University of Virginia Library

“A book elegant enough for the centre table, witty enough for after dinner, and wise
enough for the study and the school-room. One of the beautiful lessons of this work is
the kindly view it takes of nature. Nothing is made in vain not only, but nothing is
made ugly or repulsive. A charm is thrown around every object, and life suffused
through all, suggestive of the Creator's goodness and wisdom.”

“Moths, glow-worms, lady-birds, May-flies, bees, and a variety of other inhabitants of
the insect world, are descanted upon in a pleasing style, combining scientific information
with romance, in a manner peculiarly attractive.”

“The book includes solid instruction as well as genial and captivating mirth. The
scientific knowledge of the writer is thoroughly reliable.”

“A more fascinating book than this rarely issues from the teeming press. Fascinating
in its subject; fascinating in its style; fascinating in its power to lead the reader into
castle-building of the most gorgeous and bewitching description.”

“This is a most welcome book, full of information and amusement, in the form of
memoirs, comments, and anecdotes. It has the style of light literature, with the usefulness
of the gravest. It should be in every library, and the hands of every reader.”

“A Book of Books.—Two deliciously spicy volumes, that are a perfect bonne bouche
for an epicure in reading.”

“We have here the most charming book we have read these many days,—so
powerful in its fascination that we have been held for hours from our imperious labors,
or needful slumbers, by the entrancing influence of its pages. One of the most desirable
fruits of the prolific field of literature of the present season.”

“Two brilliant and fascinating—we had almost said, bewitching—volumes, combining
information and amusement, the lightest gossip, with solid and serviceable wisdom.”

“It is a most admirable book, full of originality, wit, information and philosophy
Indeed, the vividness of the book is extraordinary. The scenes and descriptions are
absolutely life-like.”

“The works of the present writer are the only ones the spirit of whose rhetoric does
justice to those times, and in fascination of description and style equal the fascinations
they descant upon.”

“The author is a brilliant writer, and serves up his sketches in a sparkling manner.”

“No work has heretofore appeared suited to the wants of the historical student,
which combined the labors of artists, travellers, interpreters and critics, during the
periods from the earliest records of the monarchy to its final absorption in the empire
of Alexander. This work supplies this deficiency.”

“Not only the geography and political history of Egypt under the Pharaohs are
given, but we are furnished with a minute account of the domestic manners and customs
of the inhabitants, their language, laws, science, religion, agriculture, navigation
and commerce.”

“These volumes present a comprehensive view of the results of the combined labors
of travellers, artists, and scientific explorers, which have effected so much during the
present century toward the development of Egyptian archæology and history.”

“The descriptions are very vivid and one wanders, delighted with the author, through
the land of Egypt, gathering at every step, new phases of her wondrous history, and
ends with a more intelligent knowledge than he ever before had, of the land of the
Pharaohs.”

“Dr. Redfield has produced a very curious, amusing, and instructive book, curious
in its originality and illustrations, amusing in the comparisons and analyses, and instructive
because it contains very much useful information on a too much neglected
subject. It will be eagerly read and quickly appreciated.”

“The whole work exhibits a good deal of scientific research, intelligent observation,
and ingenuity.”

“Highly entertaining even to those who have little time to study the science.”

“This is a remarkable volume and will be read by two classes, those who study for
information, and those who read for amusement. For its originality and entertaining
character, we commend it to our readers.”

“It is overflowing with wit, humor, and originality, and profusely illustrated. The
whole work is distinguished by vast research and knowledge.”

“The plan is a novel one; the proofs striking, and must challenge the attention of the
curious.”

“It is not for a moment to be doubted, we think, that in this volume a contribution
has been made to the clearness and accuracy of Shakespeare's text, by far the most important
of any offered or attempted since Shakespeare lived and wrote.”

“The corrections which Mr. Collier has here given to the world are, we venture to
think, of more value than the labors of nearly all the critics on Shakespeare's text put
together.”

