New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-05
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
,,,ppp,cUs ON THE HEIGHTS.

n
M n,rr HEIGHTS. Novel. BY BERTHoIDT AUER-
-" pAru "a mo PIP. 5H Boston Roberts BIotherS'
Ar,ono the living European nOvellsts, Auerbach
holds n nreGminent rank He combines IN remark
nile degree the power Of profound reflection, acute
ANALYSIS of passion, and keen insight into the
motives of human activity, with rare gift of vivid
delineation and no small skill in the construction
and development of plot. His work is Sngulmly
free from bold and gaudy colOrng, and depends for
its effect the minute fidelity and subtle refinement
Of it's touches and the yeracty and naturalness of
its Illustrations With his striking fidelity of execu
ton, he never overlays his subject with wearisome
details and though he negleets no trait or expression
which may throw light on his characters, he is
always less explicit than suggestive III his scenes
appealing to the imagination of the reader for the
perfect recognition of his designs
The present story. which must be regarded rs pos
sessing higher claims than any OF the previous
writings of the author, though not aiming at dis
tinctly didactc purpose, is essentially of phllo-
sopbie and ethical character, and makes the
narrative subseryent to the illustration of an idea
IL relates the experience of two highly endowed ana
noble natures that under the influence OF sentiment
rather than of baser impulses, prove false TO thelr
tuty and thus extend Overa wide circle the inevitable
consequences of weak self-indulgence and betrayal
Of trust The writer makes no attempt to palliate
intensity of Illustration the far reaching misery and
ruin which it entails but he finds place forrcpent
ance and expiation in the recuperative power OF
human nature He gives no countenance to the doc
trne that to the pure all things pure that SIN
cerity of attachment forms eXcusefor social trans
erosion; but he so far opposes himself to prevailing
opinion as to show that false step in one direction
may be consistent with true nOblencss Of soul in
other relations that the effects of evil may be tenn
perary in their nature, and slough away from the
essential being leaving the original elements oil
purity and moral strength TO the chance OF recovery
by the discipline of life.
Apart from the leading interest of the novel
which centers in not q uncommon episode
in royal courts the attachment Of the king to a
gifted and beautiful maid of honor it derives very
attractive quality from the subordinate characters
of the plot whO though few in number are placed IN
highly effective relations and leave an impression on
the reader as distinct and natural as the persOnage
in real life. WalpuTga, the peasant nurse from the
mountains of the interior, the shrewd old grand
mother whose quaint wisdom is the light OF the
rustic household, the sagaciOus physician TO the
king, Dr. Gunther who blends the counsels OF
aserene and elevated philosophy, with great prac-
teal experience, Baum, the smoothtongued villain
Of the story, with his half-sayage brother Thomas
who partakes of the wdness of the rocks and forest
the feminine elements of trustfulness and suspicion
forgiveness and ind natiOn so curiOusly blended in
her thoroughly wOmanly natWeta, . all depicted
with admirable skill, and form cabinet of porrai-
lures with which few creations of modern fiction
can vie.
The journal of Irma, which affords lucid mirror
of her inner experience after her voluntary retire
ment from the world is a mastery piece of COM
position, Astounding in wise and subtle Observa-
ton, and presenting example of acute intro
specton and self-analyss, without morbid question
ings or etfemnate complaints To say nothing of the
interest of this story narrative, its high intel
lectual character gives it value entirely beyond
comparison with most of the popular fctions of the
day 1t is profound without being obscure never te-
diOus though swarming with philosOphic reflections,
full of feeling but without shallow sentimentality
and seeking to enhance its brlancy of execu-
tion by the introduction of forced and unnatuTa