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Art. 24. - Arrivals from India, or Time's a great Master, a Novel. 4 Vols. By Henrietta Rouvierre [sic] Mosse, Author of Lussington Abbey; Heirs of Villeroy; Peep at our Ancestors; Old Irish Baronet, &c. &c. London, Newman, 1812, price 1l. 2s.
The author of Arrivals from India seems from the title-page to have seen some service in the exercise of the quill. The present performance is well calculated to catch the attention of novel-readers; and the circulating libraries will make their money by ordering a few copies. There is nothing new nor particularly lively in the performance. It is like many others of the same kind, with this exception that the fair author keeps in mind the good old moral of virtue rewarded, and vice punished. Here is nothing to condemn, and certainly nothing very much to commend. The chief characters are every day ones, and the remarks rather common-place and trite. The story of Mrs Woodley, however, is not ill-connected, the development of Sir James Streeton's character and villany [sic] is well managed, and the finale just as it should be. Georgiana is an elegant little witch; and Sydenham, a very worthy fine fellow, highly deserving the good fortune which the author has been pleased to bestow upon him by giving him so lovely a wife as Georgiana. The best drawn scene is the discovery, which is made of Mrs Woodley being the wife of Lord Bellmont, and the sister of Lord Riverston. The author of the present novel has been guilty (we presume through haste) of many inaccuracies of language, and various awkward expressions. Mrs Freeman concluded she 'had no call to reveal to Miss Sydenham.' This is one instance among many; but this one is enough. [complete]
Provided by Julie A. Shaffer, January 2000
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