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Leader (1850-1860), 24th December 1858, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1413, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      AN OLD DEBT . An Old Debt . By Florence Dawson . 2 vols . Smith , Elder , and Co . Had Miss Bronte never written Shirley , Miss Dawson would have gained higher praise for the originality of her novel . Not that Miss Dawson has copied servilely either personages x > r catastrophe in Shirley , but as she has introduced a strong-minded tutor and a susceptible young lady pupil , the coincidence naturally solicits attention , and attracts comparison . The story worked out in these two volumes appears to be this—Ellen Scudamore and her brother Frederick are left to the guardianship of Lord Conyngford , their relative . Ellen is beautiful and lovable , but somewhat self-willed and impetuous . Frederick is an invalid—all softness and sensibility . Lord Conyngford , though outwardly cold and stern , inwardly is loving and amiable . A distant relative , Ed ward Young , is engaged in the capacity of tutor . He is silent and impassive to outward appearance . But like his noble relative , he has a temperament deeplysusceptible of female attractions . Lord Conyngford falls in love with his ward , makes a declaration of love , and an offer of his hand . His ward does not entirely approve of the alliance ; but she takes a year to think over it , and to give her final answer . The frail health of her brother calls for a change of climate , and accordingly , with Lord Conyngford ' s consenta party is made up , consisting of Ellen ,

      , Frederick , and their stepmother , with Mr . Young as tutor and manager of the travelling arrangements . While travelling hither and thither * the peculiarities of character possessed by Ell e n Scudamore and Edward Young are brought out prominently . The result of the intercourse which takes place between alt the members of the travelling party * and certain well-wrought incidents which take their rise from the course of events is , that Edward Young finds himself the rival of his patron , Lord Conyngford , hopelessly in love trith Ellen , but as desperately

      determined to keep his secret . The year expires . Lord Conyngford makes his appearance , claims the hand of Ellen , and receives it . Edward Young quits the happy pair , but writes to Lord Conyngford a letter which lets that nobleman into the well-kept secret of his life . Lord Conyngford follows Edward Young , and overtakes him , but too late for earthly aid . Edward Young has expired—we infer , through blighted hopes . The tale is worked out with . cleverness and with level ability , though certainly it has no pretensions to take higher rank than that of a very good , seasonable novel .

      Untitled Article

      JOHN HALIFAX . John Halifax , Gentleman . Fourth Edition . Hurst and Blackett . This sterling production has reached a fourth edition . This is no more tiian its inherent literary merits demanded , and we may be sure that when this edition is exhausted the public will call for more editions , and the work will continue to hold the high rank it immediately attained when it was first introduced to the public .

      Untitled Article

      MESSRS . DEAN AND SON'S CHILDREN'S BOOKS . Every Child ' s Own Book : Poetry and Pictures for Little People . The Lion ' s Grand Ball . Mrs . Dove's Party . New Mother Goose . Three Little Kittens . Every Child ' s Own Book Primer . " Funnily told Tales and Funny Pictures . Shakspeare fresh Chiselled on Stone . By J . V . Barrett . The Coloured Picture-Book of Surprising Stories . The first seven of this Christmas issue arc all admirably suited for very young children . The subjects are full of fun , and the illustrations in admirable keeping . The series are all printed and got up in superior style , nnd the price moderate . Funnily told Tales and Funny Pictures is a work of higher pretension . The binding and the illustrations are ao good , and the poetical text so replete with humour , that a more acceptable Christmas gift could hardly bo devised . The Coloured Picture-Book of Surprising Stories is another charming little work—a perfect treasury of enjoyment fpr young ladies and gentlemen who have got beyond their printer . Shakspeare fresh Chiselled on Stone consists of burlesque pictorial rondorings of well-known quotations from Shakspenre . Children of " larger growth" of course will bo best able to appreciate properly the humour of the artist And the culler of quotations .

