Art. 20. Tales of the Priory. By Mrs Hofland. 4 Vols. 12mo. 1l. 4s. Boards. Longman and Co. 1820.
We have received pleasure from the perusal of these tales, and can recommend them as being original, interesting, full of variety, and inculcating sound morality and generous sentiments. In the story, however, called 'The Poet's Son and the Painter's Daughter,' the liberality of Mrs Barnard to her fellow-lodgers is somewhat overcharged, though her character is happily conceived: perhaps, also, the speeches of uneducated persons are too plentifully introduced in these volumes. We must likewise notice several verbal inaccuracies which have escaped the fair author, such as, vol. i. p. 29., 'the youngest brother had now shook off:' p. 69., 'so much was his spirits depressed:' p. 181., 'Let them laugh who wins.' Vol. ii. p. 205., 'she precipitably returned:' p. 258., 'pays du malade,' for maladie du pays. Vol. iii. p. 125., 'the innocent being which had first awoke:' p. 132., 'her husband had began:' p. 140., 'with that care and prudence which he had no doubt would be taken of him:' p.151., 'I cannot think you should engage in the profession without I was assured:' p. 152., 'Orlando had bade his friends adieu:' p.232., 'stentorion tone:' p.285., 'Betty insisted on him remaining with them, &c.
[complete] Provided by Julie A. Shaffer, September 1999.
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