Mr. Hawthorne has wonderfully heightened his
effect by making the ear, in place of the eye, the medium by which the
fantasy is conveyed. The head of the mourner is enveloped in the cloak
of the witch, and within its magic, folds there arise sounds which
have an all-sufficient intelligence. Throughout this article also, the
artist is conspicuous- not more in positive than in negative merits.
Not only is all done that should be done, but (what perhaps is an
end with more difficulty attained) there is nothing done which
should not be. Every word tells, and there is not a word which does
not tell.
In "Howes Masquerade" we observe something which resembles a
plagiarism- but which may be a very flattering coincidence of thought.
We quote the passage in question.
"With a dark flush of wrath upon his brow they saw the general
draw his sword and advance to meet the figure in the cloak before
the latter had stepped one pace upon the floor.
"'Villain, unmuffle yourself,' cried he, 'you pass no further!"
"The figure without blanching a hair's breadth from the sword
which was pointed at his breast, made a solemn pause, and lowered
the cape of the cloak from his face, yet not sufficiently for the
spectators to catch a glimpse of it. But Sir William Howe had
evidently seen enough. The sternness of his countenance gave place
to a look of wild amazement, if not horror, while he recoiled
several steps from the figure, and let fall his sword upon the floor.
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