New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-01-18
DICKENs'S OUR MUTUAL FRIEND.

OUR MUTUAL FRIEND. BY CBiRLrs DicKgSs 2 vols.
Emo Philadelphia: I. b. r.ter,on Go.
The identity Of Dickens genius is always main
tanned in spite of the marvellous variety Of his
creations. Without repeating himself, the hand of
the fay orte master is always visible, the peculiar
favor which gives such perpetual charm TO his
compositions, appears TO be derived from m mex
hausiblc Fountain its flow is US rich and deep, as
when We first tasted of its spicy sweetness; AID
though the characters now introduced to our ac-
quain,ancc are not merely new names with old
faces, they exhibit the same family Likeness which
marks the authors unique gallery OF portraits.
In "Our Mutual Friend tho humorous oxag-
gcraton which stamps all the comic conceptions
Of Dickens with ali irresistible grotcsquencss is
carried perhaps 10 an unusual extent, his broad
caricatures are more dashne. more melodiama,ic
than ever, his luyuriani, reckless delineatons are
less tempered with sense Of probability; but, at
tho same time the qualities which they illustrate
have such an undeniabe basis in human character,
that We become rcconcilcd 20 their cxtrayacant
manifestations, they even appear with certain air
Of naturalness, and though We never meet with
their prototypes in actual life we do not entertain
the slightest doubt of their substantial reality.
Tho Boilinses, tho Podsnaps, tho Veneerings, the
r. Wilmer, the Fascination Fledebys are certainly
not 10 be found in the circle Of our acquaintance;
VIC are every moment struck with their sbsurdiiy;
one is almost ashamed TO be amused at their ex-
travagancc but sill cherish the heartiest faith
in their existence and should moi be at all surprised
If they were to turn up suddenly in actual flesh and
blood. No writer of fiction approaches Dickens in
the exercise Of the power of apparently impossible
combinations. With few touches Of nature, over
which be has such wonderful mastery, he gives
reality to the grotesquo in form and development
and reduces the gaycst caricatures to tho proper.
tons of life.
The plot of "Our Mutual Friend is even moro
complicated, irregular, and loosely constructed
than in most of his former productions, OF which
the disjointed composition, and irrelevant episodes
draw so largely oil tho good nature OF the reader
Whether it proceeds from tho circumstance Of
serial publication, or from the intellectual habits
and tendencies Of the author, there is a singular
want OF consccutivcncss in the narrative the story
often most proy0kingly hangs fire, heavy machinery
is introduced without apparent purpose, We seem TO
be travelling in circle instead of marching on,
great expectations are awakened by the promise of
certain characters who at length disappear from
the stage, without the fulfllment of any mission.
Indeed the interest OF this novel depends far more
ON the power Of its separate sketches, than OH
sustained curiosity TO learn tho sequel of the plot
Several Of the scenes perhaps as remarkable as
anything that Ar Dickens has written for their
Intensity of passion and their deep pathos. The
following description, for instance Of the last days
of decrepid old pauper woman, who was haunted
by the spectral fear Of ending her life amid the cold
charities of tho workhousc, is in his finest sein
Old Betty Higden Jared upon her pilgrimage as many
raggedly honest creatures, women and men, fare on
their rUng way along the roads OF life. Patiently Ia
spare bare living and quietly 10 die untouched
by workhouse bands-ihis was her highest sublurary
hope
Nothing had been heard Of ler at Mr. Boffn's house
since che trudged or The weather had been hard ana
the roads had been bad and her spirit up A less
starch spirit might Lave been slbdued by such adverse
Influences; but the loan for her little outfit was in no
Dart repaid. and II had gone worse with her than she
hr. foreseen and she put upon proving her case
and maintaining her independence.
faithful soul When she had spoken 10 the Score.
tary Of that "deadness that steals over at tines
her fortudc had made too little o it, Oiiener and ever
oftener 10 came stealing over her: darker and ever
darker like the shadow Of advancing Death That the
shadow should be deep ne il came on, like the shadow
OF actual presence in accordance with tie laws
Of the nh, steal word, for all the Ligbi that shone on
Betty Higden Ivy beyond Death.
Tie poor old creature had taken the upward course
of the river Thames her general lIack; II tie
track in which Ter last home lay and Of which she had
fox little while in the near neghborhood Of her shan