“It is a rare gem in the history of literature, and can not fail to command the attention
of all the amateurs of the writings of the immortal dramatic poet.”

“It is a book absolutely indispensable to every admirer of Shakespeare who wishes
to read him understandingly.”

“It is clear from internal evidence, that for the most part they are genuine restorations
of the original plays. They carry conviction with them.”

“This volume is an almost indispensable companion to any of the editions of
Shakespeare, so numerous and often important are many of the corrections.”

“It is comprehensive and accurate in the detail of facts, methodical and lucid in arrangement,
with a lively and flowing narrative.”

“We need not say that the work of Michaud has superseded all other histories
of the Crusades. This history has long been the standard work with all who could
read it in its original language. Another work on the same subject is as improbable
as a new history of the `Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.'”

“The most faithful and masterly history ever written of the wild wars for the Holy
Land.”

“The ability, diligence, and faithfulness, with which Michaud has executed his
great task, are undisputed; and it is to his well-filled volumes that the historical student
must now resort for copious and authentic facts, and luminous views respecting
this most romantic and wonderful period in the annals of the Old World.”

“This is one of the best works of the kind we have ever read—full of thrilling incidents
and adventures in the stirring times of Cromwell, and in that style which has
made the works of Mr. Herbert so popular.”

“The work is distinguished by the same historical knowledge, thrilling incident, and
pictorial beauty of style, which have characterized all Mr. Herbert's fictions and imparted
to them such a bewitching interest.”

“The author out of a simple plot and very few characters, has constructed a novel
of deep interest and of considerable historical value. It will be found well worth
reading”

“Whether poetry be defined as the rhythmical creation of beauty, as passion or eloquence
in harmonious numbers, or as thought and feeling manifested by processes of
the imagination, Alice Carey is incontestably and incomparably the first living American
poetess—fresh, indigenous, national—rich beyond precedent in suitable and sensuous imagery—of
the finest and highest qualities of feeling, and such powers of creation as the
Almighty has seen fit to bestow but rarely or in far-separated countries.”

“The genuine inspiration of poetic feeling,... replete with tenderness and beauty,
earnestness and truthful simplicity, and all the attributes of a powerful imagination and
vivid fancy. We know of no superior to Miss Carey among the female authors of this
country.”

“Alice Carey's book is full of beautiful thoughts; there is draught after draught of,
pure pleasure for the lover of sweet, tender fancies, and imagery which captivates
while it enforces truth.”

“`Lyra and other Poems,' just published by Redfield, attracts everywhere, a remarable
degree of attention. A dozen of the leading journals, and many eminent critics
have pronounced the authoress the greatest poetess living.”

“A timely publication is this volume. A more charming companion (in the shape of
a book) can scarcely be found for the summer holydays.”

“They are amusing sketches, gay and sprightly in their character, exhibiting great
facility of composition, and considerable powers of satire.”

“There is a brilliant play of fancy in `Lillian,' and a moving tenderness in `Josephine,'
for which it would be hard to find equals. We welcome, therefore, this first collected
edition of his works.”

“As a writer of vers de societe he is pronounced to be without an equal among English
authors.”

“The author of this volume was one of the most fluent and versatile English poets that
have shone in the literary world within the last century. His versification is astonishingly
easy and airy, and his imagery not less wonderfully graceful and aerial.”

“They are graphic stories, and in the highest degree attractive to the imagination as
well as instructive, and can not fail to be popular.”

“These tales are written in the popular author's best style, and give us a vivid and
thrilling idea of the customs and influences of the chivalrous age.”

“His narrative is always full of great interest; his descriptive powers are of an uncommon
order; the romance of history loses nothing at his hands; he paints with the
power, vigor, and effect of a master.”

“They bring the past days of old England vividly before the reader, and impress upon
the mind with indelible force, the living images of the puritans as well as the cavaliers,
whose earnest character and noble deeds lend such a lively interest to the legends of
the times in which they lived and fought, loved and hated, prayed and revelled.”

