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May 26,1860.1 The Leader and Saturday An...
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SPORT IN INDIA* I T is seldom that they ...
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» The i' rihl Sport* <>f India : with Jl...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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* Sir Jtojian'a Ghost. A Romuncp. London...
intended to convey in his hero ' s subsequent career—his madness and almost fatal attack of brain lever , resulting from the over-tension of the nervous system , all intimating as much . We are , then , at a loss to account for this departure l ' r , 6 in his ruling principle , and his making the . morbid creation of a contaminated and degraded mind perceptible to the vision of an innocent , pure , and untainted xnaidei > . 1 his is one of the strange inconsistencies into whi"h genius , by some mysterious perversity of its own , is more liable to fall than less gifted mortals ; or perhaps it is the result of an incapacity in the human intellect to produce anything that is this is the fault of the
who ly perfect . Certainly great present production , although it is counterbalanced by so much that is not only good but truly great , that we do not think it . will prove any impediment to the pubic and permanent acceptance of the work . The remainder of the story is soon told . An attachment springing up between Miriam and the ghost-ridden Sir Rohan , they are contracted , and on the eve of celebrating the marriage ceremony , when a frightful discovery is made by a third party—Miriam turns oui to be tl 7 e child of her intended bridegroom The history of the buried past is brought to light , and our hero is held up to universal opprobrium as first the seducer , then the murderer , of a weak , unresisting
girl , whose cruel and premature death must be accepted a * an atonement for her error . The story closes with the de ; ith of Sir Rohan , and entire wreck of the happiness of the light-hearted Miriam . Whatever may have been the success of tins work in America , we do not think its reception by an English public will be less gratify ing to the author . For ourselves , we feel justified in pronouncing it , notwithstanding certain blemishes and incongruities , as a decided work of genius , and as sm : h we have no doubt that it will speedily achieve for itself a great popularity and extensive circulation .
A new novel by Anthony Trollope , after a due number of preparatory advertisements , has at length appeared to claim the verdict of a discriminating public . The reputation of tins wellknown author is such as to secure for-each of his new productions a sin ere and enthusiastic welcome . Both public arid critic are alike aware that any work bearing this writer ' s name is sure to be or an ambitious kind ; and , as such , they prepare to bestow upon it the attention it deserves . _ Mr . Trollope's new tale of " Castle " Richmond " is of no everyday class . Seldom have we met with a story so admirably constructed . Indeed , it is to its almost perfect construction of plot 41 jat the-great trtf' ect of the novel is -mainly to be attributed . The interest of the reader is .-first , as it were , unconsciously excited , then grows gradually stronger and stronger , till at length" his attention becomes riveted upon the-succession and development of events , aside
and it is with difficulty that he prevails upon himself to lay the book until the conclm-ion of the narrative . The author has thus taken care to supply himself with the first element of a popular writer of fiction ; and wisely judging that , if the thoughts of the reader are allowed to wander for any length of time from the main thread of the story , the general effect will be lessened , he has devoted as little space as possible to dissertations upon the political and social aspects of the country in which his story is laid . Ireland , evidently the land oT ^ lTT ^ rrluiT rp ^' s - ^^ incidents ncorded in these three volumes . Tho period is 1816-4 / , when the failure of the potato-crop was succeeded by that great national calamity so well remembered in the annals of our sister isle . Mr . Trollope is a staunch adherent of the measures at that time undertaken by Government for the relief of our suffering brethren . With his opinions upon this subject as a political economist we as critics have nothing to do , and therefore proceed
to introduce our reader to u few of his leading characters . Clara Desmond , daughter of the Countess of Desmond , a worldly , self-seeking woman , whose slender pecuniary resources are by no means adequate to the demands of her high position in society , contracts herself in a moment of girlish emotion to Owen Fitzgerald , the nameless and impoverished owner of Hap House . Tliis match is ultimately broken oil" by her designing mother , and the young lady is recontracted to Herbert Fitzgerald , Owen ' s cousin , and h «» ' to tlie wealth and title of his father , S . r Thomas Fitzgerald , the principal landed proprietor in the county of Cork . As soon a- this fact is made public , Owen comes forward , and energetically refuses to relinquish his prior claim to the hand of our somewhat ficldo heroine . Hereupon ensues much
confusion , when it is suddenly discovered that Owen w the true heir to the Fitzgerald property , the first husband of Liidy Fitzgerald , incontestable proofs ot wlioso death hnd been received at the time of her second marriage , suddenly r . - ippiaring and altering tho whole aspect , of affairs . Herbert ' s illegitimacy having been proved , the Cunteapi becomes as eagor for her daughter ' s marriage with Owen » h sue waH formerly averse to it . Clara , however , clings still closer to her lover in the hour of his affliction , and the mother acknowledges to hei ' Molf th t she has lost all influence over the actions of her child , lit the- midst of inticii misery and contention " oil " , all ; sides , tho final discovery in marie , by which it appears that Lady Fitzgerald's fimt marriage is null and void , her pretended husband having at the time of the ceremonv another wife in existence . . TIuih her
subsequent alliance with 8 ir Thomas is , of course , legal , and her sou , after a" short time , is rociillud and duly reinstated in his father s pOHSL'SHiollS . , It is utterly impossible that tho reader should form a just conception of tho gonoral merits of thin novel by uny mere analysis oi the plot . What wo liuvo given , however , inuy servo to show that the uuthor hus supplied hiiuaelf with Bufneieiit materials for working
up a story of breathless and concentrated interest , and as such we have no doubt that it will be sought after , and eagerly perused by the irreater portion ot the novel-reading public . " The First-Born ; or a Mother ' s Irials , " by the author of " My Lady , " is decidedly an agreeable story . There is a truthfulness and reality'in the ordeal through which the heroine is made to pass that will speak home to the hearts of many a maternal bosom . The book has evidently bean written with a purpose , and the author has , moreover , succeeded in rendering that purpose palpable to the reader . There is no attempt at flowery , metaphorical language ; but the story is told in a simple , vigorous manner , that lully carries out the intentions of the writer . The characters are well drawn , and perfectly consistent with our every-day experience of human nature . The only fault is a slight tediousness iu the first volume , for which however we are fully compensated by the stirring events presented in the two succeeding ones .
