The U.S. Democratic Review Volume 24 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1849 edition. Excerpt: ... the secret of painting in such natural colors The idea of thus reconciling prose with poetry, the domain of experience and observation with that of extravagantinvention, was, perhaps siiggested by that class of German productionslike The little glass Manikin, and other tales vith akindred inspiration, which pur ort to utilitarianize the fnncieslof the Hoffman school. However this may be, wehearti y approve of this mode of amalgamation, and consider the homely touches of fairy pictures as their sole redeeming trait. In the Haunted Man it has been the aim of Mr. Dickens to embody a solemn moral truth of the highest Christian and consolatory character; holding forth all the more refined feelings of our nature, the exquisite tenderness which enables us to appreciate and relish whatever of true happiness may chance to fall to our lot--in short, the poetry ofthe human heart, as exclusively the result of that schooling which we obtain through adversity; so that he who has never known sorrow and wrong is wholly incompetent to enjoy the blessings of life.. The fantastic canvass, whereon he has w'ronght out the illustrations that picture out this truth. is to the following effect: Redlaw, a chemist of high scientific attainments, and considered by the vulgar as a haunted man, is represented in his laboratory, full of quaint things, musing alone one Christmas Eve, when a ghost appears, the very counterpart of himsell, who taunts him with the bitter remembrance of the griefs through which he has passed, before attaining hispresent position. In despair, the philosopher entreats to be released from his persecutor, who consents to visit him no more, and informs him that he will her-etofure communicate to all who come within his reach the...