“It is hard to say whether his poetry, his speeches in parliament, or his brilliant
essays, are the most charming; each has raised him to very great eminence, and would
be sufficient to constitute the reputation of any ordinary man.”

“It may be said that Great Britain has produced no statesman since Burke, who has
united in so eminent a degree as Macaulay the lofty and cultivated genius, the eloquent
orator, and the sagacious and far-reaching politician.”

“We do not know of any living English orator, whose eloquence comes so near the
ancient ideal—close, rapid, powerful, practical reasoning, animated by an intense earnestness
of feeling.”

“Mr. Macaulay has lately acquired as great a reputation as an orator, as he had formerly
won as an essayist and historian. He takes in his speeches the same wide and
comprehensive grasp of his subject that he does in his essays, and treats it in the same
elegant style.”

“The same elaborate finish, sparkling antithesis, full sweep and copious flow of
thought, and transparency of style, which made his essays so attractive, are found in
his speeches. They are so perspicuous, so brilliantly studded with ornament and illustration,
and so resistless in their current, that they appear at the time to be the wisest
and greatest of human compositions.”

“Another charming book by the author of the “Study of Words,” on a subject which
is so ingeniously treated, that we wonder no one has treated it before.”

“It is a book at once profoundly instructive, and at the same time deprived of all
approach to dryness, by the charming manner in which the subject is treated.”

“It is a wide field, and one which the author has well cultivated, adding not only to
his own reputation, but a valuable work to our literature.”

“The work shows an acute perception, a genial appreciation of wit, and great research.
It is a very rare and agreeable production, which may be read with profit and
delight.”

“The style of the author is terse and vigorous—almost a model in its kind.”

“It is not often the novel-reader can find on his bookseller's shelf a publication so full
of incidents and good humor, and at the same time so provocative of honest thought.”

“It is full of incidents; and the reader becomes so interested in the principal personages
in the work, that he is unwilling to lay the book down until he has learned their
whole history.”

“It is refreshing to meet occasionally with a well-published story which is written for
a story, and for nothing else—which is not tipped with the snapper of a moral, or
loaded in the handle with a pound of philanthropy, or an equal quantity of leaden philosophy.”

“The work is a chef d'œuvre in a style of literature in which our country has no
rival, and we commend it to all who are afflicted with the blues or ennui, as an effectual
means of tickling their diaphragms, and giving their cheeks a holyday.”

“We find, on a perusal of it, that Mr. Paxton has not only produced a readable, but
a valuable book, as regards reliable information on Texan affairs.

“The book is strange, wild, humorous, and yet truthful. It will be found admirably
descriptive of a state of society which is fast losing its distinctive peculiarities in the
rapid increase of population.”

“One of the richest, most entertaining, and, at the same time, instructive works one
could well desire.”

“The book is a perfect picture of western manners and Texan adventures, and will
occasion many a hearty laugh in the reader.”

“One of those singular tales which impress themselves in ineradicable characters
upon the memory of every imaginative reader.”

“Notwithstanding it takes the form of a novel, it is understood to be substantial truth
in the dress of fiction; and nothing is related but which has its prototype in actual
reality.”

“It is a tale of frontier life and Indian warfare, written by a masterly pen, with its
scenes so graphically depicted that they amount to a well-executed painting, at once
striking and thrilling.”

“Mr. Pulszky and his accomplished wife have produced an eminently candid and
judicious book, which will be read with pleasure and profit on both sides of the Atlantic.”

“The authors have here furnished a narrative of decided interest and value. They
have given us a view of the Hungarian war, a description of the Hungarian passage to
this country, and a sketch of Hungarian travels over the country.”

“Of all the recent books on America by foreign travellers, this is at once the most
fair and the most correct.”

“Unlike most foreign tourists in the United States, they speak of our institutions,
manners, customs, &c., with marked candor, and at the same time evince a pretty thorough
knowledge of our history.”

