolfsh IN outline Gf we nav
believe Mr. Livingstone, the lion il less respect
trownish eyes generally half closed and obquey rlauc
ing had expression Of penetr or of scorn
asf the person on whom they fel would he too much
honored by fun. entire regard from those sublime
The Colonel wore loosely fitting frock coat and pant
sloons evidently bought ready msae laey were Of a
was manufactured in Georgia He generally carried
his hands in his pockets and bestowed his
impartially on an sides with the obarG0n q free ana
independent citizen who as not been used 10 carpets
There were two things Of vbioh Colonel delaney
hyde proud: one his name. The other lis virginia
birth Ii is interesting to trace back 10 geheaoyy
OF heroes and we have in our power to 10 us Justice
In the wear 1913 there resided In London stable
keeper Of doubtful reputation and connected with gen
tlsmen Of the turf who frequeaied Hyde PARK tnd New
market in the early days Of that important bthh ist
tuition the horse-race. This mans Lame W.s HYDE
He had patron in Sir Arthur Delaney disslp atei
nobleraan whom lie admired naming aiier liin son
who early initiated in al the Il! steIies Of jockey
tnfortsnsteiy for the youth. be did have the wit
60 keep OF the clutches OF tie Law. Twice re WIS
arrested and imprisoned for swindling thtd oiense
OF grayer character consisting IN TIE Their Of pocket
book contsng thirteen Shilngs. LED 10 his arFaisn
Inent for grand larceny crime then paiiSnpe WIN
death The gallows began to loOla IN the not remote
distance with a shsrPness Of outline not pctOrlaiy
pleasant to the ambition Of the II.de family.
bout that time the London Company whose colony
In Virginia was in languishing condition peui0ned
The Grown to make them present OF "yagsbonds AID
condemned men 10 DO sent cut 10 enforced ltDoT 40
senior Hyde applied 10 Sr Arthur Delaney 70 save Us
laaesake; and that Robleuan laid The case before ls
friend Sir Edward Sandys treasurer Of the company
Aforesaid by their iont inh1ense We Ayaes TefS
TAng James having gracfousiy granted tho LONDON
Company's petition for a consignment OF "vegabonds
and condemned men hundred were seat out "a mere
fraction Of the numbers Of similar gentry who bad pre-
ee6sd then and Of this precious lot tie younger hyde
made one. just year aiteFward' nancy IA W. a
Dutch trading vessel anchored IN James River with
twenty negroes and this the beginning VI African
slavery in North America -
Neither threats nor Iashee could induce young NJ.
HYDE this founder OF Of the first families" 70
work Soon after hs arrival the banks Of the Cmcka
horniny be stole gun and thencefo-th got pTecarOus
living by shooting, fishing and p!lisrng lie TOOK 10
timsef female partner and Faithfully transmitted TO
lis descendants the traits by which he wGs distn.
Not one o, them except now and then female Of the
stock was ever known 10 get an honest living and
even the poor creatures had desired 10 do so the iae
Of society where their lot was cast Nss such as 10 deter
them from learning any mechanical craft OF working
methodicely az any manual employment.
Slavery had thrown It's ban and Us slime over white
labor brandingi IL with dsrepnte 10 get bread not
by the sweat Of your own brow, but by somebody esg
TO be gentleman you must begin With robbery.
TIE Hydes were hardly an educated race. There
was tradition Ia the family mat one Oh them lau D.eA
% school but 4 he had the fruits Of culture did not ap
pear They seemed TO have shared the benedicton u
Sir William Berkeley, once Governor Of virginia, WHO
wrote: IL thank God there are no Tree schools nor
printing and hope shall Lot have them these hrnd
red years"
lEI alf nj