On, lovely do the moonlight nights above Barbadoes smile! Of far surrounding waves, wherein the skies their glory view: I've left behind the pleasant homes that in New England stand, But when the stars are set in Heaven, each, like a brilliant seal, Such moonlight hours! in after years dear Memory will throw P. B. A PRAYER. A THOUSAND miles divide me from my child- Cold, in the silent grave, may sleep my heart. Spare her the many perils I have known. S. LITERARY NOTICES. MIRIAM COFFIN, or the Whale-Fishermen: a Tale. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 415. New-York: G. AND C. AND H. CARVILL. "QUOTH he there was a ship!" This exordium of the Antient Marinere might, to most readers, who should merely glance at the title of these volumes, seem to indicate the main substance of their contents. A perusal of them, however, will evince the author's power to weave a varied work out of what might at first sight seem a discouraging paucity of materiel. Taken in detached portions, "Miriam Coffin" will elicit deserved admiration for the faithfulness of its descriptions, and the graphic, life-like force and beauty of many of its delineations. But considered as a whole, it is incapable of sustaining the interest of the reader by its plot-if plot it may be said to have any-or by the consecutive blending of the different points in the story. These are managed with far less nature and skill, than are manifested in the construction of the several parts. We were about to say that the scene is laid in the island of Nantucket; but in so doing, we might do injustice to an author who gives us in his pages so many occurrences to remember which happened elsewhere, and so many entertaining incidents, with which that island has nothing to do. Be this as it may, the first scene of the tale opens in Nantucket. It is heralded by an introduction, after the manner of the author of Waverley. Like Scott, the author holds converse with the writer of the MSS. which is to form the future novel. The description of this interview, in a secluded quarter of the island, known by the name of Siasconset, upon the shore of the ocean, is well drawn. An artist might easily depict the rude hut and paraphernalia of the fisherman-author, and his habiliments, from the graphic sketch the Editor gives us. This editorial method of introducing works to the world has become something too common; and hence a happy adroitness in evading the difficulties of a custom so trite, indicates no trifling skill in the writer. The work may be termed a descriptive novel; and the reader will rise from its perusal, with the recollection of many striking scenes, but scarcely with the power to bring them into any satisfactory connection with one another. The following are extracts from the opening chapter. Jethro Coffin is the husband of Miriam Coffin, the heroine of the tale-a female portraiture not in all respects so naturally drawn as the other personages of the story. He is a rich citizen of the town of Sherburne, Nantucket, and is awaiting with impatience the arrival of his two ships, from a perilous voyage of three years: "The two vessels were manned by nearly a hundred souls, selected from the hardy populace of Nantucket; and every family on the island consequently felt an interest in the successful termination of the voyage. Wives looked anxiously and fearfully for husbands, too long absent from home;-affectionate parents for affectionate children;-and sisters for brothers long parted. This intensity of feeling, wound up to a painful pitch by the protracted absence and uncertain fate of the vessels, had however been much relieved by the report of a fast sailing India trader lately arrived at Boston, then the chief mercantile port of the colonies. The welcome news was in due season transferred to Nantucket, and joyfully bruited on the Oil-'Change at Sherburne. The weathercock of the lighthouse, on the sandy point at the entrance of the harbor, was, after this, more constantly watched than ever. The least unfavorable turn of the huge sheet-iron whale, swinging faithfully with the breeze at the top of the beacon-light, was sufficient, at this conjuncture, to produce sadness of heart in the multitude; but the chopping of the vane, when the breeze sprung up from the south, was the signal for renewed hope and cheerful confidence. Thus did the slight and inanimate fishlike profile, symbolical of the trade of the place, as it veered about under the impulse of the wind, become the lever to raise or depress the animal spirits, and to excite, alternately, the hopes and fears of a whole community!" A violent storm of wind and rain suddenly prevailed. The " sea wrought and was tempestuous" about the sandy island. Seated by a cheerful, blazing fire, Jethro Coffin listens to