THE PRELATE.

Tins novel is the work of a clever and reflecting mind, possessing an acquaintance with certain kinds of life rather than a Ion orl,(1,!;-e of the world, and neither devoid of reading nor destitute of lite- rary power to express its own conceptions forcibly and distinctly, but without any of that art which is necessary to all intellectual labourers, but snore especially to a writer of fiction, or of that ex- tensive knowledge of the subject treated which almost supersedes the necessity of art by enabling the artist to reflect lettere.

Tile Prelate of the tale is a scion of the house of D Llama water, attained for its rebellion in lbws's of the Stuarts. From his youth Ito has been trained by his grandfather in a peculiar manner, not ac- curately described. to the ambition and accomplishments of a states- man, so that the honours of the line may be restored through him. The prejudices of George the Third, however, are too strong to be overcome: there are no hopes of procuring any thing front the Court or through the Court ; and young Fitzgerald, after an edu- cation in Switztaland finished at Cambridge, becomes private se- cretary to a pompous Peer, who fancies himself a statesman. This would seem a god enough incident for a competent mail to have painted the political intrigues during the early part of the reign of George the Third ; but use author wanted the ability, or changed his mind, or most probably wrote without a purpose. No sooner is Fitzgerald introduced into the family of the Earl of Erringcourt, than he quits it ; a quarrel with his grandfinher causes him to be left penniless; but wealth is again bestowed upon him through the caprice of an old Scotch Lord, whose cynical humour is forcibly portrayed. During his temporary poverty, Fitzgerald has taken orders : on his accession to wealth, Ise retires to a living, and remains there till accident introduces him to a needy noble- man, through whose interest he is made a Bishop.

Coupled with these public allhirs is a love story, neither very pro- bable nor very pleasing. Mr. Fitzgerald seduces his mistress under aggravated circumstances ; and having, years afterwards when a prelate, paid his addresses to Isis patron's daughter, finds a riVid in his unknown son, and dies from a fit of' apoplexy, brought on by excitement and remorse—or, more truly, by a dread of the discovery of his conduct to Ellen Rochlbrt.

Some of the scenes in this strange and purposeless tale display very considerable literary ability. The various adventures at Cambridge, thinigh not likely, are told with vigour, and indicate a full knowledge of University habits. The characters of Lord Erringcourt, his wile, his maiden sister bent upon getting married, and above all of Lord Handl, are drawn with consistency and spirit, and display the vitality of living persons, though their ac- tions are scarcely probable. A similar observation applies to the bargaining soul intrigues which snake Fitzgerald a Bishop. They show an acquaintance with the general spirit of political life, and a power of embodying it ; but the bodies themselves are deficient both in shape and conduct. This, however, is so common in novels, that it might be passed over ; but there is a much deeper fault springing from the same source—narrow knowledge or defi- cient art. There is neither coherence nor purpose in the story ; no deduction to be drawn from it : it is truly " a story without an end," and theretiwe a story without interest. There is no humanity in the characters ; we care nothing about their liste; and this more especially applies to the hero. The only incident throughout the whole two volumes that excites any sympathy, is the seduction and death of Ellen Rochfort : but the probability of tile circumstances do not bear analysis. The work, in short, is a singular example of powers very much beyond a Minerva Press writer, produciug a tale of much less interest titan a Minerva Press novel.

The opening of the story takes place in Switzerland; and fur- nishes scope for it few sketches of the scenery and manners of the country. Here is one.

A SWISS PEASANT WEDDING.

Paul, who, according to custom, was surrounded by his fiends, cast many an anxious glance towards Lisette as she entered the room ; but until they met at church it was not etiquette to appraach nearer. Ile thought every moment ass age till the signal should be given to proceed: this, however, did not deisoul (spoil the principle personages themselves, but upon their friends; for in a ISsviss marriage, like the human victims iss a Pagan sacrifice, those who were moi:t concersed had the least direction in tbe !natter.

