Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-10-14

SWELL HUNTINGToN.-We fad in the
Vermont Chronicle the following review
Of Mr.. Dorr's new book, Syb.i Hunting
ton, written by the Rev. Aaron q. Pease,
Of this village, which is 70 just and APP
preciatiye of the merits Of the book, that
We take great pleasure IN laying 1t before
our readers +: o.
Sibyl Huntington, by Mr.. J. G. Il.
Dorr. j. a book 81 which no intelligent
reader can think or speak otherwise than
with respect and admiration.
/ admire il Tor the purity aud Elevation
of IFS style and sentiment. No sutbor
writes in purer English. or gives utter
ance 10 nobler or purer sentiments. The
grace, delicacy and yigor Of her mother
tongue are natural 10 her. and he wields
it with the ease and force of master.
She evidently does not have 10 wait for
the fitting word. Il is always ready
without call, her ''airy -eryitor," 10 do
/ her bidding, and become the clothing and
the vehicle of her Thought.
She looks al all life and character from
the standpoint of refined. cultivated and
christian womanhood. No snrer guaran-
tee could be asked for the purity If the
Z
Her unduestion bic genius most con-
clusiyely asserts itself an the life-iIke re-
ality and marked individuality Of her
characters. She makes them live in our
memories and our hearts, and they be-
come to u- a possession and joy for ever.
When can we cease - remember aud love
Ruth Huntington aud her faithful lover,
John G Ardner: When can they cease 10
- .s = s1r~.
emplars 10 us of all that is sweet. tender
and divine IN womanhood. and all that is
true, strong and noble in manhood
The history of their trial, their endurance
and their fidelity will tend to purge out
all the grossnes- from our ideas OF love
and marriage, and seat them IN the high
est and hottest places in orr conceptions
and our hearts.
The life and fortunes OF Sibyl her
self, whose story it j. the main object
of TIE book. TO tell, exhibit the strength,
depth, heroism and rnode-ty OF the higher
womanly nature, in rare and striking,
and, at the same time, true and natural
light. We shall learn from her example
the better to appreciate the yearnings and
the struggles of richly endowed female
nature, for the privileges and the means
of intellectual culture-for a career in the
paths of literature aud science, for useful-
ness in the higher spheres OF life and la
Dor. We shall be more earnest friends of
female education, and rank the female
seminary on a nearer level with the col
lege. We shall more distinctly realize
that the same intellects and the same in
tellectual cravings and wants are in
both, and should have equal recognition,
respect, and opportunity.
The harmony-in contrast, Of the two
sisters whose lives and fortunes are 50
interviewer and inseparable. IL beautiful
and instructive. The distinctive qualities
of each are skilfully brought out by con-
trast with these Of the other. They are
entirely unlike, and yet in perfect sympa-
thy,-opposites, but not c1ntrariiies-
needful and helpful u each other-neither
quite herself without the other.
Their father, Ralph Huntington, is one
Of natures noblemen, their love and reyer-
ence for him, so touching and 70 beauti-
full; flial piety had never had inner ex-
qualification than they gave II. Not TO
speak of the trsgical interest OF ~ 5Ifs re-
turn to her home, and finding her father
dead, the account of the funeral j. won
derful for it, simplicity and solemnity.
Ones highest ambition might well be to
be mourned and buried by bis neighbour,
as Ralph Huntington was by his.
The communion season IN kuth's sick
room deserves mention. IL can never be
forgotten by the reader. The manner in
which Ruth wins her hitherto non-com-
municant sister TO the confession and COM
of the love of Christ Is i'm
pressive and beautiful in the highest de-
gree.