Year: 1871

THE POE IN THE HOUSEHOLD By CAROLINE CHEKBoRo 8vo'
.. DO. ia. James r. Oseood Co


The peculiar traits of Miss ChesebOrOs fine


intellect are even more fully illustrated in the present
story than in of her former remarkable produc-
lions The essential quality of her mind is intuition
rather than lamentations of fancy, she makes little use
her style is that Of lucid narrative, with the trans
parency Of crystal and no aim at rhetorical effect and
hence her fictitious writings have the air Of rehearsal
>ef facts rather than OF artistic inventions But her IN
sight into depths of human emotion is the faculty from
which productions derive their tone. As general
rule she has sympathy with the darker pas
eons of our nature no delight in the delneaton OF
scenes Of repusive wickedness; but she selects her
materials from the common level Of everyday humanity
The homely life Of hard-workng, sOrely-tried, and
bravelystruggling men and women-cTeatures with no
sign Of angelic perfection, Of demOnc vices but Of
ordinary flesh and blood like the rest Of usafOrds her


rich field for observation and analysis, and furnishes
her with ample choice Of subjects for her acute and
vivid portraitures. Hence the singular reality Of
all her characters, none OF whom is without
distinct purpose, fails in the exhibition Of
consistency and unity which, in her writings,
produce powerful impression than any device Of
artificial dramatic skill The record of their experience,


which is less startling than natural reads more like per
sonal biography than creation OF art, and we become
interested in their fortunes in the adventures Of
peope whom we have known. In this story the scene


is laid in the humber walks Of life, among the primitive
"A
we know, OF the mountains OF Pennsylvania. Every
thing IL toned down in keeping with the rural simplicity
OF the situation There is no display OF fashion, no
bravery of dress no fine conversation none OF the ex
elements Of gay life. The heroine Is daughter OF the
stern religious faith Of the plain people among whom
che was being OF pure and noble nature WIN


conscience OF sensitive deicacy and loyalty to duty
ofeaual strength with the aluTements Ofacon She is
tempted into a secret marriage with young man OF
Kindred excellence with herself 10 whom nothing could
Re objected except that not within the pale of the
Mennonite communion The performance OF the
ceremony by fery-tOngued Methodist preacher
gave that terrible Boanerges a lifelong power
over the tender disciple OF an antagonist
sect which he did not fail TO use for
the advantage OF his religious profession. The
struggle Of Della Rose with the consequences Of the
mystery in which she had become involved forms the
leading thread Of the narrative. From these simple
elements is unioded plot Of genuine power In proper
ton as sympathy with the heroine IL called forth, her
character presents forms Of elevation and beauty
she completely fills the foreground Of the picture, win
ming fresh admiration with every change Of the scene
but not 20 the exclusion OF the indviduates who play
Ihe subordinate parts in the drama Old DR..
Detweer. Father frost Friend HOleOmbe, Deacon
Eut John Edgar Edna, are all wrought
out with as minute felicity Of touch as
81 the whole success the work had been left to hinge
on the fahfuness OF their portratures Not that the
author INDUCES in any abored descriptions she never
parsdes her skill in the secret OF her
strength n her clearDess Of insight and the truth with
which she represents actions In accordance with the mo
tyes Of which she has previously suggested the hint
We become acquainted with her persOnages by their
deeds which always give natural expression 70 their in


most traits OF character Perhaps she has carried this
method far for vide instant popularity II she
bso laid the oolors with a lavish hand,
abe might have obtained decided i'm
sDedate acceptance with the multitude 1t s certainly


A. s recreation W read her prod1etons They esDsst