New-York tribune., 1872-03-26

KATE BEAUMONT BgJ W. DE f""""r s'o. l6' J. H.
o.goOi Co.
The materials for this story are derived
from an ancient icud between two prominent families IN
the interior Of South Carolina rathor than rom the de-
veloprncnt of passion ana character IN the history 0f
personal experience. 1t the Old tale 0f the NonaGuoe
and the Capulets reproduced in the Belunonts and
DIcAlIisters of Southern society. The action Of the
plot accordingly is maintained By groups rather than
hy individuals everything being made subServicn TO the
illustration of the family quarrel, and the network
incidents employed Tor it, recon' iaiion In the
execution " his plan. the author cFinces not little
ingenuity in arranging the sequence OF events and nnds
ample opportunity for series of hfchke ana vigorous
sketches Of the pccuGJ.ies Of Southern lfe they
were exhibited in The of O,cty prior 10 the war ~
the Rebellion. Ills strongest point is the porrdure Of
character while he l. defective in the art Of pure
and graceful narrative. The dcncatons of Col.
John Kcrshaw, of Bruce McAUiStcr, II Major
Lawson. and of other less prominent pcrsonas's,
are vivid picturesque, cViucuSa certain mystery
in that style of composition. which is not found IN ;hr
general details of the volruc. The dialogue often
urescnts r;cy Aavor aud excellent is made Of the
provincial cOiloquiaiam9 hs- season he language of
common life IN South Carolina But ia the construction
ot narrative. think Lc 0uhpr quite 100 free
and easy satisfy the dcmaHds. NOT 'i riNdy severe,
but even " catholic and tolerant taste. The style
frequently betr7iys the marks of rradty atd haste
free from afectatio aud precnting hand natural
simplicity il is spotted With cAur sinns tIt cal clam
no place in good writing, il they are possibly adj
Missile in the n, cdom Of iamir cow vi1tou. We 10
not REFER oi course the characteristic language which
the author puts into the months ot the various iHcr0-
cufors IN the scene hui the phrscOlugy which he
adnped in malice prcpcnsc description and
five in his own person. Thus IN the dr-t chapter he
speaks Of Charleston city which thOught the
strongest kind of Itself The turning In the
mornIn; of the droWsy travellers on sHfpboard is
described 10y the inimitable phrase " The pas
sengcrs resurrtct." 4 speaker reduced 10 silence is
more. than once said 10 shut up" The fare %; beau
fiful girl il Described as having expire 'ion which
did the beh0ldcrs business" managing widow courts
the acquaintance Of a fellow passenger, because she
wanted him to De- sweet upon herself" The description
Of the physical appearance %! growing young man.,
with broad shoulders, SIDE whsSers mu-tache,' is
completed by the very definite trait, and all that
Drinking bad liquor is graphically called taking pint
OF whisky board" We do not know whether should
ascrbe bcshes like hcse Ia reryersiy.
They may he adopted by the author a. symbols OF rude
siren 9Th and a defiance Of The pIfn laws the pre-
cisian Just precOci0us ch III the Bowcry loves 10
swear and chew tobacco an evidence of manhood !;
but they are unworthy writer of such real ability
Mr. DE Forest and greatly d- hguIe the pages which
they were probably meant TO imtIiy They belong 10 a
lower order OF literature That which he il qualified
10 occupy He possesses lively imagination small
power of invention keen OF humor. a.dexterOus
command OF guage, and remarkable skil in hitting of
the characteristics OF Southern society and character
but he cannot claim the palm % eminent
novelist until lie pes hs vocabulary OF such noxious
weeds