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Art. 29. The Maid of the Hamlet. A Tale, in Two Vols. by Regina Maria Roche, Author of the Vicar of Lansdown. 12mo. 6s. Long. 1793.
The Novel presents a History, in which are combined some interesting incidents. The outline of the story is as follows. Matilda Stanley, the Heroine of the Tale, is the ward of Mr Belmore, a man of years and experience, who is obliged by a law-suit terminated against him, to reduce his expenditure, and retire to the secrecy of a Hamlet. Here an acquaintance is formed with young Howard, whose melancholy habits had driven him to this retirement, and are with difficulty overcome, by the friendly offices of Mr Belmore. At the pressing instances of the latter, Howard resolves upon entering again into active life; procures a commission, and bids adieu to the Hamlet and to England. Previously to his departure, he deposits a paper with Matilda, by which she learns that his melancholy arose from an unfortunate marriage with the repudiated but unknown wife of his dearest friend. Mr Hartley, a man of fortune, in the neighbourhood, conceives a passion for Matilda, whom accident had thrown in his way. His overtures are warmly received by Mr Belmore, who wishes to see his Ward well settled. The reluctance of Matilda, to whom the image of Howard is ever present, is at length conquered by the importunities of Mr Belmore, and Harley obtains her hand. Brom-[695]ley, a Libertine, who had in an earlier stage of her history, attempted to seduce Matilda, without success, now imagines a new plan of seduction, by exciting the jealousy of her husband. In this he succeeds to a certain degree. Harley is enraged at the suspicious character of his wife, transports her to his estate in the North of Ireland, and treats her with no ordinary rigour. A shipwreck, casts Bromley upon the coast; in moments of penitence, he acknowledges his secret machinations in the presence of Harley, who restores his wife to the enjoyment of his confidence. Mr and Mrs Harley now return to England; and, Harley dying a short time after, Howard, (whose wife had perished in a storm, from which Bromley escaped) is at length united to Mrs Harley, the former Maid of the Hamlet.
The conduct of this Novel is not upon the whole happily managed: the rules of connection and verisimilitude are not sufficiently adhered to: the narrative is too frequently broken, and probability too grossly violated. Bromley schemes too ill for a man of the world, and accidents throw Howard too fortunately in the way. In other respects this writer, as we have remarked, is not without merit; the sentiments are every where in unison with nature, and partake of that feeling which does honour to her sex.
Provided by Julie A. Shaffer, January 2000
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