P340.1

HARVARD

UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

"RINGAN GILHAIZE," "The Trials of Margaret Lindsay," and "Reginald Dalton," are the works we mean to notice under this title, which of right, however, belongs only to the last of them; for the first is inferior to the second, the second to the third, and it is only this last, which, as compared with the novels and tales from the inimitable pen of the Author of Waverley, deserves to be described as really and truly of the second order of merit. "Ringan Gilhaize" is the work of a person who has written a great deal to some purpose and, among other things, "The Earthquake" and "Wheelie:" common report ascribes the "Trials of Margaret Lindsay" to a gentleman of more genius than observation, more enthusiasm than genius, and more extravagant sentimentalism than correct feeling or refined taste: the title-page of "Reginald Dalton" bears that it is by the Author of "Valerius" and "Adam Blair," to both of which it is, in every point of view, incredibly superior.

“Ringan Gilhaize." We have of ten thought that there was a considerable resemblance between the author of this novel and the driver of a stage-coach ;-both condemned to trudge over and over again the same limited track,-both very much at home within their narrow range,both profoundly ignorant of every thing beyond it,-both grievously disposed to annoy passengers with long stories,--both vociferous laughers at their own jokes,-while in both, the

VOL. XIII.

humour and the vulgarity of the tales is also very much upon a parallel.

Mr Galt, who, we believe, is now generally admitted to be the author, is not a man of an original or comprehensive mind; be possesses merely a limited talent in a particular department, and the department in which he does excel, is one for which, we must confess, we have no very great sympathy or admiration. In that particular walk, however, we are ready to admit that his merits are considerable. He is a close observer of the habits of the lower classes,→ rather deep-read in "the humble annals of the poor," and certainly paints, with considerable force and humour, the details of the cottage, and the society of country villages. It is true, that, even in the list of these delineations, it was never difficult to point out a grossness of outline which bordered on caricature, and a glare of colouring which looked like daubing. The humour was frequently strained-depending upon circumstances either grossly improbable, or bearing on their face too obvious marks of laborious preparation; and the objection of exaggeration applied, with still greater force, to the tone of feeling which charac terized his attempts at the pathetic,a tone which was, in general, singularly inconsistent with the defective intelligence and imperfect sensibility of the humble personages among whom the scene was laid. But still these defects were not material. In A