the rain rattling against the casement, the wind howling over the chimney top, and the huge waves rolling and tumbling in upon the beach: "But if a sensation of personal security, and assurance of present comfort came over the mind of Jethro at all, they were but momentary. He had ships on the coast, and his only son trod the deck, or perhaps 'rocked on the giddy mast' of one of them. His thoughts were 'far-far at sea.' In the midst of his painful reflections, he frequently drew his breath hard; and anon his lips uttered an unwonted sound, between a sigh and a groan, plainly denoting the agonizing of the spirit. Now, lighting his pipe, he smoked vehemently, but in silence; and then, resigning himself, with a desperate effort, to the trying emergency of the time, he leaned back in his chair, and no further betrayed the conflict within than by a convulsive nervousness, that showed itself in the clasped hands and the rapid twirling of his thumbs. Miriam, seated in the other corner of the fire-place, was absorbed in her own reflections, and plied her fingers zealously at her knittingwork. Ruth Coffin, the daughter, stood at a window looking out upon the gloomy sky, pouting with her pretty cherry lips, and ever and anon biting her finger-nails with sheer vexation at the weather." This is natural description, and atones for much of the prolonged soliloquy and dialogue which immediately succeed it. We will here attempt a synopsis of the prominent points of the volumes: After the storm is over, Jethro Coffin walks down to the sea-shore, finds a bale of goods, and puts his waif or claim-mark upon it. He indulges in Quaker sarcasms upon his neighbor, Peter Folger, who has followed him down to the beach to look for spoils,' and who, throughout the volume, is distinguished for the untiring use of the expletive "Minnows and mack'rel!"—a sentence, that, like the speaker, soon palls upon the reader. Jethro, who is described as a stout Quaker, is finally overcome by the thoughts of his boy, who is on the sea in one of his expected vessels, and he faints upon the sand. He is borne home by Peleg. The next chapter arranges the inhabitants along the beach, to gaze at an approaching ship. It is Jethro Coffin's; and the picture of the nearing and landing of the vessel, and the joyful welcomings, from the shore and from the ship, are given with fine dramatic effect. Then follows a de scription of the annual sheep-shearing at Nantucket, for which that island is celebrated—of an entertainment, and certain dishes of quohog, concerning which our author has one of his favorite episodical dissertations. Next comes the history of a secret society-not unlike the Masonicamong the ladies of the island; and a narrative of Peleg Folger's adventure with a ram, which is not remarkably felicitous. It serves, however, to introduce an anecdote-touching a call upon "two strangers" to stop the refractory animal-that is as old as the everlasting hills, and the wit of which, in its best estate, was very problematical. Two strangers arrive at the shearing ground, who introduce each other to the company-particularly to Mary Folger, daughter of Peleg, and to Ruth Coffin, the daughter of "Jethro, and Miriam his wife," to adopt a scripture classification. These personages are Lawyer Grimshaw and Dr. Imbert. They soon "make themselves acquainted," and visit the wigwams and school-room of some Indians upon the island, where the Doctor is delighted with a young squaw, named Manta, whose ruin he subsequently effects. The next scene presented is the hut of an old fortune-telling hag, who acts the same part that is set down for such a character in all approved works of fiction. There are the usual waving of wands, repeating of doggerel verses, and chanting of incantations. Then follows a ball, held in Jethro Coffin's sail-loft, or store-house; previous to which the author causes Lawyer Grimshaw and Dr. Imbert to "burst into a fit of incontrollable laughter at a naïve dialogue," which every body has seen in the anecdote department of almanacs and newspapers, indicating that a facetious person once observed that he was helping another to do nothing. The description of the ball-room and its decorations, and the smuggled orchestra, is to the life. The negro's wit is not always apparent; although he is evidently intended to play the droll. A little reconnoitering between the Lawyer and the Doctor, and the fair Ruth and Mary, closes the ball-room scene. The young ladies retire to rest, talking over the merits of their professional admirers, and those of two island-lovers, who were at the dance, and seemed not a little jealous of the Lawyer and the Doctor. Before they have fallen to sleep, the new-comers serenade them under their window, in a song, the words and music of