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

LITERATURE.  The Three Chances. By the Authoress of "The Fair Carew." 3 vols. Smith and Elder. Whatever may be the imperfections of this novel, almay certaiely lay claim to the merit of origii'Y. The great point, lhe chief feature in the such an afli is the deafness of its hero. At first sight iction appears peculiarly unromantic ; but, through the skilful management of the authoress, it becomes the cause of numerous and important events, including- three love affairs and a suicide. The hero, Manley Frere, is introduced to us possessing ell the favours of fortune," and within a shoat period of his marriage with the object of his devoted attachment, a lady possessing the inharmonious name of Barbara Girdlestone. When suddenly seised with deafness he writes to liar in despair, offering to relinquish the engagement, and she, influenced by her friends, does not refuse to do so. Deeply grieved at this conduct he 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 Diva, who take advantage of his deafness, and, for the sake of his wealth, flatter and attend to him, and . by a series of successful manoeuvres bring about an engagement between him and the youngest daughter of the family, Pbehe Divet. In the meantime we have 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 whom she looks down with ineffable scorn and disgust, being in acts, if net in sentiments, very little be ter 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 suflerings are laid bare to the reader with care and minuteness, yet fail to excite much sympathy for one so self-confident, yet so reckless, possessing more skill in outward self-conimand than inward delicacy of feeling. Barbara Girdlestone has long repented of her conduct, and made various at tempts to meet her former lover, all of which 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 fact might have been turned to greater Advantage, for effect, by the authoress Thus tile affliction of the hero, which appeared at first to shut him out from all prospect of matrimonial happiness, midi in his having, as he 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. There are many other characters in the rory in 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 low-minded schemers, renders parts of the book somewhat tedious. A few more incidents would have relieved it. However, the main idea is nuvel and striking and not unnatural. The authoress, though she sets herself, in conclusion, to plead the cause of deafness and its numerous mitigations and compensations, has proved the opposite side of the question. It was entirely owing to his infirmity that Frere was involved in the meshes of the Divots ' • that he was deceived by his friends, and imposed upon by his enemies ; that he became unconsciously the cause of Maria Palliser'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 Rev. 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 archaeological curiosities of the neighbourhood, the natural wonders, the towns, their population, monuments, manufactures, Arc. The historical and geographical information belonging to it, and last, n, t least, the of I ballads and traditions that it lays claim to, are mingled in very w.tractive variety. It hut lately bec.,me the fashion to devote a volume to a thorough examination of the history and natural peculiaritts 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, there are many readers who are not connected with it, who may be glad to gain some information about it which is not likely to be found in guide books or histories. This is more especially the cue if any remarkable event has occurred there, or any notability ,Lairric. ;. n 9 Nciul3Llthz.o,34i, _wt. yr,,,,, in n,4. omit to mention the ....peflOr character. Some of the -01;g—ravings represent very pretty views. Many will find something to interest and entertain them in this little volume.  The Banker's Wife. By Mrs. Gore. New Knight and Son. This is one of Mrs. Gore's well-known and popular novels, and forms one of Knight and Co.'s cheap series of novels. Its chief feature is the alteration of its dedication. It will be remembered that it was inscribed to Sir John Dean Paul On its first appearance, "when," says the authoress, "I wan fsr from foreseeing that my own fortune would become partially involved in a catastrophe similar to the one described in its pages," and though eh• 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 pr►nted in excellent type, and haudsomily bound.