University of Virginia Library

“We cannot but remark on the versatility of Mr. Cooper's genius, which
imparts equal life to the wild Indian, the weatherbeaten sailor, the picturesque
pirate, the romantic and mysterious tyranny of Venice, and the bold feudal
spirit of the middle ages. In this very work, Heinrich, the burgomaster, is a
complete Flemish picture.”

“Vigorous, terrible, and with its interest sustained to the last, Frankenstein
is certainly one of the most original works that ever proceeded from a female
pen.”

“Universally and cordially do we recommend this delightful volume. Impressed
with the genuine spirit of Christianity; a diary, as it were, of the feelings,
hopes, and sorrows of a family,—it comes home to all, either in sympathy
or example. It is a beautiful picture of a religious household, influencing to
excellence all within its sphere. We believe no person could read this work,
and not be the better for its pious and touching lessons.”

“We fearlessly pronounce this delightful little volume to be not only one of
the most faultless, but every way valuable works it has ever fallen to our lot
to recommend to public persual.”

“The Rectory of Valehead is a beautiful model of domestic life in the Christian
home of a well-regulated family, and combines literary amusement with the most
refined and intellectual improvement.”

“One of the first female novelists.”

“The most correct of female writers, Miss Austen.”

“Her fables appear to us, in their own way, nearly faultless. * * * She conducts
her conversations with a regard to character hardly exceeded by Shakspeare
himself. Like him, she shows as admirable a discrimination in the character of
fools, as of people of sense: a merit which is far from common. * * * Those
who delight in the study of human nature, may improve in the knowledge of it,
and in the profitable application of that knowledge, by the perusal of such
fictions as those before us.”

“It is one of the most elegant fictions of common life we ever remember to
have met with.”

“Mansfield Park contains some of Miss Austen's moral lessons, as well as
her most humorous descrptions.”

“The work, Sense and Sensibility, is of the same correct and instructive
character as those which have preceded it, showing the same knowledge of characters
and dramatic skill in portraying them; the same simplicity of plot, the
same power of interesting the feelings deeply, and the same elevated tone of sentiment.”