Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol IV. No. XX. January, 1852.Various
History
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol IV. No. XX. January, 1852.
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
A collection of stories by CAROLINE CHESEBRO', entitled _Dream-Land by
Daylight_, has been issued by Redfield in a style of uncommon
typographical neatness. The writings of this lady are not unknown to the
public, in the isolated form in which many of them have already made
their appearance. We are glad that she has been induced to embody them
in this pleasant volume, which, we think, will occupy no inferior place
in American fictitious literature. We find in it the unmistakable
evidences of originality of mind, an almost superfluous depth of
reflection for the department of composition to which it is devoted, a
rare facility in seizing the multiform aspects of nature, and a still
rarer power of giving them the form and hue of imagination, without
destroying their identity. The writer has not yet attained the mastery
of expression, corresponding to the liveliness of her fancy and the
intensity of her thought. Her style suffers from the want of proportion,
of harmony, of artistic modulation, and though frequently showing an
almost masculine energy, is destitute of the sweet and graceful fluency
which would finely attemper her bold and striking conceptions. We do not
allude to this in any spirit of carping censure; but to account for the
want of popular effect which, we apprehend, will not be so decided in
this volume as in future productions of the author. She has not yet
exhausted the golden placers of her genius; but the products will obtain
a more active currency when they come refined and brilliant from the
mint, with a familiar legible stamp, which can be read by all without an
effort.--The fantastic, alliterative title of this volume does no
justice to the genuine value of its contents, and we hope Miss Chesebro'
will hereafter avoid such poverty-struck devices of ambitious
second-rate writers.
_Memoir of Mary Lyon_, compiled by EDWARD HITCHCOCK, President of
Amherst College, has passed to a third edition from the press of
Hopkins, Bridgman, and Co., Northampton. It is a record of a life
devoted to a great work of Christian benevolence. Inspired by a lofty
sense of duty, possessing an energy of purpose and a power of execution
seldom equaled in any walk of life, and endowed with intellectual gifts
of a robust, practical character, Miss Lyon was a highly successful
agent in the cause of popular and religious education. The narrative of
her labors is no less interesting than it is useful and instructive. Her
name is held in grateful remembrance in New England by numerous pupils
to whose character she gave a powerful impulse for good. The present
volume is prepared with the ability of which the name attached to it is
a promise. It is an excellent piece of biography, in all respects, and
will long hold an honored place in New England households.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account