Montgomery County sentinel., 1882-02-10
Miscellamenm5,
Written for the SENTINEL.
Works Of George Macdonald.

AnoHB IHc nOVellStS VINO nave eu
riched the treasures of English literature
during the present century, George Mac
Donald, l.. l.. d., holds prominent
rank Evidently II man of fine sensibil
tiles, spirit of culture and purity i,
breathed forth from every page of hi.
writings. He is one of those authors
whose works tend to develop the noble
in our nature. We turn from one Of
Wilkie Collins intricate plots, where the
soul of the story is the deep villainy OF
the characters, with profound disgust
for human nature and disposition to
look askant at our fellow-men. Not 50
with Macdonald While admitting that
the mirror of the soul has been sadly
marred, he yet contends that it still re-
fleets the divine light, and gives abund-
ant evidence of its high origin. He tells
us that man, though sinner, is still
our brother, since ''all we like sheep
have gone astray." His argument is,
make better, not destroy
Thus excellent in his morals, he does
not lack claims to literary merit. Judged
by the strictest rules of rhetoric, his
style stands the test without loss. In
his Annals of Quiet Neighborhood'
he has shown us how a simple story may
be told in an instructive and attractive
manner. The plot is not deep, but the
pleasant, easy sentences, the poetry aud
pathos, and the natural interest in the
history of the life of even the bumblest,
are quite sufficient to hold the willing
attention Of the reader through the whole
five hundred and ninety pages. To be
sure, he sometimes uses colloquialisms,
but even this is pleasing, under his magic
touch.
"Thc Seaboard Parish" IA sequel to
the preceding, is equally good 1t may
be called ii family story. and really VIC
almost feel, before closing the book, that
we are one of the members
Another of DR.. MacDonald's popular
books is the romance, "Malcom In
unraveling this good plot he presents us
with gems of thought. The hero is truly
zone Of Natures uoblemen," aud read
ers of Scott will be well prepared to ap-
precate the character Of old Duncan
MacPhail. the poor. yet high-spirited
Gael Few will object to the appear
ance, in this and several other works, of
the Scottish dialect.
"The Marquis of Lossie" is a contnu-
alton Of Malcolm aud sustains the
interest excited by the Inter. In the
opinion Of some, David Elginbrod" il
the best of our authors works. It is
perneatcd with morality and religion,
and instructs while it entertains The
lessons are not conveyed in the style of
moral philosophy, but in that Of ia
miliar friend Some Of old David 3
plain talks are chapters Of theology -
Does this render the story dry? Let
those answer who have felt its fascina-
ton.
Thomas Ningfod, Curate." is the
title Of n novel in which fiction and phi
losophy are interviewer. Written in a
style somewhat heavy, it has but few
charms for the careless reader, yet il will
fully repay perusal by those who read
not only for amusement, but for improve
ment as well.
It is with a sigh, however, that we are
compelled, in this connection, to ac-
knowledge the liability Of even the best
to error Some of DR.. MacDonald's
opinions must be read with care. These
passages, happily, are rare, and the fall
lacy may be detected by discrimination.
Ia the book 10 which we last referred
there il chapter headed "a Shop in
Heaven" This is the embodiment Of
the authors beretical notion Of Restora-
ton According TO him, Heaven will
be second earth, wickedDess excepted
There will be shops whose keepers will
not cheat. and buyers who are not actu-
atcd by cupidity. In short, our future
will be spent in a physical Paradise. --
All Of this nonsense is contained in an
extremity fanciful parable
But these defects are human, and not
grave enough 10 mar the general value
Of the Doctors works. On the whole,
his books cannot be too highly recon-
mendcd to readers of every class.
LIE DAvIs LoDGE.