which are printed in the book. This brings us to the conclusion of the first volume-the last chapter of which is devoted to some remarks upon ship-building, and to a vivid description of a contest between Jethro Coffin's son Isaac, and an Indian lad while bathing on the sea-shore. The tawny son's endeavors to throttle and drown his antagonist, prove unsuccessful, and he is separated from his intended victim, but vows deep revenge. The second volume opens with preparations to go to sea, on the part of Jethro Coffin, in his ship the Grampus. His wife Miriam, by the assistance of Lawyer Grimshaw-who has become domiciliated in the family, and who is insidiously maneuvering to obtain the hand of her daughter Ruth-is invested with power to manage all her husband's business at home during his absence. His son Isaac craves permission to accompany his father on the voyage, but is refused; he is afterwards discovered on board, after the vessel has sailed, and proves a great fa vorite among the sailors. Miriam Coffin uses all her endeavors, after her husband's departure, to obtain her daughter's hand for the lawyer, but she continues obstinate. Meantime, the Grampus is on her way to England, and we have sailor stories at the commencement of the voyage, by way of episode, from one Bill Smith. It was at the period of hostilities between France and England, and the Grampus being a colonial vessel, is chased by a French schooner; and, after having received one or two shots, the captain, Seth Macy, wakes up, and stands upon his reserved rights. The annexed is a vivid narration of the result: "Stand by there, men!' shouted the captain, in a voice that made every sailor start. It was evident to all that Seth had put off the Quaker, and that prompt obedience was necessary. "Get the long-boat ready to be launched at a moment's warning-clear away the quarter-boats-and see all clear to lower them in an instant. Mate, take in all the small sails quickly!' "The manner of Seth was somewhat wild, but resolute and determined; and the men and officers, having done his behest, stood wondering what command would next be issued, and whereunto those would tend that had already been executed. The Frenchman was also at fault; for, mistaking the maneuvering of Seth for an intention to give up his ship, the schooner was hove to, and scemed to await the lowering of the boat from the quarter of the Grampus-even as the conqueror awaits the approach of an enemy subdued, who comes to yield up his sword. In rounding to, the schooner had given the advantage of the wind to the ship; and while the French crew stood agape at the management of the larg er vessel, which they already looked upon as a prize, Seth seized upon the helin with his brawny hand. The men, scarcely needing the cautioning word, anticipated his intention as he put the helm hard up, and gave his impressive shout in a suppressed and peculiar tone, which was heard distinctly from stem to stern :— "Let go all the braces and bowlines-slack off sheets and tacks-and square the yards quickly! This was all done in the twinkling of an eye, and Seth shaped his course as though he would bring his ship under the lee-quarter of the pri vateer. "After making this demonstration, which was intended to deceive the enemy, her direction was suddenly changed, and her head was brought to bear directly upon the hull of the Frenchman! The crew of the schooner now discovered, but too late, the design of the Grampus; and confusion and dire amazement agitated the people upon her crowded deck. In their haste to remedy their oversight, the Frenchmen failed altogether to avert the threatened disaster. "If thou dost intend to run her down,' said Jethro to Seth, hurriedly, projecting his head for a moment from the cabin gangway-if-nay, hear me, Seth!for the sake of humanity-if thou art determined to run her down, ease thy helm a little, and give them a chance for their lives!' "Stand by to lower the boats!' vociferated Seth, stamping furiously upon the deck. A suppressed groan of horror escaped the crew, as they now more plainly conceived the design of their captain. "The boldest held his breath for a time!' "The little schooner still lay to, in the trough of a deep sea-her people running backwards and forwards in frightened confusion-while the huge bulk of the Grampus mounted the last high wave that separated the two vessels. "Miséricorde exclaimed a hundred voices. "A wild scream of despair-heard far above the noise of the elements, and the dashing of the ship-burst from the poor doomed Frenchinen. "Down came the Grampus, thundering upon the privateer, and striking her with her plunging bow directly amidships! The frail schooner was cut directly in two by the shock; and her heavy armament, together with the irresistible |