“This is a valuable book, when we consider the amount and variety of the information
it contains, and when we estimate the accuracy with which the facts are detailed.

“A volume of great and curious interest to all concerned to know the early history
of this great Western land.”

“We believe that this is altogether the most thorough work that has appeared on the
subject to which it relates. It is the result of long-continued and diligent research, and
no legitimate source of information has been left unexplored. The work combines the
interest of romance with the authenticity of history.”

“Mr. Shea has rendered a service to the cause of historical literature worthy of all
praise by the excellent manner in which he has prepared this important publication for
the press.”

“The book, though small in compass, is evidently the work of great research and
reflection and is a valuable acquisition to historical literature.”

“A work of great erudition and power, vividly reproducing the wonderful era of Roman
history under the kings. We greet it as a work of profound scholarship, genial
art and eminent interest—a work that will attack the scholar and please the general
reader”

“Nearly all the histories in the schools should be banished, and such as this should
take their places.”

“Professor Newman's work will be found full of interest, from the light it throws on
the formation of the language, the races, and the history, of ancient Rome.”

“Mr. Herbert is one of the best writers of historical tales and legends in this or another
country.”

“This is a work of great power of thought and vividness of picturing. It is a moving
panorama of the inner life of the French empire in the days of chivalry.”

“The series of works by this author, illustrative of the romance of history, is deservedly
popular. They serve, indeed, to impart and impress on the mind a great deal of
valuable information; for the facts of history are impartially exhibited, and the fiction
presents a vivid picture of the manners and sentiments of the times.”

“The work contains four historical tales or novelettes, marked by that vigor of style
and beauty of description which have found so many admirers among the readers of
the author's numerous romanaes.”

“One of the most brilliant biographies in English literature. It is the life of a wit
written by a wit, and few of Tom Moore's most sparkling poems are more brilliant and
fascinating than this biography.”

“This is at once a most valuable biography of the most celebrated wit of the times,
and one of the most entertaining works of its gifted author.”

“The Life of Sheridan, the wit, contains as much food for serious thought as the
best sermon that was ever penned.”

“The sketch of such a character and career as Sheridan's by such a hand as Moore's,
can never cease to be attractive.”

“The work is instructive and full of interest.”

“It is a gem of biography; full of incident, elegantly written, warmly appreciative,
and on the whole candid and just. Sheridan was a rare and wonderful genius, and has
in this work justice done to his surpassing merits.”

“A more entertaining book than this is not often thrown in our way. His sketches
of character are inimitable; and many of the prominent men of his time are hit off in
the most striking and graceful outline.”

“He was a very shrewd observer and eccentric writer, and his narrative of his own
life, and sketches of society in Ireland during his times, are exceedingly humorous and
interesting.”

“It is one of those works which are conceived and written in so hearty a view, and
brings before the reader so many palpable and amusing characters, that the entertainment
and information are equally balanced.”

“This is one of the most entertaining books of the season.”

“It portrays in life-like colors the characters and daily habits of nearly all the English
and Irish celebrities of that period.”

“Of great value, both for its historical merit and its acknowledged impartiality.”

“It has long been regarded in Europe as a work of more than ordinary merit, while
to military men his review of the tactics and manœuvres of the French Emperor during
the few days which preceded his final and most disastrous defeat, is considered as
instructive, as it is interesting.”

“It is a standard authority and illustrates a subject of permanent interest. With
military students, and historical inquirers, it will be a favorite reference, and for the
general reader it possesses great value and interest.”

“It throws much light on often mooted points respecting Napoleon's military and
political genius. The translation is one of much vigor.”

“It supplies an important chapter in the most interesting and eventful period of Napoleon's
military career.”

“It is ably written and skilfully translated.”

“As we read his pages, the reformer, the sensualist, the skeptic, the man of the
world, the seeker, the sister of charity and of faith, stand out from the Scriptures, and
join themselves with our own living world.”

