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Canterbury Tales. Vol. IV. By Harriet Lee. 8vo. Robinsons. 1803.
In this volume, Miss Lee relinquishes the plan she first adopted, and continues her interesting Tales, without thinking it necessary to confine herself to Canterbury for her subjects. This point we leave to her own discretion; neither shall we fastidiously enquire, where the Travellers were picked up by whom her stories are related, so long as she continues to interest the feelings, without injuring the judgment of her readers. The volume before us comprises the German's Tale and the Scotchman's Tale. In the first we find much originality of thought, together with a considerable portion of mystery, which is carried on with increasing interest until the final developement.
It is not necessary, neither would it be consistent with our limits, to enter into a detail of this story. The following short epitome may suffice: - Count Siegendorf, the hero, a man nobly descended, and possessed of great personal intrepidity, and of no small share of talents, is nevertheless unfortunately addicted to pleasure, and the slave of pride. By the one he becomes profligate, and by the other intemperate and rash; and by their united influence he ruins his health, is banished his paternal estate, gives birth to a murderer, and falls an early victim to despair and death, exhibiting an important lesson to the young and inexperienced, and an awful warning of the consequences to be expected from the inordinate indulgence of these prevailing passions.
The Scotchman's Tale is by no means so interesting as the preceding one. The plot is too easy, and the arrangement too simple, to fix the attention, or affect the heart, though in other respects it is written with freedom and spirit. We are always pleased to observe any incentive to filial piety, and therefore read with pleasure the quotation of Gray's tender recollection, 'that he never could have but one mother.' The moral of this tale is perfectly unexceptionable, and the sentiments such as we should expect from a writer, who seems to have studied the intricacies of the human heart, and directed her talents no less to the instruction than to the amusement of the Public. B. [complete]
Provided by Julie A. Shaffer, November 1999.
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