Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-02-05
Novels,

| We have on our table several novels which
have been waiting for notice some weeks.
I "CLAUDGA," by Amanda NJ Douglas, is a
neat volume issued by Lee & Shepard, Boston
Miss Douglas is the author of % In Trust,
- Stephen Dane - etc. Unfortunately for
literature, she is not one of the writer's who
improve in style the they write.
% In Trust was very well written story, de-
serving of commendation, and giving promise
Of better things to follow. But the better
things have not followed - Stephen Dane -
being poorer instead better and Claudia y
not being equal in plot, or style, or sentiment,
to either of the others. Miss Douglas has
command Of a very good style, and seems ca
pable of much better performances than her
last achievements. She should abandon the
field now SO much frequented by novelists,
in which the requirements of custom and
moral law and human enactments are gene
rally represented as restraints upon the best
impulses of the heart, and which none but
the most brilliant and versatile pens can rem
der attractive she is hardly equal to the
fine coloring which by its exquisit tints con-
ceals somewhat the repulsive characteristics
of this style of novels.
- ANNALS OF a QUIET NEIGHBoRHooD - is the
title of a novel published by the Harpers. 1t
is written by George Macdonald, who has al
ready attained reputation the author of
.. David Elginbrod, - 3. Alec Forbes of How
glen, and other works. The story is not
after the sensational order. but is as its title
indicates the story of quiet parish, as told
by its minister. 1t is in most marked con
trast to the modern novel, especially such
novel as . Claudia.' In the q Annals = the
religious side of human nature is given
prominence,-a prominence which it seldom
has even in many of the better class of works
Of fetion-such prominence as a clergyman
who has human sympathies and human affec-
tions, tempered by deyout and earnest picty,
would be likely to give.
The book has a fresh and living interest,
being, it evidently IS the production Of a
full mind, whose abundant thoughts here
find expression, the result Of life richly
colorcd by the influence of divine truth, and
actively conyersant with the aspirations of
the soul as well as the affections Of the hearts
Of his people. We regret that we have no
space this week to transfer to our columns
some Of the delightful descriptions Of natural
scenery, as well a. some Of the profound wis
dom with which the volume abounds
8 TnE IIUcrENor FAMILY" story writ
tan by Sarah Tytler, author of = Cheyenne
Jacqueiinc - etc, has recently been placed
before the public by the IIarpers, in a volume
of 800 pages. II is the story of French
family, Hugusnots in faith, in England. The
history occurred about the time of the Amcri-
can War Of Independence, and some Of the
characters are described as taking part in
that war.-but this is only an incidental
part of the story. The religion and wor-
ship Of that time. well the politics of
England are more OF less brought into notice.
The volume belongs to the better class of
novels, filed with the scenes and incidents
Of lives not discolored with the gloomy and
hideous light Of unsubdued and unlawful
passions and it is told with simplicity
and naturalness Of manner. and force and
vigor of thought and expression, that main
tain the interest and command the admira-
tion of the reader
The Harpers have issued two volumes of
their cheap edition-paper covers-of a Ii
brary Of select novels, = The Brothers Bet
or Within Six Weeks by Emile Flygare
CarIen, and 9 Carlyon's Year by the author
Of q Lost Sir Massingiord.' The publishers
select for this Library novels written by the
best authors. All the works in the series
are unabridged and unaltercd. They are
sent to any address on receipt Of the price,
25 cents for each vnlume