He is, to judge from his book, a good man, one
who is not so willing as the majority of us, to let his philanthropy remain
"Like unscour'd armour, hung by the wall;"
and we hope the forcible positions of the truths he has here inculcated,
will bestir others from their laxity. The most attractive sketches in the
series are the Gipsy Girl and De Lawrence. In the latter there are scenes
of considerable energy and polish. The hero, a profligate, after abusing
all the advantages of fortune, commits a forgery, and is executed. The
sympathies of an affectionate wife, in his misery and degradation, tend to
heighten the interest, and point the moral of the story; his last interview
with the partner of his woe is admirably drawn, as are some caustic
observations on that most disgusting of all scenes--a public execution and
its repulsive orgies. We give a portion of the interview, which appears to
us to contain some fine touches of deep remorse:--
"Accompanied by her parents and her infant, she alighted at the tavern
which adjoined the prison-house. Her father went immediately to arrange for
the interview; which, as the time of execution drew nigh, must take place
instantly or not at all.
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