New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-31
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
JnHN 0ODFREY'S FORTUNES.

Nj, IoYIOI D new bOIy 10 IehsihubAV AN' sHN ~
tsnse realism Of lie conception, although nc DIS
claims In the3outset all purpose OF resorting 10
sctua liis for the pOrtraiture Of individuals. It's
she result of personal observation, but 1t does not
pretend 70 enbody any special combination OF TEA
tnres witch IN given!case forms the complex pro-
Auct OF personal character. The author derives his
materials from those aspects and expressions OF
American society which have fallen directly IN DIS
way reproducing them in the synthetic movement
Of his plot with but faint eoionng OF the magma
ton, and with no attempt to magnify the ideal
traits Of which the respective Individuals OF the
story may DO regarded IS the types. His adherence
10 strictly representative purpose may impsr the
interest OF his delneations with many readers who
crave certain license of fancy in the conception Of
character, and find the homely details Of daily life
zoo simple and meager TO minister TO their love OF
Intellectual condiments ard confectionery. But
Mr.. Taylor, we think, has wisely avoided the task
Of enhancing the piquaney of ordinary experience
BY artificial inventions, and If he has thus sacri-
foed something of immediate effect, he has gained
In the nsturslness and fidelity of his narrative.
John Godfrey is not person, perhaps, who would
call forth any very enthusiastic sympathy in roal
hfe,-he exhibits no traits Of preternstural bril-
hancy or grandeur,-he is not the stuff Of which
nature makes her favorite heroes and martyrs, on
she one hand, or forms the crooked sticks and
eccentric scoundrels in whom she takesa whimsical
delight, on the other,-he rms into no unheard OF
adventures which makes one hold his breath IN
enrprise-nor does sOmbor tate, a dark mystery
brood over his career, awakening alternate emo
lions Of pity and terror,-he is, apparently, in
grain OF slow, and plodding. though very impress-
bic temperament, knows how 10 look out for
the main chance, and however tossed about by the
freaks Of fortune always contrives 10 fail on his
feet but still we find pleasure in the recital OF his
history because il is 80 truly human, SO free from
fantastic and gaudy word-painting, and SO true to
She spirit and form of frequent phases Of experience
IN the crude and inharmonious social life OF this
country.
The Introductory chapters of the volume describ-
ing the primitive life OF the nero in remote rural
district Of Pennsylvania, present numerous effective
pieces of idyllic painting. There is refreshing
fragrance in the pure country air, and the rustic
tone of manners and conversation If faithfully and
happily preserved. This portion Of the story, il
seems to u.s. written with natural simplicity and
grace, which is not so successfully sustained after
John Godfrey falls into the hands Of the New-York
Phlistnes, and becomes frequeDter Of its fashion.
sble literary circles Heaven save the mark j. and TO
certain degree, man of enterprise ind adventure
about town. 1t is possible that the prototypes Of
Er. TaylOr's sketches may be found by searching
the city with candles and lanterns and that the
absurd end grotesque specimens Of social life which
he produces may be traced back to their origin in
the monstrosties Of seething metropolis; but he
is evidently not much at home in tie delineation
Of folly and pretense as IN that Of the quiet and
attractive domestic scenes which be describes with
N arless vigor; charming his readers both By the
simple beauty Of the subjects, and the ease and
felicity Of his handling There is nothing better
In the volume 10 our thinking, than the incidental
glmpses in the commencement Of the story or the
energetic country gossip, "Neiehbor Miles, who
dsturbs the studies OF the youthful deyotee az she
bursts into her mothers house without knocking the
WI, worn sun-bonnet on her head, andher bare arms
wrapped in her apron, coming in for friendly chat
Her talk is as racy as her temper, ard for the most
part gives by no means exaggerated impression Of
The vernaenlar Of her native region, though we
suspect "Scbollard" is On importation from the
other side. The closing scenes in the life of God
freys mother illustrate Mr.. Taylor's power Of
pathetic description and perhaps, are not equaled
IN tie more ambitious passages Of the narrative.
So nv school-life went on. Tie Summer passed
sway. and the Autumn, aud the second Winter. Ny
mental growth evident. that although the
pepses Of the school proved TO be considerably more
lad aor %al ifv.k
abrdging the fall time che had assigned TO my studes
The money was forthcoming and sbe refused to Il,
whence ii came. You shall hop ne 70 pay IT back,
Johnny" was all she would say.
believed. at least. that sho not overtasking her
own strength in tie effort " II. There but
limited employment for her needle in 50 insignificant
place as the CrossKeys ard she was moreover unable
at this time 10 do as much formerly. The bright
color. could moi help noticing, had faded from Der
fce, and was replaced By livid, waIen hue; thick
stresks OF gray appeared IN her dark puis and her
round forehead, once so smooth began TO show lines
which limited at concealed suffering She confessed.
indeed that she had "spells Of wcskncss" nov and
then; but" she added, with smile which treasured
me, it's nothing than I've been expecting. We
old people subject TO such things. There's Neigh.
Dor Niles now,-to hear her talk, you wond think she
neTer had well day in her NE yet what deal Of
work she doesi"
This was tree. Our good ncigLbor was never free
rom some kind Of misery" as she eXpressivcly
termed H. One day she would have IT In the small Of
Che back; then 1t would mount 10 spot between the
Ihonderblades next perhaps, she would End il in her
legs or elbows, or the top Of her head. After
day Of hard scrubbng she would run over 20 our cot
tage drop into mothers rocking chair and exclan 81
feel powerful weak the misery's just got into every
bone o. my body"
Thus, though at times noticed with apprehension
The change In my mothers appearance the feeling was
speedily dismissed. My prospects were 40 secure
glowing that any shadow Of unwecome change took
Orn them an Illuminated edge as 1t approached But
there came In the beginning Of Summer one Sunday
when strange restless spirit seemed 10 rave entered
the cottage. Every incident Of that day Ia burned
apon my memory in characters no legibe that recall
them brings back my own unoomprebended pain The
day was hot and clondless every plant, bush and tree
rejoiced in the perfect beauty Of It's foliage The
air VI ned will fran AuArr Ii