New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
EcCLESTON,s THE CIRCUIT-RIDER.


blended in this story with the re6neDents Oh ~
erary culture 1t is alive with the sounu VI i"'ne
streams and the echoes of the forest pu' SNo"S
certain graceful self-possession when pe'iaSo 'n0
presence of the artists power II not us consun''
,xnrossion Mr.. Eerleston, however, has not AIMED
st the construction of an elaborate plot ms oooA
a. rather collection of effective Materials than
b,eb-wrought picture of the impressive scenes by
,bicb II has been inspired. The sketches of which
:. oonsists have wonderful vitality, but
eacb for the most part is perfect in itself,
,;,bout the aid of ingenious combination. No little
sk is exhibited in the characters of the story who
are presented rather than described made known to
ms by their actions not by verbal painting and who
leave So deep an impression of reality as to permit
no doubt that they faithful copies OF distinct
originals. The peculiar and almost wild condition
of society with which we are brought into contact
by the writer afforded strong temptation to excess
of colorng; but he has too much real power oyield
10 this weakuess his portraits degenerate into
caricatures; there is exaggeration either In word
or deed; and though strange, and often grotesque
figures are brought before the eye. they are always
genulne specimens of flesh aud blood, and not the
inventions Of a wanton fancy. In the history OF
Methodist crcultride the religious emotions must
of course occupy a conspicuous place. these
arc treated with delicacy and tenderness IN
the narrative of tho writer. They are
described with no mOCh SOleuIIuiy buI WIN dihOHV
sympathy. Their gracious influences in the devei-
ppment of character are fully recognized but no at
tempt is made to wrest them from the natuIai
sphere of human experience and surround them
with fan air of necromantic mystery lndeed inc
peryadine naturalness of the work IS the quality
from which it derives It's highest charm ana wIlcn
will appeal TO pre-Raphaete tastes In the llustra
tons of character. as well the creations OF Art
The story abounds with naive descriptions OF scenes
OF perhaps adventures they might be called in the
life of the circuit-rder forciby illustrating the So
clal condition with which he had to do in the early
Heroic age" Of Methodism in this country We
give below a specimen showing the existence Of
muscular Christianity in the Church militant before
the time of Canon Kingsley.
Magruder had been pleased with his success In or
Eanizing class in the Hissawaehee settlement that ne
next round. He accustomed 10 preach twice every
weekday and three times on every S9dS 9ef n S
since he expected leave Hssawachee as soon as meet
mined To- reach the settlement before breakfast that he
might have time TO confirm the brethren ana set thngs
In order. -.
When the Sunday set apart for the second sermon
drew near, Morton, with the enthusiastic approval OF
Captain LumsdeD, made ready MS tin horns to interrupt
the preacher with serenade. But Lumsden had other
plans Of which Morton had no knowledge
John Weseys rule was that preacher sh0nld rise et
four o'clock and spend the hour until hye IN readne
meditation, and prayer. Five o'clock found Magruder
In saddle his Hissawachee rejecting upon
the sermon be intended TO preach When he had ridden
singing Of hymns he suddenly ont upon the brow
Of hill overlooking the Hlssawachee Valley. The gray
dawn streaking the clouds the preacher checked
ms horse ana looked forth the valley Just disclosing
it's salient features ia the twilight General looks
over a battlefield before the engagement begins Tnen
Die dismounted, and kneenng upon the leaves prayed
ard the devil" When at last he got into the saddle
again the Winter sun sending its first horizontal
MagrHder had the habit turning the whole universe
70 spiritual account and now as he descended the NIL
might have been composed in the presence Of such
ossD ,Oi rshteousns.. arise
To nav IVA d sssass u NV Wy {.i MING .ou,
Life and salvation bring
These clouds o. pride and sin dispel,
BY Thy slpieroing beam -,
WIZ Wjts boy kO1s s' nd Jane my Hs'''
BY the time no had finished the second stanza. the
bridiepath that be was following brought him into
dense forest OF beech and maple and he saw walking
toward him two stout men, none other than our old
acquaintance, Bill MeConkey and Jake SINGER -.
"Looky YER" said Bill catching the preachers horse
by %% w SFl fore" s sGa a ia SSSe
"we're going 70 lick you tell You promise TO go
back and never stick your head into the Hissswachee
Bottom agIn.p
But won't promise"
a. Then well put dnshment TO ye"
you are two TO one. Will you give me time TO draw
"wal yes low we will"
The preacher dismOunted with quiet elaboration,
tied his bride TO beech limb offering mental prayer
TO the God Of Samson and then LAID his coat across the
"My friends" he said, at don't want to whip you. I
advise you now 10 let alone AS American citizen
have n right 10 20 where l please. Ny father was
revolutionary solder, and to fight for my
"shet up your jaw :" said Jake, swearing and APP
preaching the preacher from one side, while Bill camo
NJ on the other. Maeruder was one Of those short,
EtocV men who have no end Of muscular force and
endurance. his unregenerate DAYS he had been cele
brated for his victories in several rude encounters
Never seeking fight then. he had, nevertheless
when any ambitious champion came from afar for the
purpose of testing his strength felt himself bound to
"gIve him what he came after" He had now greatly
the advantage Of the two bues in his knowledge OF the
Before Jake had fairly finished his preliminary swear
ing the preacher had surprised him by delivering
that knocked him down. But Bill had taken advantage
OF this TO strike Magruder heavily the cheek. Jake,
having felt the awful weight of MaGruders fist,
little slow in coming 70 time, and the preacher had
chance TO give BIZ a most pOlemical blow
ms nose; then turning suddenly. he rushed like
endous blow that fractured TWO of his RIBS and felled
him TO the earth. But Bill struck Magruder behind,
the fashion OF the Western free fight Nothing saved
Magruder hut his immense strength BE right up
with BIZ upon him, then by deft use OF his legs
tripped his Antagonist and hurled him to the ground
Vie did dare take advantage OF his fall however for
Jake had reRaned his feet and coming up on him
cautiously But when Singer Magruder rushing at
him again, he made speedy retreat into the bushes
leaving Magruder to fight il out with Bill who despite
MS rry-lO0kng nose, again ready. But he now
Thought shy" and kept retreating slowly backward
and calling out, Come up ON him behind JakeI Come
up behndl" But the demoralized Jake had somehow
got superstitous notion that the preacher brstled
With fists before aud behind, having as many a
Hindoo deity. Bill kept backing until he tFipped and
Tell over bit OF brush, and then picked himself up ana
made of, mutteIing:
"I amt a-gOIn 10 try TO handle him alone He must
have the very devil into blu"
About o'clock on that same Sunday morning, the
Irish schoOmaster who was boarding at Good
Forks for news accosted Morton with: AM did We
hear the nOOze, MOirtOnf Bill COnkey and Jake Singer
bey had bit OF sunday morning recreation, They
throld to thrash the pIayeher as he was a-comlng
make no allowance for the Oirlsh blood Magruders
got 10 him He larrsped 'em both sngle-banded,
noseI Captain must "a had proivae interest in
nm mi aid tryO mar IN