Year: 1866

HERMAN: Or ioUx0 KueH1HooD BY ?. FoIroS.


vols. l?n.o noston: Lee Shepherd


The name which appears on the ttle-pege OF this
novel was trst brought before the public, We be-
lieye by a volume Of poems issued few years
since and inGrked by rare wealth and yigor OF IN
tellect, and a certain bold and perhaps almost
erratic individually OF expression. In its fertility
Of thought, depth OF feeling, and originality OF
style, the volume alluded TO betrayed no common
endowments both Of mind and character, and gave
brilliant augury Of future performance in the sphere
of Imagination which has been amply fulfilled in
the present work. young knighthood exhibits
an approach TO maturity Of the powers which sug'
gested such excellent promise IN their yernal
bloom; II abounds in passages Of genuine wisdom
and pathos II breathes spirit of lofty aspiration
and hope; many Of It's descriptions and dialogues
awaken all absorbing interest by the intensity OF
their colorng; and ts conceptions Of character In
dicato Il familiarity with the purest and noblest
ideals but, still considered as production of art
land IL il one Of the few works that may claim 20
b. Judged by that sandard. II shows lack OF Iro-
portion and symmetry in the arrangement OF de-
tails, an exuberance Of invention which finds relief
In supcrfuous episodes, and an unchastened free
dom of style which often luxrrates in paragraphs
Of appalling length and mysterious complication.
The dramatic effect Of the story is constantly I'M
paired by O tendency 20 disseristion; the writer
INDUCES in critical excursions, comments on great
social and reli gious questions political arguments,
and discussions of things in general, which though
remarkable for their earnestness and the strength
that earnestness gives, aud which would be well
come in collection of essays, are out Of place in
work of fiction, and greatly incumber tho evolution
of the plot. Tho common run of novel readers can
hardly fail TO be annoyed b. the prcponderance OF
reflection although, IL must be admitted, that per-
cons of q more thoughtful cast Of mind will find
pleasure in the frequent discussions which interrupt
the progress Of the story. II is the srctest justice
to say that these episodes always in the highest
degree suggestive, sboundng in sweet wisdom and
lust feeling, and in their high tone Of morals and
noble standard Of character are Of more value than
the majority of exciting scenes in fictitious compost
ton. We would not give tho impression that any
stamp Of dullness is left upon these pages On the
contrary the narrative is always lively, intense in
deed for the most part, and full OF passages oi
tragic interest. Even the portions which arc the
fruit Of reflection rather than of imagination, can
not be said to bedull. They have too much vitality
too much mental vigor for that. In spite Of the
thoughtfulness, always pervading and often pro-
found. they do not become tedious il themselves.
They arc only in the way of tho story; and that
would be no matter if the story did not call forth
such glowing sympathy. The work has evidently
been composed as al illustration of strong personal
convictions The social influence Of Slavery Is It's
narrowing theme The contrast between the do
,nestic institutions of the South and the North is
accordingly presented in prominent relief Great
skill ia shown by the author in the grouping OF
events and circumstances in furtierance Of the
main purpose of tho novel. The course Of the
story is tragic it's conclusion is tragic and In less
gifted hands, it would have produced an impression
almost too painful for endurance Gracious allevs-
tions, howeycr ale so wisely nter.persed, that the
somber effect is considerably softened down, and
the most heart-rending issues are accepted IN view
OF the exalted traits Of character which they call
forth, and the serene and heavenly faith and con-
stancy with which they are borne As a minor OK
callonce of this work We would call the attention
~ our readers to tho minute fidelity with which
local manners and language are reproduced In the
conversation Of tho interlocntors from different
portions of the country. IL is rarely indeed that
the colloquia expressions which distinguish the
opposte points of the compass are preserved III
their quaint peculiarites with 60 little excess OF
falseness of cOIoriDg.