FREDERICK WILDING
Is by no means a common novel. It proposes to depict the "ways of the world ;" and we are much mistaken if the author is not one who is pretty well experienced in them. The work does not derive Its -claim to notice from any brilliant talent of any kind on the part . of the author, but altogether from the mixture of common sense and the evidence of extensive practice in life that mark every page. The style is plain, and the conduct of the story altogether differ- • eat from that of ordinary works of fiction : at times it proceeds With great indifference of effect, indulging only in dialogues of . Considerable extent on the ordinary questions of life, and at others it hurries along with a stream of violent improbabilities, which, though possible, look very like invention : in short, it very closely reseriables reality, a conspicuoits characteristic of which is an alter- nation of ennui and wonder,—at one time, the monotony of' intents wearies to disgust ; and at another, events take place which make us mad. If this character or that accident were introduced into a book of fiction, they would be rejected as violating the very name of probability. Frederick Wilding, the hero of the story, is a rash and warm- hearted jroung man of familY and fortune; who is traced from his earliest years, through good report and ill report, until disappoint- ment and calumny settle him as a wretched gambler, deprived of honour, wealth, and character. The descent is detailed with a patience and a minuteness which altogether astonish the reader; but his restoration to prosperity,—being, we suppose, much the less common process,—is marked by the exaggeration of its inci- dents and the improbability of its motives. The tone of the whole book is one of startling truth and reality; not elevated enough for romance, not composed and orderly enough to be the narrative of one attempting to deceive. The characters are many of them striking, and altogether uncommon; and yet perhaps not the less drawn from life. Mrs. Subtile and her son are a pair of the basest hypocrites that have yet been introduced into romance; and the character of Mr. Arnold, the professional gambler, a fine speci- men of systematic villany. The early education of Wilding is also interesting, and seems too natural to be feigned: the cha- racter of his grandfather is at least taken from life. The scene lies in Kent and the metropolis. We should guess the author to be some retired old stager, who, seeing everybody writing novels, has determined not to let his curious experience die without a chance of fructifying. We recommend Frederick Wilding, not to young ladies impa- tient of discussion, and only satisfied when they are hurried.from one outrage of probability to another; but to those who think life is worth pausing and reflecting upon, and who take an interest in its ordinary questions and its extraordinary characters.
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