      Untitled Article

      THE SOCIEXr TOR XHE ENCOUBAGEJIENT OF TIIE TINE ARTS . This new society is now fairly launched , and ap parently under the most favourable auspices . . Upwards of eight hundred . person 3 , ladies and gentlemen , all in evening dress , responded to the invitation of the council , and attended the provisional meeting at the Hanover Square Rooms on Friday evening last . Mr . H . Ottley , the honorary corresponding secretary , in . his address on behalf of his colleagues in the council , referred with especial gratification to this circumstance , which he accepted as a proof that the promoters of the society " were not far wrong in the leading idea upon which , it was based ; namely , a conviction of the existence in the minds of the public of a living and growing

      interest in the fine arts . " It is a prime feature in the principles of this society , that it includes all the sisterhood of the fine arts , and another , that it invites rather the community who have a taste for the enjoyment of one or all of those arts , than the professions of the arts themselves . A large general constituency is thus sought to be secured , which , whilst it gives might and importance to the action of society , will probably avert that tendency to " cliquism , favouritism , and partisanship / ' which has been the ruin of so many purely art institutions . That the professions of the arts , and those practically and commercially connected with them , are not

      illdisposed towards this new catholic organisation , nor unmindful of the influence it will probably exercise upon their interests , may be judged from the alacrity and unanimity with which they came forward to give their aid in honour of its inauguration . Mr . Martin , the lessee , lent the Hanover Square Rooms without charge ; the singers , including the Orpheus Glee Club , sang gratuitously ; and the owners of pictures came forward to lend the pick of their collections to decorate the walls . Sculptors , too , were there in the lower room ; so that , altogether , an evening ' s entertainment- was produced which may be pronounced as unique as it

      was varied in character , and winch went off without a hitch , to the evident satisfaction of all concerned . As for the business part of the proceedings , it chiefly went to setting before the public a resum £ of the progress and intentions of the society , points which , as they have already been discussed in these columns , we need not again enter upon in detail . Viscount ltanclagh , one of the vice-presidents , who took the chair in the unavoidable absence of the Earl of Carlisle , the President , gaye a matterof-fact statement of the declared views of the promoters , as set forth in the programme , and

      plainly put the question , " Was there room for such a society ? " his affirmative reply to which was ratified by an impressive cheer frpm the audience . Then came Mr . Ottley ' s address , which was listened to with attention , and gave general satisfaction . In the course of it the speaker candidly referred to the conditions necessary to ensure public support to any project of thi 3 kind , and whilst he put forth pretensions to enjoy it , he judiciously disclaimed all intention of rivalry with any other existing body ;—We cannot be blind to the fact ( ho said ) that , in this plain-speaking , plain-going country , the public , when

      appealed to by the promoters of any undertaking upon public grounds , are accustomed instinctively to hold a little aloof—to exercise a wise reserve , hesitating to accept and ratify the proposition until well satisfied of the ingenuousness and hona fides with which it is brought forward , and the probable means of its eventual successful accomplishment . We do not complain of this ; on the contrary , wo gladly uccept the condition—the only sure title to euccees is to deserve it , and that we hope to do . We are well aware , also , that in tills advanced age there is scarcely any field of intellectual enterprise * which certain modifica

      is not to a certain extent , and under - tions , already occupied , and that a natural jealousy- is excitod in the minde of those who so occupy the position of all who are supposed to meditate Invading it . Allow mo then , on the pnrt of the council of this society , to invite the public to apply the most rigid scrutiny to our scheme . If thoy seo Unit it is a good one , and likely to prove of use , lot them « dopt it { if otherwise , let them withhold their support . Wo know the result , and are prepared to abide by it . And with regard to all thoao , whether public bodies or individuals , taking an aofcivo part in anything relating to the interests of art , let u «

      Untitled Article

      The Calamities and Quarrels of Authors , < fe . # c . By Isaac D'lsraeli . Anew Edition , Edited by his Soni the Rt . Hon . Benjamin Disraeli . Routledge and Co-Days of Old . Three Stories from Old English History . Macmillan and Co . Florence . A Tale . By Mr . E . Hammond . James Blackwood . The Book of Job . By T . J . Conaut . Triibner and Co . The Foster Brothers . A . Hall , Virtue , and Co . Hanworth . J . W . Parker and Son . Augustin and Wenonda ; or , Forgiveness of Injuries . Tallant and Allan . The Prayer Book and its History . By the Bey . O . Okehurst . Wertheim and Co .

