New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-11

fEAvF HEARTS Az A~FrIcay Noui. b. noDEEIs1N GH1l.
l2no 2S4 =. o. Fond Co.
The productions of the Pacific Coast no
longer suggest merely rich store of precious metals
and fruits of magnitude and beauty but new
vein imaginative poetry, and choice specimens Of the
literature Of dctiou. In The present work we arc
brought into contact with author hitherto unknown
unless, indeed, the name the uepage IS intended
sal a disguise rather than a description but VINO mas
bravely Won MS spurs by the power OF invention and
fertility Of illustration with which he has transformed
the experience OF border life into the materials Of
artistic effect The is Land in California before the
introduction Of railroads. when the primeyal stage
coach was n the glory Of lis youth. giving occasion to
perilous adventures and har-breadth escapes TO mad
drives down the steep descent and to strange catastro
pbes the danger Of which concealed by Tie excite
men In those days the routes Of travel were occupied
Nv a peculiar race The home stations were often
adorned with the preseuce Of woman, NOT OF
course showing the graces Of fashionable society,
but most probably faded and fOrlorn specimens Of
the sex. With all their steInness OF feature
and expression, they It'll gave rude charm
20 the surroundings, and .fordcd pleasant yari-
alton TO the general masculine monotOny. The
staonkeepers in many Instances men of strong,
Giraffe character Offering tempting subject 20 the
suden OF human nature IL only persons OF blood
and muscle who at that time had the motivepoweT TO
IND their way 10 such Wild and remote region. The
love OF money was not The only cause that had
with people whose secret reasons for choice of resi-
oepee could not De guessed by those who did not know
their history IL Is easy 10 that such population
would be rich in the elements OF romance Tho routine
of daily life always presented scenes which pqued tho
aenatioU. aud needed only the hand Of master to he
clothed with comic. il may be-, tragic interest. In
the selection his materials he author Of this volume
has exercised keen aud yigi.ant No circumstance
worthy Of note has euded his attention His characters
are mostly taken from the crnde masses ~ humanity
which bad escaped from the restraints OF civilization
but he has presented them in light which awakens IN
terest the outset ana before The denOnement Of the
plot challenges profound sympathy His peculiar skill
- evinoed IN the effective use which he makes
Of common events. An air ~ intense reality psrvades
hie narrative. While t inspired with the subtle
senoe which only imaginative power can impart 70
eompOsiuOn IL reads ike Story Of every day life, the
in which yOu mas have known, or in which pos
ably you may yourself have taken part II shows no
eYaggeraGon either IN design IN execution and even
tbe dialect OF the place. with ITS unscrupuous pctur
.soueness used with temperate reserve That is
potent than unlicensed Indulgence in IT, racy VOcab
u,ary Several OF the truly master pieces Of
description The bes Of them derived from adven
lures on road OF the personage In the drama, ste
heB Moore the shrewd and valiant stage driver who
had left the profession OF for The adventurous cali
3ng Of California Jeho. most likely 10 prove general
5avore He IS actually The center around which all the
Interests OF the plot revoye and shows himself no less
capable OF winning hearts. than Of handling tine reins
His character admirable conception, and is carried
.nt With great 6Deness OF insight and harmony OF de-
tail But the chief attraction of the work consists less
3B the my steres OF the plot than in the vivid paint
isolated scenes, although the soft simmer OF the
love story which plays around the narrative affords
easant relief the exhibition Of the passions
The figures from civilized life make less happy impress
sjop and 20 he perfectly candid seem rather tame hut
shs doubtless owing the contrast with the splendid
parbariem Of the frst California decade.