The sledges in which they were to pass the short distance between the farm and the sacred edifice, where the Curt:, awaited them, were, however, at last announced, and the train set forward ; the bride, conducted by her father and the bridegroom, in his gaily decorated vehicle, alone. The knot once tied, Paul and his wife returned together ; the sledge, gallantly guided, dashing through the crowd of vilhorers assembled to have a peep tit the blushing bride, and who followed them witit many cheers and the lining of their guns.

On their arrival home, the coldness of the season necessarily confined the

next roasted in the hot ashes by the youth of either sex, caels watching thei own particular nut : if two belonging to the same. of single blessedness was foretold; ir one belonging spinster companions, each alternately plunging in her hand, the successful finder tieing assured by the omen of being married NsVii.:11.1,11:41)::thse:sileysitecaNtor;gtehNt,l,ier., li:stiowneThof the parties was as infallibly predicted. Frequent and amusing as were the costa temps produceil by this species of augury, inimy a half-forgotten feeling re., rived, and occasionally the seed of jealousy was sown.

PATRONAGE. lie hj ShOWII in the arrangement with Lord Erriugeourt. and that's no weak tie ; and, sifter all, the advantage. must be made by your: self—it's no hanging like a ripe cherry, ready to drop Isis? your mouth." Fitzg.erald thanked Isim for his good wishes, nail the interest which

" no name it, my lad," replied Isis host ; we share the sasne Maid.

" I doubt lust but that by zeal and sissisi silty," began Fis;_rerald—bist a and peolliar whistle ou flue pet of Isis loot stopped hint : and they remained gazing upon each otlwr for a few moments in silence; theyslistsg Irma astonished at the interruption, Mid the olst Peer eyeing his guest with Is keen grey eyes, as if he would read his very south ‘• Zeal and as,,id :" iterated the Scot : " very proper,. im doubt ; but that's no your game, l'in thissking. Come, we Innis he frank w 1., such other; sad, as in duty bound, the elder Amidst set the example—I'll begns. If you hare nn better ideas than zeal and assiduity, Lord Erring essurt's is :so the opportunity: they are right sterling qualities, no doulst, Inn are rarely pyoperly valuta!: virtue, they say, is its own reward, and in my fish's I liali,v•• it—for it tardy meets with any. other. Now it this .ppoint,eet is to psi ve is striping-stone, you must have sky eye of a hawk ;Intl the scent of us blia).1:1sound. Yollr Otro asIvaneemost soss,t be continually before your eyes, to the Xel!4;41)ii erery

other object ; even—even," h tithed slowly, " if the tan it him who trusts

you he the price. It is by: the sliflicultics into which the blist is slay plunging lists, 'lhtaitll p in reatatlieitsty, x turns 0" hit" l'ultitY a" dei""" your

Fitzgerald's ethics were not of the isurest order where ambition was con- cerned ; last Ise almost started at tlw Instil. unprincipled course marks:II out for hint by Isis host ; itIto, after having finished Isis advice, sat coolly eyeing him to see what effect it had produced.

"There is much of worldly wisdom, doubtless, in your Lordship's advice; but is it altogether such as I can follow ? The violation of mutual confidence " Alittual conlislowe almost roared his Lordship. ::"Xlsat confidence do you think will exist between you and the mond thol o.; Erringeourt: God save use htlt I think my old friend I tvrwent water has mistaken your spirit. I'll tell you : your patron and emplwyer (lit e.g i rah! coloured at the words) will look upon 41,11 as Isis purchased property—as much so as Isis horse or dog; intellect, time, liss• saerinee or ysstithrol will he Isis. Ile will be polim t•Iyoli, slit tingly polite. ISost love yet to learn the pain which follows the vivilit v ()I' Is grrat mills to his dependant, Were it pos.:Shit, that your in- tercourse should he of it ditferent natisre than the one I have doss:ribs:a, mach as wi,h tius■ our success, WOUIll lie the last to bid you purchase it by such means."