“Mr. Chapin has an easy, graceful style, neatly touching the outlines of his pictures,
and giving great consistency and beauty to the whole. The reader will find admirable
descriptions, some most wholesome lessons, and a fine spirit.”

“Its brilliant vivacity of style forms an admirable combination with its soundness of
thought and depth of feeling.”

“It is a record which, while it confers honor on the sex, will elevate the heart, and
strengthen it to the better performance of every duty.”

“It is a book of great attractiveness, having not only the freshness of novelty, but
every element of historical interest.”

“It is written with great spirit and a hearty sympathy, and abounds in incidents of
more than a romantic interest, while the type of piety it discloses is the noblest and
most elevated.”

“This work claims more attention than is ordinarily given to books of its class. Such
is the fluency and correctness—nay, even the nicety and felicity of style—with which
Madame Pulszky writes the English language, that merely in this respect the tales here
collected form a curious study. But they contain also highly suggestive illustrations of
national literature and character.”

“Freshness of subject is invaluable in literature—Hungary is still fresh ground. It
has been trodden, but it is not yet a common highway. The tales and legends are very
various, from the mere traditional anecdote to the regular legend, and they have the
sort of interest which all national traditions excite.”

“We have no hesitation in pronouncing this one of the most interesting works which
has for a long time issued from the press.”

“The narratives are intensely interesting, and the more so, as they are evidently written
by a man whose object is simply to tell the truth, and who is not himself bewitched
by any favorite theory.”

“He is a powerful and graphic writer, and from what we have seen of the pages of
the `Master Builder,' it is a romance of excellent aim and success.”

“The `Master Builder' is the master production. It is romance into which is instilled
the reality of life: and incentives are put forth to noble exertion and virtue. The story
is pleasing—almost fascinating; the moral is pure and undefiled.”

“Its descriptions are, many of them, strikingly beautiful; commingling in good proportions,
the witty, the grotesque, the pathetic, and the heroic. It may be read with
profit as well as pleasure.”

“The work before us will commend itself to the masses, depicting as it does most
graphically the struggles and privations which await the unknown and uncared-for
Mechanic in his journey through life. It is what might be called a romance, but not of
love, jealousy and revenge order.”

“The whole scheme of the story is well worked up and very instructive.”

“This comprehensive treatise should be read by all who wish to secure health,
and especially by those constructing churches, lecture-rooms, school-houses, &c.—It
is undoubted, that many diseases are created and spread in consequence of the little
attention paid to proper ventilation. Dr. G. writes knowingly and plainly upon this allimportant
topic.”

“The whole book is a complete manual of the subject of which it treats; and we
venture to say that the builder or contriver of a dwelling, school-house, church, theatre,
ship, or steamboat, who neglects to inform himself of the momentous truths it
asserts, commits virtually a crime against society.”

“When shall we learn to estimate at their proper value, pure water and pure air,
which God provided for man before he made man, and a very long time before he
permitted the existence of a doctor? We commend the Uses and Abuses of Air to our
readers, assuring them that they will find it to contain directions for the ventilation of
dwellings, which every one who values health and comfort should put in practice.”

“A story of rural and domestic life, abounding in humor, pathos, and that naturalness
in character and conduct which made `Clovernook' so great a favorite last season.
Passages in `Hagar' are written with extraordinary power, its moral is striking and
just, and the book will inevitably be one of the most popular productions of the season.”

“She has a fine, rich, and purely original genius. Her country stories are almost
unequaled.”

“The Times speaks of Alice Carey as standing at the head of the living female writers
of America. We go even farther in our favorable judgment, and express the opinion
that among those living or dead, she has had no equal in this country; and we know
of few in the annals of English literature who have exhibited superior gifts of real poetic
genius.”

“Halleck is one of the brightest stars in our American literature, and his name is
like a household word wherever the English language is spoken.”

“There are few poems to be found, in any language, that surpass, in beauty of
thought and structure, some of these.”

