The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-16

serve to illustrate them, and an appendix is
subjoined containing documents OF similar
bearing. There can be no question OF the his
torical significance of the work, which, how
ever, does not call for detailed criticism. 1t
makes alarge volume of s56 pages. and Is
sold for 50.
ASTERos. A Novel. By the author of Guy LiT-
ingstone, &C. New York Harper d BROS.
charleston: Holiness Bookhouse. Price 50
cents.
Mr.. Lawrence's last book deserves the
usual praise for it's cleverness, and the usual
condemnation for its immortality The PAU
Mall Gazette has called it ''a mastery analy-
isis of illicit passion" and these words in
truth convey the aptest criticism OF its
merits and dement's. It is perhaps useless
for critics to say that in spite of the ortho-
dox inalities to which Mr.. Lawrence always
conducts his melodramas, he is yet an essen
TALLY immoral writer. His books are read
and admired by the public OF the period,
and he can afford, in so far, to laugh his
critics to scorn True, his feeling is hol-
low; his rhetoric often tawdry, and his
theory OF life superficial and unsatsfac-
tory. But he can quote Owen Meredith with
effect, and is remarkably strong on Ecclesi-
astes, though the lessons he teaches are
hardly Solomonian. But he doubtless acts
up to his lights, and the glare, though scarce
" very pleasing is undoubtedly effective.
A LIES Ass1zE. Novel. BY Mrs. J. h.
Riddell, author of ''George Geith, "Phemie
Keller" &c. New York: Harper 4 Bros.
Charleston Holiness Bookhouse. Price 30
cents.
The author of "George Geth" is not to be
confounded with the mere ephemeral story
tellers of the day. She is more than ma
ker of books; her novels always present o
clear and definite idea faithfully worked out;
and she writes the English language with a
rhythmic force. and feryor very unusual in
authors of her class. George Geith' is
well known as one of the most powerful fic-
tions of the last decade, and in "Phemie
Keller" nearly as great success, though OF
different sort, is attained In her present
novel her march is still onward. ''A Life's
Assze" is a story which it is impossible to
read without the most intense and vivid
sympathy. 1t is by no means sensational in
the vulgar sense, though it begins with and
is founded upon trial for murder; and yet
its main idea is strikingly dramatic, and its
analysis Of human emotion subtle and pro-
found. The author herself calls it ''not
'novel of stirring incidents, or Of rapid ac-
"tion following upon swift events; but rather
sthe story of one human beings feelings
photographed even while they were deeting
"by." The description is just, but made
auate. The most ardent lover OF the ultra
sensational cannot fail to be interested in
the history OF Andrew Hardell's life-secret;
the student of character must deeply sympa-
thize with the mastery unfolding OF the
heros career in accordance with the laws oil
his peculiar personality, which are faithfully
adhered to; and, finally, no one who enjoys
nervous and rhythmic prose can foil to dwell
with delight upon the eloquent words with
which the whole story is clothed. In short,
ga Lilies Assize" is worth reading for nearly
every reason for which o novel is worth
reading at all.