The Sun. — 1858-01-22 (London, England)

LITERATURE.  The Three Chalices. By the Authoress of "The Fair Carew." 3 vols. Smitliand Elder. Whatever may be the imperfections of this novel, it may certainly lay cleuseto the merit of origi- • nali y. The great point, the chief feature in the story, is the deafness of its hero. At first sight such an affliction appears peculiarly unromantic ; but, through the skilful management of the authoress, it becomes the cause of numerous and importantsuicide. events,The hero,including threerer lovee is introducedaffai s and tos Manley Fpossessing the ec t o inharmonious hi s us possessing all the favours of for'tune, and within.. a shot period of his marriag e h e s h i ne devoted attachment, a lady g name of Barbara Girdlestone. When suddenly seized with deafness he writes to her in despair, offering to relinquish the engagement, and she, influenced by her friends, does not refuse to do so. Deeply grieved at this conduct be prepares to leave England, but first pays a visit to the family of his father's steward. This is a vulgar and unprincipled family of the name of Divot, who take advantage of his deafness, and, for the sake of his wealth, flatter and attend to bim, and by a series of successful manceuvres bring about an engagement between him and the youngest daughter of the family, Pbebe Divot. In the meantime we base been introduced to Colonel Hussey and his intended bride, the former, a kind-hearted, honourable, but somewhat tedious, individual, and the latter a very singular and unattractive person. She has accepted Colonel Hussey as a matter of prudence, and prides herself on her strength of mind and general indifference to things and people. Having no house of her own, she passes some time with the Divets, on wbom she looks down with ineffable scorn and disgust, being in acts, if net in sentiments, very little better herself. She becomes strongly attached to the deaf hero, and after many agitations and disappointments, her ill-regulated mind and undisciplined feelings, drive her to commit suicide. Maria Palliser, for such is her name, occupies a large portion of the book, her struggles and sufferings are laid bare to the reader with care and minuteness, yet jail to excite much sympathy for one so self-confident, yet so reckless, possessing more skill in outward self-command than inward delicacy of feeling. Barbara Girdlestone has long repented of her conduct, and made various'attempts to meet her former lover, all of whiell .are foiled by the expert Divots. The results of the hero's sudden recovery we leave to the reader to- learn for himself ; but the I..ct might have been turned to greater a ivautage, for effect, by the autborets. Thus tee affliction of the hero, which appeared at first to shut him out from all prospect of matrimonial happiness, ends in his having, ashu remarks, "Three chances." The relative value of the three is easily decided. The family of the Divets is a very large one, and is irredeemably odious. Their extreme vulgarity makes them appear overdrawn. Thera are many other characters in the story iu addition to those men' ioned—Richard Cranston, afr end of Frere's, being prominent. But there are very few in whom the reader can feel an interest ; and the presence of so many vulgar and Io e-minded scheme's, renders parts of the book somewhat tedious. A few more incidents would have relieved it. Howeve the main idea is novel and striking and not unnatural. The authoress, though she sets herself, iu conclusion, to plead the cause of deafness and its numerous mitigations and compensations, has proved the opposite side of the quetion. It was eetirely owing to his infirmity that, Fr,-re was involved in the meshes of the Divets ; that be was deceived by his friends, and imposed upon by his enemies ; that he became unconsciously the cause of Maria Pallisei's self-destruction ; and that he narrowly escaped life-long misery. The style is somewhat verbose and weighty, but the book displays considerable _talent, and the plot is so novel and striking that it will most probably become a favourite with the public.  Buchan,.  By the Re;-: J. B. Pratt, M.A, Black wood and Sons. A pleasant and well written volume on the district of Buchan in Aberdeenshire. The antiquities and archrcological curiosities of the neighbourhood, the natural wonders, the towns, their population, monuments manufactures, k,c. The historical and geographical information belonging to it, and last, nit least, the of l ballads and traditions that it lays claim to, are mingled in very attractive variety. It has lately becJrne the fashion to devote a volume to a thorough examination of the history and natural peculiarities of some particular district, and it seems to be a sensible and successful method. While the residents or natives of the locality must, of course, regard such a work with especial interest, thei e ate many readers who are ni,t connected with it, who may be glad to gain some information about it which is not likely to be found in guide bo,)ks or 1 histories. This is more esptci illy the case if any  craarkshle event has occurred diere, or any notability clsims it as his birthplace. We mu,t not omit to mention the illustrations, which are numerous and of a superior character. Some of the engravings represent very pretty views. Many will find something to intsrest and entertain them in this little volume.  The Banker's Wife. By Mrs. Gore. New Edition. Knight and Sun. This is one of Mrs. Gore's well-known and Popularnoveli, and forms one of Knight and Co.'m cheap serves of novels. Its chief feature is the alteration of its dedication. It will be remembered that it was inscriLed to Sir Jobn Dean Paul on i a first appearance, "when," says the authoress, "I was far from foreseeing that my own fortune would become partially involved in a catastrophe similar to the one described in its pages," and though she gracefully remarks that to advert to the conduct of her former banker and trustee would now be ungenerous, she very naturally withdraws the eulogistic dedication that would now appear a mockery. The book, like its predecessors, is printed in excellent type, and hsudsom ly bound.