“To the numerous admirers of Mr. Halleck, this will be a welcome book; for it is a
characteristic desire in human nature to have the productions of our favorite authors
in an elegant and substantial form.”

“Mr. Halleck never appeared in a better dress, and few poets ever deserved a better
one.”

“He discourses in a truly learned and lively manner upon the original unity of language,
and the origin, derivation, and history of words, with their morality and separate
spheres of meaning.'

“This is a noble tribute to the divine faculty of speech. Popularly written, for use
as lectures, exact in its learning, and poetic in its vision, it is a book at once for the
scholar and the general reader.”

“It is one of the most striking and original publications of the day, with nothing of
hardness, dullness, or dryness about it, but altogether fresh, lively, and entertaining.”

“It is written in a plain, direct, common-sense style, and is free from the quackery
which marks many of the popular medical books of the day. It will prove useful to
those who need it

“Those who are clergymen, or who are preparing for the sacred calling, and public
speakers generally, should not fail of securing this work.”

“It is full of hints on the nature of the vital organs, and does away with much superstitious
dread in regard to consumption.”

“This work gives some valuable instruction in regard to food and hygienic influences.”

“They are partly the romance of history and partly fiction, forming, when blended,
portraitures, valuable from the correct drawing of the times they illustrate, and interesting
from their romance.”

“They are spirit-stirring productions, which will be read and admired by all who
are pleased with historical tales written in a vigorous, bold, and dashing style.”

“These legends of love and chivalry contain some of the finest tales which the
graphic and powerful pen of Herbert has yet given to the lighter literature of the day.”

“The Pilgrimage is fraught throughout with scenes of thrilling interest—romantic,
yet possessing a naturalness that seems to stamp them as real; the style is flowing and
easy, chaste and beautiful.”

“Miss Chesebro' is evidently a thinker—she skims not the mere surface of life, but
plunges boldly into the hidden mysteries of the spirit, by which she is warranted is
making her startling revelations of human passion.”

“There comes out in this book the evidence of an inventive mind, a cultivated taste,
an exquisite sensibility, and a deep knowledge of human nature.”

“It is a charming book, pervaded by a vein of pure ennobling thought.”

“There is no one who will doubt that this is a courageous and able work, displaying
genius and depth of feeling, and striking at a high and noble aim.”

“There is a fine vein of tenderness running through the story, which is peculiarly
one of passion and sentiment.”

“A series of essays by one of the most generous thinkers and sincere lovers of truth
in the country. He looks at society from an independent point of view, and with the
noblest and most intelligent sympathy.”

“This is the production of a mind richly endowed of a very peculiar mould. All
will concede to him the merit of a vigorous and brilliant intellect.”

“A perusal of the essays leads us to think, not merely because of the ideas which
they contain, but more because the ideas are earnestly put forth, and the subjects discussed
are interesting and important to every one.”

“They have attracted much attention both here and in Europe, where the author is
considered as holding a distinctive and prominent position in the school of modern
philosophy.”

“The writer wields a masterly and accurate pen, and his style is good.”

“It will have many readers, and almost as many admirers.”

“We believe the Literature of War has not received a more valuable augmentation
this century than Col. Napier's justly celebrated work. Though a gallant combatant in
the field. he is an impartial historian.”

“Napier's History, in addition to its superior literary merits and truthful fidelity,
presents strong claims upon the attention of all American citizens; because the author
is a large-souled philanthropist, and an inflexible enemy to ecclesiastical tyranny and
secular despots.”

“The excellency of Napier's History results from the writer's happy talent for impetuous,
straight-forward, soul-stirring narrative and picturing forth of characters
The military manœuvre, march, and fiery onset, the whole whirlwind vicissitudes of
the desperate fight, he describes with dramatic force

“In this volume there is a freshness which perpetually charms the reader. You seem
to be made free of western homes at once.”

“They bear the true stamp of genius—simple, natural, truthful—and evince a keen
sense of the humor and pathos, of the comedy and tragedy, of life in the country.”

