20 AUGUST 1831, Page 21

Both the works under the head of Fiction this week,

are pictures a Red Indian life by American writers. The Last of the Mohicans is a well-known and admirable view of the principles which guided and the feelings which animated the Indian in the latter days of his glory. It is one of the most noble and spirit-stirring views that was ever taken of a portion of perishing humanity. There is nothing in all that is preserved to us of' Greece and Rome which surpasses some of COOPER'S pictures of Indian fidelity, endurance, sagacity, and noble self-abandonment. The Last of the Mohicans himself has features of nobleness which, when once impressed on the mind of the reader, can never be forgotten.

The Dutchman's Fireside is a much quieter performance, and a work also of very considerable talent. It is conceived more in the temper and tone of WASHINGTON IRVING than of COOPER; and besides its views of Indian life and character, contains numerous scenes of humour and character. connected with border life. Sy- brandt, the hero, is atashful young Dutchman, who dares not look a female cousin in the face. Of unquestionable bravery, learning, and talents,---and having claims upon his relative for having se- veral times preserved her existence when in danger,—he is yet after all rejected, for some of the best possible female reasons. His manners are awkward, and his breeches are snuff-coloured. After, however, great experience among the Indians, and in a border war against the French Canadians, the man feels himself a man, and resolves upon facing the woman. Amidst a great deal of character developed in this volume, • none please us so much as the sketches of Indian manners, and of their Anglo-Indian, the famous Sir WILLIAM JOHNSON. There is also a great deal of very sweet description of scenery, more par- ticularly of the banks of the Hudson and the Mohawk, when they were in a very different state from what they appear in Mr. Fow- LER'S book.