The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-12
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NEW BOOKS.

CAMERON HALL: A Story of the Civil War. ByM. A: c:
author Of 1he Little Ep1scopalian, "Besse Melville,
ETC. Philadelphia : J. B. Ippincott & Co., 1857.
III. A. c., we learn is Miss MARY ANN CRUISE, of
Huntsville Ala, and Cameron Hall" is the first
Of her books we have seen; and although the title
of the work-'sA Story Of the Civil War"-usually
prevents any further reading Of a book on our
part, we in this instance, EY an effort, oVercame
the repugnance, and faithfully and conscientiously
read the whole 543 pages Of "Calceron Hal." Our
objection to novels founded on the facts connected
with the civil war, ale the same we siould have to
romances on any other cotemporary historical
event. The scenes, events, and characters Of the
story are all too fresh in our memories. Every
statement is instincively measured by the truth OF
history; and not only this but by our individual
view Of such truth. There is an intuitiye running
criticism in the mind Of the reader fatal to oil en-
enjoyment Of the story. No man is hero to hls
ualet de cltdmbre. Familiarity must ever remain
antagonistc to all attempts at romance The
childs fancy delights in picturng world OF prln-
ces, palaces, fairies and gen;i We are aware that
the daring and sacrilegious utilitarianism OF the
day has invaded this domain also; and JACOB
ABBorr has written, and the HARrERs have pub
lished some six or seven dozen OF Rollo Books,
Beechnut Stories, etc.,-the most dreary and unat-
tractiye children's books ever known; full OF
preachments, short stories and long morals. We
think, however, We Gun safely predict short
lived immortality for the whole tribe OF them.
In reading novels big folks aye children, and pre-
fer the great the lofty the nattalnabe, the vague
and mysterious, even if exaggerated, to mere
common place narration Of the Incidents OF every
dsy life around them. Sir WALTER ScorT well un-
derstood this idiosyncracy and profted by IT,
sst Romans WE'LL" perhaps the best Of his CO.
temporary novels can only bear comparison with
his historical romances, because the hand OF tho
same transcendent genius traced the picture
DICKENS succeeds in treating such subjects be-
cause Of his hunlour, his knowledge OF huma1
characters and unparalleled descriptive powers
THAcKERAY delighted select audience, lit though
few by his trenchant satire and inimitable
sketches Of society. But neither of these great
masters, we think would have ventured, 80 soon
after the evont, on description IN narrative nc
ton Of the scenes and incidents OF civil war, all
the occurrences connected with which perfectly
familiar to every one of his readers. 1t is too
soon to treat the subject from an ideal point OF
view, and realism, for the reasons above given, Is
fatal to it as work Of art.
There are great masters OF painting IN both
schools; but to entitle picture to admiration,
true and lasting, it must show something more
than the bare realism Of the Pre-Raphaelitos,
which finds nothing bizarre in the cobbler's judg-
ment, whose acumen exhausted itself in the crit
ical examination Of the Papal shoe tree,
mountain, figures Of animals, and the human face
,,, llo ooPn of trna fment
in both styles. Rosa BoNHEuR will paint you
horse, OF dog, or the highland heather, true to
nature and to lfo, while Sir EDWIN LANDsEEns in
terpretation of the same themes, equally true to
life, are yet highly idealized. But what is in itself
commonplace, cannot be rendered poetic or beau
tiful A mathematically correct drawing of q
house. wall, a locomotive or sewing machine are
not without their merit, and may be sometrically
beautiful, but they are by common consent ban
ished from the domain of the fine arts.
So is it-certainly should be-in the field of
literature. The characters OF novel may be very
true to nature, and yet be intolcrable. Is it not
enough that we must endure stupidity in our daily
intercourse with men and women? Are We prepar-
ed to have all this ineptitude phonograp he'd, and
then be compelled to read it2 The more faithfully
such characters are drawn-the more lfe-like the
conversations worse the book. No amount of
unexceptionahle morality, virtuous example, and
poetic Justice, can compensate tor this, even
though it be all written in excellent English But
il to these drawbacks is superadded, as is not
unfrequently the case, total want of invention,
and the book is unredeemed by aught that could
relieve tho dull nonotony Of proyerbial patitudes,
then NC have the perfection of the modern moral
and religious novel-ssThe Wide Wide Worlds"
';Queechys," &c.
To show how difficult task it is at this time to
write either a fair history of the civil war, or
novel bearing upon it, we will mention the case OF
MARION HAR1AND, who recently made the essay III
her s:sherbrooke.' Herself Virginian born, but
resident of New Jersey, she was condemned by
the Southern press for viewing everything from
Yankee stand point, and by the Northern papers
because of her partiaGty for "rebels. !"
We do not wish to be understood as applying
any Of the foregoing remarks specially to ''Came-
ron Hail." We have spoken of the characteristics
Of tile genus, and as belonging to that genus, the
book before us must be considered open to the
same objections. The onus probandi is with it,
and We are happy to say deal of very good proof
has been submitted showing cause why this pres
ent book should be acquitted from tho severe
charges under which it has been brought into
court. The language is good, style simple and
pleasing and there is an abundance OF mystery.
We have two or three secrets running all through
the story The idea Of the blind girl Agnes anu
hcr sayings and doings is not altogether originals
rather a favorite theme Of late years with lady
novelists. Uncle John is sort OF Squire All
worthy only found in romances. There is, how
ever, too much talk. The conversations are many
very long, and often pointless A deep religious
tone peryades the whole work; and although there
is total absence of anything like wit or hunlor
Cameron Hall" is, nevertheless, very interest
ing story and will be read with pleasure as well as
benefit by the average class Of novel readers.
ANDREW JoRssoN IS READY FOR TR1AL.-The
Washington Republican, the special organ OF presl
dent JOHNSON, in it's issue Of Tuesday, says:
A member Of the United States House OF Nepfe,,
sentatiyes, who, a few years since, was charged
with corruptly using his Office as member Of inc