      Memoirs of W . Bedford of Fonthilli . 2 vola . C . J ' Skeet . Our Veterans of 1854 »» Camp before the Enemy . By a Regimental Officer . C . J . Skeet . The Elays of Shahspeare . Edited by Howard Staunton . Vol . II . Routledge and Co . How to Farm Profitably ; or , the Sayings and Doings of Mr . Alderman Mechi . 8 vo . Routledge and Co . Moore's Irish Melodies . People ' * Edition . Longman and Co . The Kangaroo Hunters . By Anne Bowman . 8 vo . Routledge and Co . An Old Debt By Florence Dawion . Smith , Elder . ^ and Co . .

      New Pictures and Old Panels . By Dr . Dorau . 8 vo R . Bentley . The English Schoolgirl . By Mrs . Alfred Higginson . Chapman and Marshall . Memoirs of Bartholomew Fair . By Henry Morley . Chapman and Hall . A Few out of Thousands : their Sayings and Doings . Groombridge and Co . False Appearances . By . Mr * . Blackay . A . Hall , Virtue , and Co . Canadian Crusoes . A Tale . By Catherine Parr Traill . A . Hall , Virtue , and Co . Father and Daughter . By Frederika Bremer . Translated by Mary Howitt . A . Hall , "Virtue , and Co .

      The English Boy in Japan . By William Dalton . Nelson and Son . Thorndale . By William Smith . W . Blackwood and Sons . The History of Moses Wimble . By Himself . C . J . Skeet . Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili , Peru , and Brazil . By Thomas , Earl of Dundonald , K . C . B ., and Admiral of the Fleet , &c . &c . 2 vols . James Ridgway . Outlines of Scripture History . By Rev . J . E . Riddle , M . A . Longman and Co . Chiming Trifles . By an Oxonian . W . Kent and Co . History of the Reign of Philip II ., King of Spain . By W . H . Preacott , Vol . II . Routledge and Co .

      The Boys' Booh of Modern Travel and Adventure . By Meredith Johns . W . Kent and Co . Relics of Genius . By T . P . Grinatead . "W . Kent and Co . Ballads and Songs . By Edward Capern , the Bideford Postman . W . Kent and Co . The Theory and Practice of the International Trade of the United States and England . By P . Barry . Trttbner and Co . John Halifax , Gentleman . 4 th Edition . Hurst and Blackett . The Pulpit Observer / or 1858 . Judd and Glass . Le Magasin de Librqtirie Public . Par Charpeutior . Paris : Charpentier . The Fairy Tale of Science . By John Casgill Brough . Griffith and Farren .

      The Logic of B anking . By J . W . GHbart , F . K . S . Longman and Co , Lays of the Middle Ages , and other Poems . By James Hpdderwick . Macmillan and Co . Cambridge Essays . 1858 . J . W . Parker and Son . Recollections of a Literary Life , ij ' c . By Mary Rusaell Mitford . R . Bentley . The Town , By Leigh Hunt . Smith , Elder , and Co . Proverbs with Pictures . By C . H . Bennett . Chapman and Hull . Reports lielating to the Sanitary Condition of the Strcmd District of London . By Conway Evans , M . D . John Churchill . On Copper Smelting . By Hyde . Clarke , Esq ., C . E . •' Mining Journal" Office , Fleet-street . Lessons on Mind . J . W . Parker .

      BOOKS RECEIVED . Tales Jrom Blackwood . Vol . III . Fcap , 8 vo . W . Blackwood and Sons , The Two Mottoes . By the Author of " Summerleigli Manor . " J . W , Parker and Son .

      Untitled Article

      No . 457 , December 24 , 1858 . j TE E LEA P E B . 1413

      Untitled Article

      Music in Paris . —A monstor concert on a ocalo of monstrosity never bofore hoard of is projected for April next . 208 choral societies , numbering among them 7000 performer * , are to be congregated within the . walls of the Crystal Palace iu the Champs Elystfes . M . Delaporte , the President of the Choral Society of Paris , and M . Vautin , * rddaoteur of the Orpheon and of the Pays , aro the leaders of the enterprise , which is said to be patronised by Meyerbeer . Afiucan Immiquaxxon . —The comminalon on the immigration of nogrooa into the Fronoh colonies ia about to examine the Bishop of Martinique and the Bishop of Qabon both of whom happen to be in Pari * .

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  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 24, 1858, page 1413, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2274/page/13/