“These simple and beautiful stories are all highly endued with an exquisite perception
of natural beauty, with which is combined an appreciative sense of its relation to
the highest moral emotions.”

“Gladly do we greet this floweret in the field of our literature, for it is fragrant with
sweet and bright with hues that mark it to be of Heaven's own planting.”

“There is a depth of sentiment and feeling not ordinarily met with, and some of the
noblest faculties and affections of man's nature are depicted and illustrated by the skilful
pen of the authoress.”

“Since Lockhart and Macaulay's ballads, we have had no metrical work to be compared
in spirit, vigor, and rhythm with this. These ballads imbody and embalm the
chief historical incidents of Scottish history—literally in `thoughts that breathe and
words that burn.' They are full of lyric energy, graphic description, and genuine feeling.”

“The fine ballad of `Montrose' in this collection is alone worth the price of the book.'

“Here is a book for everybody who loves classic fun. It is made up of ballads of
all sorts, each a capital parody upon the style of some one of the best lyric writers of
the time, from the thundering versification of Lockhart and Macaulay to the sweetest
and simplest strains of Wordsworth and Tennyson. The author is one of the first
scholars, and one of the most finished writers of the day, and this production is but the
frolic of his genius in play-time.”

“We do not know to whom belongs this nom de plume, but he is certainly a humorist
of no common power.”

“The author of `Lorenzo Benoni' is Giovanni Ruffini, a native of Genoa, who effected
his escape from his native country after the attempt at revolution in 1833. His book is,
in substance, an authentic account of real persons and incidents, though the writer has
chosen to adopt fictitious and fantastic designations for himself and his associates. Since
1833, Ruffini has resided chiefly (if not wholly) in England and France, where his qualities,
we understand, have secured him respect and regard. In 1848, he was selected by
Charles Albert to fill the responsible situation of embassador to Paris, in which city he
had long been domesticated as a refugee. He ere long however, relinquished that office,
and again withdrew into private life. He appears to have employed the time of his exile
in this country to such advantage as to have acquired a most uncommon mastery over
the English language. The present volume (we are informed on good authority) is exclusively
his own—and, if so, on the score of style alone it is a remarkable curiosity.
But its matter also is curious.”

“A tale of sorrow that has lain long in a rich mind, like a ruin in a fertile country, and
is not the less gravely impressive for the grace and beauty of its coverings... at the
same time the most determined novel-reader could desire no work more fascinating over
which to forget the flight of time.... No sketch of foreign oppression has ever, we believe,
been submitted to the English public by a foreigner, equal or nearly equal to this
volume in literary merit. It is not unworthy to be ranked among contemporary works
whose season is the century in which their authors live.”

“The book should be as extensively read as `Uncle Tom's Cabin,' inasmuch as it
develops the existence of a state of slavery and degradation, worse even than that which
Mrs. Beecher Stowe has elucidated with so much pathos and feeling.”

“Few works of the season will be read with greater pleasure than this; there is a
great charm in the quiet, natural way in which the story is told.”

“The author's great forte is character-painting. This portraiture is accomplished
with remarkable skill, the traits both individual and national being marked with great
nicety without obtrusiveness.”

“Under the modest guise of the biography of an imaginary `Lorenzo Benoni,' we have
here, in fact, the memoir of a man whose name could not be pronounced in certain parts
of northern Italy without calling up tragic yet noble historical recollections.... Its
merits, simply as a work of literary art, are of a very high order. The style is really
beautiful—easy, sprightly, graceful, and full of the happiest and most ingenious turns of
phrase and fancy.”

“This has been not unjustly compared to `Gil Blas,' to which it is scarcely inferior in
spirited delineations of human character, and in the variety of events which it relates.
But as a description of actual occurrences illustrating the domestic and political condition
of Italy, at a period fraught with interest to all classes of readers, it far transcends
in importance any work of mere fiction.”