The -story turns upon the fact of a moi her , through the machinations of a guilty husband unconsciously deserting her child , and then allowing herself to be pursued by such indescribable longings and bitter remorse as only a mother is capable of fully realizing and appreciating . Even the birth of four or five succeeding infants brings no consolation for the memory of her that is lost ; and not till the recovery of her first-born , many years after , is the bereaved mother restored to peace and happiness . The author will certainly add to his reputation by the present production . " The Madman of St . James ' s , a Tale , translated from the German , " is , we are afraid , but little calculated to win the plaudits of an English public . It is simply devoid of all interest , and destitute of everything that , as a story , could render it palatable to the reader .
We have seldom met with such a conglomeration of . incidents , all brought together for no apparent purpose , except to fill the pages of three thick and closely printed volumes , the very first of which would be sufficient to exhaust the patience of the most redoubtable reader of mindless and unentertaining stories What could have induced the translator , out of the multitude of German fictions , to have chosen such an one as the present upon which to exercise , his evident talents , we are at a loss to conjecture . For ourselves , we can safely say that the" madman , ' \ or rather sane man , of St . James ' s , might have remained for ever in his unjust incarceration , ere we should have attempted to achieve his freedom by . such a , tedious process as reading through this dry , soulless narrative from the " Journal of a Pin sician . "
May 26,1860.1 The Leader And Saturday An...
May 26 , 1860 . 1 The Leader and Saturday Analyst . 501
Sport In India* I T Is Seldom That They ...
SPORT IN INDIA * I T is seldom that they who engage in active life are qualified to record the incidents of its progress . Captain Henry Snakespear , accustomed to horse exercise , and fond of the wild , sports of India , had not fitted himself , as he informs us , for " a seat at a desk . From using the spear , his right hand soon became a great deal too hard and unpliant to . use the pen . " He therefore solicits consideration for the necessary defects of his book . He stands in no need of indulgence . It is his expressed desire to awaken in the youth of England " a thirst for adventure and a love of excitement and danger , " and a trust in the Divine assistance , whatever the amount of difficulty or peril to be encountered or endured . HairbreadTli escapesi mid successes are lTis ~ d ¥ lfgul . ¦ ¦ ' . . ¦ " - " -
Captain Shakespear arrived in India in 1834 , and his experience there is that parents cannot do better . than make their boys " shikarees , or hunters of the large game of India ' s magnificent forests . " For boys of a certain class this is no doubt the fact . Tney may be thus kept out " of a thousand temptations and injurious pursuits , which they can scarcely avoid falling into , if from no other cause than ennui and thoughtlessness . " Field sports have their advantages , particularly to the military mau in India . He is by them maintained in a state of fitness for his duty as a soldier , both in body and inclination . ¦" .. ' -. „ , , .,, _ , ,.. ' ,. with much truth
" Depend upon it , " says Captain Shakespear , " that the deep-set eye , thin nostril , and arched brow , are not to be baulked of excitement . The possessors of thoso—1 may say gifts —love and are formed for excitement . If not autiaUid in one way , and that an innocent , manly , aid useful one , your boys may take to the < niming-table , or to an excess nl feasting , rioting , or debauchery . Excitement they must have , or die . Let them , therefore , become bold riders , cunning huntsmen , riflemen of the woods . Enure them to toil while they are young , and a green old age shall reward both them for their choice , and you for your encouragement , education , and advice . " ..... the auth 1
To show the sincerity of his advice , or ms expressly written this work for the benefit of his own sons . He has had twenty-five yours' experience , and on three sepurato occasions lie has had bones broken in hunting , twice from horses hilling and rolling over . Also , ho has been wounded I , y a wild boar , wounded by a panther , and again wounded in iifili « m . \ et , Captain fohukespuar in now in good health , and capable of riding n hundred miles in tho day , Such is the example ho holds up to tho ambition of his boyH ; such is " the spir it of daring " uud trial or courage that he would Btl " eiir ) tain commonces bin book with descriptions of the prope : rifles for tho sport , and some r uoomim'mlatioi . s concerning ; hop hunting and tl . u choice of borHclLsh . Wo are then noon , n the midst of poking stories , nnd tho courage of the boar ., ule bratod . Tho tiger oven is no match for him . I ho tigoi angina
» The I' Rihl Sport* <>F India : With Jl...
» The i ' rihl Sport * <> f India : with Jlamark * on tho ^'" U « ' « J « S ^ g of Home *; < mUt / w M ' onnaUon of J ^ ht : Irvegnlvr Cwnfrj / . Hy O . tptwn 11 KNHY & J 1 AKKSPKAH . Hmith , Uldai ; uud Vq .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 26, 1860, page 17, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_26051860/page/17/
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