The most captious critic
could find no flaw in this production.
"The Minister's Black Veil" is a masterly composition of which the
sole defect is that to the rabble its exquisite skill will be caviare.
The obvious meaning of this article will be found to smother its
insinuated one. The moral put into the mouth of the dying minister
will be supposed to convey the true import of the narrative, and
that a crime of dark dye, (having reference to the "young lady") has
been committed, is a point which only minds congenial with that of the
author will perceive.
"Mr. Higginbotham's Catastrophe" is vividly original and managed
most dexterously.
"Dr. Heidegger's Experiment" is exceedingly well imagined, and
executed, with surpassing ability. The artist breathes in every line
of it.
"The White Old Maid" is objectionable, even more than the
"Minister's Black Veil," on the score of its mysticism. Even with
the thoughtful and analytic, there will be much trouble in penetrating
its entire import.
"The Hollow of the Three Hills" we would quote in full, had we
space;- not as evincing higher talent than any of the other pieces,
but as affording an excellent example of the author's peculiar
ability. The subject is commonplace. A witch, subjects the Distant and
the Past to the view of a mourner. It has been the fashion to
describe, in such cases, a mirror in which the images of the absent
appear, or a cloud of smoke is made to arise, and thence the figures
are gradually unfolded.
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