The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-03
4URsDAY MORNING, DECEMBER g. 1863

touches of humorous and suggestive descrlp-
tion are worthy OF Dickens or Hans Andersen.
But, perhaps, the most striking feature OF the
book is the wealth OF quiet, gushing poetry
which pervades it. 1t is almost as if the au-
which overfows in these bursts Of peaceful yet
triumphant melody. The impulse is aim ost
irresistible 10 enrich the poetry Of this notice
by quoting passage after passage, whose
rhythm haunts the readers heart as he re-
gretfuuy closes the book. But our space for
bids the indulgence, and we must content ollr-
selves by that advice which best ends and
epitomizes all our criticism-to buy and read.
No earnest reader will ever regret his acq quaint
ance with either Alec Forbes or his creator
"who Breaks Puys," &c. New York: Leypoldt l.
Holt Charleston: Johu Russell.
The author of "Who Breaks, Pays" has an
acknowledged and well-sustained claim upon
the affection of noveLreadcrs. That very
charming story, with it's hardly less delightful
companion, "Skirmishing," long ago establish
ed Mrs. Jenkins right to prominent place
among lady-novelists. In the present book we
recognize with satisfaction many Of the attrac-
tive characteristics which were so eminent in
her first. There is the same singular insight
the same power OF developing character,
especially female character,-the same thor
ough knowledge and vivid portraiture of French
modern society and domestic relations,-th
same faculty Of artistic and pictorial expression
which made "Who Breaks, Pays" zone of the
suggestive as Well as piquant novels Of its
day. About the whole book there is that subtle
inde6nable grace and spirit which the French
express by their untranslatable uerUe. Analysis,
profound and searching, yet never obtrusiye;
psychological insight as remarkable almost for
its power of suppressng, as Of expressing
emotion-a rare self-restraint, ard, finally, q
faculty of philosophic Illustration, both vigor-
Gus and discriminating, make up list Of quail
ties, somewhat unusual in writer OF the au-
thor's class, but Of which the result is literary
work Of very superior kind.
The keynote of the present story is adapted
from the old myth Of Cupid and Psyche, and
the illustration is well and forcibly presented.
Both Paul and Regina are well-conceived and
contrasted characters; and the inevitable
painfulness of the story is fully atoned for by
it's truth and naturalness. If the catastrophe
Of the tale lacks the symmetry Of The Greek
ideal, some allowance must be made for the
imperfect humanity OF the actors in the mod
ern drama. Mrs. Jenkins genius is essentially
tragic, but she contrives to present her readers
with tragedy, which is neither sensational nor
sensual, and we can hardly give her higher
praise.
THE WAvERLEY NOVELS. New York: D. Appleton
Co. Charleston: John Russell.
D. Appleton & Co. have issued the first vol
ume Of their new edition of Waverley, which
contains Waverley, Guy Mannering, Kenil-
worth and Ivanhoe. This edition is printed
from the plates of the "Plaid" Waverley, but
will contain many additional engravings. 1t is
very tastefully bound in green and gold, and
will be an ornament to any library. The same
firm have issued st. Romans We'll, of the
'Plaid" edition Of Waverley. 1t has all the
merits of the numbers which preceded it
These books are for sale by John Russell
Kina-strcet.
P1cc1oLA BY X. B. Saintine. New edition. New
York: D. Appleton & Co. Charleston: John Rus
sell.
This is one of the purest and 6entlest 70
n.ances ever written in The French tongue
1t is tinged, perhaps, with melancholy, but iti
philosophy is deep and true. No work more
charming than this could be placed in tho
hands of young girl; yet it will deeply inter
est persons of mature age.