New-York tribune., 1870-11-29
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
RECENT NOVELS.

WITH FATE AGAINST HIM. BY AMANDA M. DOUGLAS
I2mo pp. $40. sheldon Il Co
The fine thread of ethical purpose which runs
through the whole structure of this novel does not
lmnart didactc air to the composition. In spite of
~ evident design to nculcate profound lesson OF
life Inv its illustrations Of character it has nothing
NJ the formality of moral DISCOURSE, and never
attempts to enforce the appeals of the preacher in
stead of unfolding the conceptions Of the artist.
With limited selection of materials, the plot is con-
structed with great Skill keeping curiosity on the
alert and preserving the secret of the story till nearly
the close of the narrative The characters are few in
number but decided individuality and in their gem
eral grouping true TO the laws of dramatic effect
In the opening scene which is introduced by sineu
larly striking description of dea III bed the young
heir to q large estate is made to promise MS er"hu
father that he would marry certain favorte COUSIN
under the penalty of forfeitng the inheritance II he
did not This promise is the keynote to the subse-
auent narrative and involves tissue of consequences
which are artfulIy concealed till the last moment,
with only occasional gimpses to suggest the
final development sudden change OF scene
Then brings forward the hero of the story
for the first time Victor Hurst, an
,unrentice TO a large establishment of machine
works in a manufacturing town In Pennsylvania
and the reputed eon Of poor missionary clergyman
devoted 20 the spiritual welfare of the operatives
The method Of the writer is to display succession
of pictures rather than to indulge in elaborate ver
bal descriptions. She brings the young iron-smith
yiyidly before the fancy, as at the END OF long
Summer day, he stood in his place, amid heat, and
smoke and cinders, deafened by the incessant
crunch and whir Of machinery, the ponderous
ring Of the hammer, the click OF fifty
sharp instruments that cut as clean as a
euillotne and hundred OF two more, that
oI,oI ,Ir.xro al and naA maxi N n
chorus of hideous sounds and rasping every nerve
with their diabolcal harmony. An inward instinct
had long since informed the young man that he was
out of place. natural love of beauty, and an
almost unconscious yearning for the life of an artist
were developed in passionate intensity. His mind
became the seat of fearful struggle. Wagng
q fierce war with his condition, he began TO
despair of the goodness of God, and the
destiny of man. He loved to nurse his sombre
fancies over the fires of the forge, and grimly
smiled as he thought Of the dross being purged
ont of the human soul in the same fashion in the
burning lake. His mother. a tall, slender woman,
looking young for her forty years, with native
grace and sweetness of above her station in
life and clear trusty voice, that inspired conf
dence the moment il was heard, endeavOred to pour
oil upon the troubled waters, but with little effect
The mystery between mother and son that Is deli
eately hinted at presents constant entjcement TO
the reader feeding, but not gratifying, curiosity,
throughout the complications of the narrative. John
Hurst, the husband religious enthusiast of
the sterner type, whose whole soul was de-
voted to the salvation of his fellow-creatures and
with fiery nature which was held down only by
certain fixed rules He nearly sixty years of age,
thin and angular in his figure and his coarse faded
black coat hanging loosely his shrunken chest
His face was strongly marked. High cheek bones
which left great hOllows underneath, short and
rather thick nose deep Get, light-gray eyes and
. forehead somewhat narrow, though high and bold
h might have suggested resemblance to John Knox
Like the the Scottish autocrst of reform, he had
iron will, bowling only to his rigid conscience
and his religion. He had cast out the gTaces of
youth as many snares of the devil Every
thought every emotion was subjected to the
severest scrutiny. There remained not a point
around which imagination might play. He
would have plucked out his right eye or cut of
his right hand, literally if thereby he might have
served God the better No points in common could
be traced between the old man aud the youthful
Victor The tall slender STRIPPING had always stood
In strange awe of his father. Some old trlck o.
ancestry seemed to have revived at his BIRTH anC
taken away all likeness 10 his kindred. Such, in
rde sketch is the basis OF the story which gradually
expands into dramatic narrative with numerous
elements Of tragic power, although the final result
in accordance with the best sympahes of the reader
which have been often painfully enlisted in the
fortunes of the hero. The effect ie produced by a
certain rare truthfuness of method with no appeals
20 artificial sources of excitement, Overcharged
descriptions or statements, and always giving the
impression Of a fund of reserved strength. The
writer we think has genuine gift for the express
sion Of character by It's development in action rather
than by any arts of delineation. Her figures in nc
variety If circumstances fail TO preserve their iden
tity. With few exceptions they persons OF sgn-
cant and subtle traits, requiring no common ability to
do Justice TO the original conception. They retain
decided color Of naturalness although they are
separated from the miscellaneous crowd by bold
and peculiar features of individuality. The style of
the writer is perhaps remarkable for vigor than
ease always terse and emphatic, crude, though
sometimes little rugged often bright with the
glow of thought and rich with the fresh aromatic
fragrance of sincerity. II certainly rare that we
meet with native work of fiction written from a
purer depth of experience, OF with more genuine
power of expression.
AT LAST A Novel. By MARION HARLAsp. 12mo. pp
500 Carleton.
The Issue of the twelfth volume from the pen Of
the author of this story may be regarded as an evil
denee Of her popular Her writings 1t is un
derstood have gained wide circulation both in this
country and in England; they eagerly sought by
readers who have taste for the sensational ctons
of the day and are welcomed by many families who
are not little scrupulous in the selection Of books
for the entertainment of their members. The excel
lent moral tone Of her novels no doubt contributes
nucL to their iay0ralleIccepto SbeDeveI catento
morbid love oI excitement by yrcproseutinG corrupt
passions III aliu,inc Erlt. HeI obaructer are
Usually found within the natural range Of human
tion, and an made up Of the average materials Oi
daily life. They often present examples Of rare moral
beauty in u modest, and even humble, environment.