New-York tribune., 1878-10-01
NEW PUBLICATIONS
EGGLEsTON's ROXY.
ROXY. By EDWARD EGGLEsTOH. 12mO, pp. 49,
Charles Scribner's sons.

life that has not been largely used Tor purposes Ol
fiction, although the author has appropriated 1t
with admirable effect in his previous imaginative
sketches. HIS reputation in this line which has been
90 rapidly won suTpasses that of any former writer
ON similar themes, and is no less substantial in
texture than brilliant in display. The present work,
which may be regarded as the sequel not, we trust
the crown of his previous productions, furnishes
still higher suggestion of his peculiar gifts, and wl
more brightly illustrate the name he has established
In fictitious literature.
The scene of the story is laid in Southern Indiana
during the canvass that preceded the election OF
General Harrison to the presidency OF the United
States. 1t presents an epic narrative of the
famous hard-cider and log-cabin campaign. The
spirit of the politics and the religion of the Western
interior at that day is represented by afiuent ex-
amples both from secular and ecclesiastical hte'
Our first introduction to the heroine is at barbecue
in the county seat which had assembled the coun-
try folk from far and near, TO listen to patriotic
speecbes and deyour the flesh of roasted whole.
Roxy is no politician, but all her sympathies were
called forth for the favOrte orator of the day. whom
she at once transforms INTO hero of romance. Her
father was the principal shoemaker of the village,
and loved to argue point of doctrine, question OF
history, or a theory of politics. as he hammered the
leather on his lap-stOne. His special delight was
10 pose the minister in thomy discussions, who was
often unable to stand his ground before the natural
logic of the shrewd shoemaker, while Roxy listened
10 tue dispute with open ears.
The character of this young girl, who is described
as a sweet flower of humanity. blossoming out III
waste places is drawn with singular insight ana
delicaey. She belongs, in q certain degree to the
same type as JEANNE Deans. whom Sir Walter Scott
sets forth as paragon of moral beauty In lowly life,
but with that exception, Roxy is perhaps without a
-, Hpr
by the author. is wholly original, and almost with
out hint of it's capacity in recorded preeedents.
She presents a living example Of Comics theory OF
altruism, according to which the welfare OF others
sboud take the place of selfnterest the principle
of action and the rule of life. Not that Roxy ever
troubled her head with abstract ideas of ethical re-
lations and conduct. Her goodness was as natural
as the fragrance of the rose that blooms unseen in
The desert. She was religious from sweetness OF
blood, not from the teachings of the pulpit OF the
.atechism Her devotion to the good OF others was
native instinct, as much the process of breathing
Dr the beating of the heart 1.-THE gift of helpful
sess was born in her and to possess the gift OF help
Eulness is to be mOrtgaged to all who need"
ROxy's personal appearance was in keeping with
the purity and loneliness of her moral nature. She
looked like figure out of an ancient picture. Her
face was not what you would call handsome, IN the
physical sense There was no sensuOus beauty Of
red ps and softly rounded checks. But it was full
of passionate idealiy with high enthusiasm shining
through it. There was an expression of quiet
heavenly Joy, as though good tidings within were
waiting to be told. " 1t was such aface as master
would have loved to paint, and would have wor-
shipped after he had painted it," When the book
Ish Presbyterian minister thought it needful to
adapt his speech to the feminine understanding and
began talking to Roxy of her father her garden her
chickens her friends, she would answer half abb
sently. and after an awkward silence which puzzled
the minister, would meekly inquire what be thought
of the experiences of President Edwards's wife, This
led to the saints in the Methodist calendar and as
her face gowed with sympathetic enthusiasm, he
thought he could detect secret ambition to be In
scribed on the sacred roll With the training of
the quiet New-England school, he wondered at find
ing in the heart of this imaginative girl an altar on
which was burning so bright flame of mystical
devotion.
In strong contrast with this sweet saint Of the
West is the bold. bad woman who figures the
evil genius of the plot but who always affords occa
sion for the exercise Of the angelic virtues OF the
heroine. Her character is a masterpiece OF coneep-
ton and pOrtraiture. Without CLEAN of goodness
TO relieve the strange depraviy of her nature she
Is depicted as the necessary product of ignorance,
selfishness and vanity in such truthful cOOrs that
Kirtley, as she is called. was one of the curious
poor-whlte race, who are known by different names
IN different localities but who never lose their half
gypsy character, roaming from place to another
In order to mend their wretched fortunes, or TO
crafty restless love Of adventure leading semi
barbarous lfe and often tempted by the love Of
citement TO the commission Of crime. Beautiful
women, Of the magnificent, swarthy, oriental, ami
NAL sort spring now and then from this stock and
Of these Nancy was one, perfect queen of wild
gypsy beauty. Her face, she figured in the rustic
dance showed no sign Of intellect. No inward con-
fliet had made on u a single line. 1t was simply
a union of natural symmetry, oriental complexion
and exuberant health. She was one of those mag
nificent animals that are all the more magnificent
for being only animals exhibiting perfect phys
ical development, but with no trace of a soul The
author has dealt with this coarse, unattractive
tcral in the spirit of the genuine artist He makes
no attempt TO conceal or disguise, or palate its
character but turns IL to most effective use in the
accomplishment of the plot. Without Nancy Kirt-
lev we never should have known the full power Of
self-sacrfce and angelic grandeur Of devotion in
the person Of Roxy Adams. The malice of the demon
Is made TO contribute to the glory of the saint.
The plot OF the novel is sustained with not little
skill il presents series of perpetual surprises
and though the situations sometimes perhaps at first
blush are too great tax on the oredulty Of the
reader they prove in the end to be in keeping with
the charact rs and circumstances. But apart ON
the interest of the story as wel-wTOught cOntin-
nous narrative, the volume abouuds with scenes
and descriptions which by their happy adaptations
and peculiar adroitness of execution may be re-
earded as admirable SPECIMENS of literary art. The
following sketch of an Indiana politician in the
time of General Harrison illustrates the authors
power of humorous portIaiture.
Ttv some weeks after the barbecue that Mark
Bonamy now Wbig candidate for representative I'm
the Indiana legislature set out 10 electiOneer He
"a on tlie erDpditiOD by Major Igtlerg