The Sun. — 1869-04-08 (London, England)

LITERATURE.  Erick T7torburn ; A Novel. Three Vols.  Hurst  and Blackett.  If " E;ick Thorburn " is a first work, as from the absence of any name upon the title-page, and from other reasons, we are led to infer, it promises well for the future success of its author. The character of Erick Thorburn, who is by no means of the ordinary stamp of novel hero, is very cleverly conceived and very skilfully delineated. Erick possesses no brilliant qualifications or superficial adornments ; his chief characteristics are his plain common sense and his determined perseverance in what he believes to be his duty. Maurice O'Keefe, the schoolfellow of Erick, called, from his girlish appearance and curling locks, by the familiar appellation of " Fan," is weak and amiable, and from their school-days until the close of their companionship is in every way a contrast to his friend. The strong affection which, in their early days, exists between "Fan" and " Thor," although sorely tried by adverse circumstances, and fora time diminished by alien influences, is never destroyed, and revives with its old tendencies in the parting hour. We never have the heart to " sroil a story" by detailing its plot. We shall not therefore reveal the mystery which overshadows the life of Erick Thorburn, and tries the tender heart cf poor Evy Carew, a sweet little heroine, with whom the novelist has been somewhat severe. A year or two of probation might have sufficed for all the purposes of the story. The long and weary waiting to which these lovers are subjected is not only painful to themselves, but (far worse!) tedious to the reader. This want of concentration in the interest of the plot is, however, excusable, if, as we imagine, " Erick Thorburn" is a first work ; and if so, as we have already observed, it affords ample promise of future excellence and future success on the part of its writer. The overwhelming flood which devastates the country towards the close of the narrative is very effectively described; but as it recalls to the mind of the reader that terrible episode in " The Mill on the Floss," in which Maggie and her brother found an undivided death, its introduction is somewhat unfortunate. A happier ending, however, rewards the patience of Erick Thorburn, and (no matter what evils have gone before) " all is well that ends well."  Lorna Doone; A Romance of Exmoor. By R. D. Blackmore, author of " Cradock Nowell." Three Vols. Sampson, Low, Son, and Marston. From some innate love of the terrible and mysterious, such as renders " Jack, the Giant Killer," a favourite in the nursery, the histories of highwaymen and robbers seem to possess some marvellous power of attraction. While the names of better men are " willingly let die," tradition tenderly cherishes the recollection of Robin Hood and Claude Duval, and others of equally respectable celebrity. Among the chronicles of the West of England are records of the terrible Doones, a band of robbers, who lived by the right of might, and scattered terror and dismay through all the country round. The narration of their doings and misdoings,which is given in these volumes, is supposed to be related by one who actually took part in the events which he describes, John Ridds, yeoman, and churchwarden of the parish of Oare, in the county of Somerset. The story is written in a very interesting and attractive style, and quite realises to the reader's mini the time and scene to which it relates. Among the first recollections of his childhood, John Ridds describes the murder of his father by the terrible Doones, and his mother's melancholy pilgrimage to the very home of the assassins. There we have a glimpse of the venerable and courtly Sir Ensor Doone, the father and chieftain of the robbers. Himself a gentleman by birth, and brought up to better things, Sir Ensor having incurred the penalty of outlawry, had established himself in the forest of Bagworthy, and brought up his sons and grandsons like the Ishmaelites of old, with their hand against every man, and in consequence with the hand of every man against them. In the midst of this savage race, like the enchanted princess of a fairy tale, lived the gentle, lovely Lorna, whose chequered history is recorded in this chronicle. Lorna Doone has found a worthy champion and historian in honest John Ridds, and the latter has found a fitting exponent of his opinions in the person of Mr. Blackmore. From its very dissimilarity to the ordinary run of novels, this romance of Exmoor will prove attractive to the novel-reader.