GEALE'S ERNESTO DI RIPA.LTA. * This " tale " curiously exemplifies

how good abilities, a living knowledge of a subject, and the habit of taking large views of things, will stand in the stead of special qualifications, and overcome even a difficulty in the theme. Mr. Geale is wanting in the power, essential to a novelist, which always maintains a certain degree of strength in the commonest dialogue and the expositional parts of the narrative, by the naturalness and closeness of the diction ard ideas, while writers who have not this poetico-dramatic quality are apt to be weak and literal. To make con- temporary history the subject of a fiction where the history is a very prominent part of the story, is difficult, not merely from our having been familiar with the subject as news, but from its not admitting the altera- tions and additions necessary to fiction. Yet in spite of a difficulty in the subject, and a deficiency in the author, Ernesto di .Ripalta is an interesting book. Mr. Geale understands his subject: he knows the Ita- lians, the evils they complain of, the vague projects they proposed to re- medy them, and the manner in which local feelings, the conceited confi- dence of the many, and the want of training to business, destroyed their hopes, when accidents placed success within their grasp. He justly con- ceives the broad outlines of character, and marks the minnter shades with great nicety and distinctness. He can sustain the deeper scenes, whether of politics or passion, with sufficient effect, notwithstanding the want just spoken of. And he allows the elements of the story to carry events to their natural conclusion, without warping them for the sake of a "happy ending," or pushing them to exaggeration for the sake of effect, except perhaps occasionally in single incidents. The weakness and su- perstition of the Roman character, even in some of the best and loftiest minds—the necessary unhappiness of ill-assorted marriages, which a marriage between foreigners generally is—and the unfortunate conse- quences that a conscientious attachment to the llomish communion frequently may lead to, from the dogma of no salvation beyond the pale of the Church--are his morals ; and he impresses them forcibly. The tale is one of love and politics. Ernesto di Ripalta is the youthful representative of a noble Roman family, whose father had perished the victim of Papal tyranny ; and whose mother, a firm believer in the Pope and the Church, never ceases to ascribe her husband's death to the judg- ment of God. Her son, though not devoid of a national reverence or prejudice for the Pope as a spiritual father, is averse to the ghostly inter- ference and temporal claims of the priests. He is a Liberal with more en- thusiasm than plan, and a conspirator against Pope Gregory; under whose latter days the early part of the novel passes. Ernesto's school- fellow and friend, Gustave de Montmaure, is a Swiss noble, a Calvinist and opponent of the Papal domination, but a friend to Italian freedom ; in both of which capacities, his resolute, practical, and staid character, does a good deal more for the cause he embraces than the wilder zeal of his friend. For De Montmaure is an active instrument in the expulsion of the Jesuits from Switzerland, and contributes quite as much to the Italian revolution as Ernesto, if not more. An English family is intro- duced upon the stage at Rome, partly perhaps as an indicative picture of the generality of the English in Italy : their direct action on the tale is that Ernesto clandestinely marries Emma Montague, the daughter, after her conversion to the Romish creed ; and it is discovered too late by both parties that English and Italian training and ideas do not amalgamate,— though we think Mr. Geale bears too hard upon the English. The heroine of the tale is not Emma Montague, but Angelica di Ripalta; whose heart is sought both by Charles Montague and De Montmaure; but her hand, through maternal religions feeling and priestly influence, is designed for the Couht di Casanova, a rich, accomplished, and well-born Roman noble. Casanova is the villain of the piece, so far as Mr. Geale's knowledge of the world allows him to have villains - and when it is discovered that be has denounced Ernesto to the Papal Government, and is the cause of his imprisonment and banishment under Gregory, his hopes as lover are at an end. Angelica, the daughter, is at length brought to favour the snit of De Montmaure, despite the difference of their religion; and the Jesuit confessor of the family (a well-drawn character, though with too much of the popular idea of the extraordinary abilities of the members of the order) rather lends his aid to the plan, with the view of softening the hostility of the influential Swiss politician, and possibly of bringing him within the pale of the Church. All these hopes, however, are destroyed by the religions feelings of the old Marchesa on her deathbed. Father Verrone endeavours to Booth and modify the devotee; but she will not be satisfied without a direct pledge from her daughter. "Just at this moment their conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Angelica; who, stealing noiselessly into the chamber, took her usual place at the bedside of her mother. The Idarchesa took her daughter's hand within hers, And then, as if exhausted by her earnest conversation with the Jesuit, closed her eyes, and for some time seemed occupied in silent prayer. Angelica responded to the pressure of her mother's cold hand, by affectionately kissing her pallid cheek. The soft touch of her daughter's lips, and her warm breath, seemed at once to re- vive the Marches& She opened her eyes, and gazed upon her daughter with a look of ineffable affection. Oh! my Angelica, what a comfort in this hoar is your presence and affection. Were my beloved Ernesto now here, methinks I could, like blessed Simeon, pray to depart in peace. But, alas! that may not be. On earth I shall never more embrace my son nor he his mother.' "Tears coursed down the furrowed cheeks of the Marchese, and again her blanched lips were seen to move as if in silent prayer; while deep sobs betrayed the anguish of Angelica. The Jesuit, with a look of tenderest sympathy, took the disengaged hand of the Idarchesa. " 'You may not,' said he 'meet your son again on earth; but you will meet tan in that better land, the eternal home of the faithful.'

• Ernesto di Ripalta; a Tale of the Italian Revolution. By the Author of "Notes of a Elder.Two-years Residence in Italy." In three volumes. Published by Smith and " The Marchesa's whole countenance changed at the voice of the Jesuit. Her eyes beamed with a rapturous expression. " ' Yea, I shall meet him there' my father. He has suffered much, and erred i much, like h father; but it will be forgiven him. The Church has a rich tree- sury of pardon and mercy for its children and Ernesto will never leave its fell We shall all meet again in Paradise ; shall we not, my Angelica?'

"'Oh! my beloved mother, such indeed is my most earnest and cherished hope.'

"'And you would be ready,' asked the Marchese, rising suddenly from her pillow, and grasping her daughter's arm, 'you would be ready to sacrifice any object, however dear and cherished, that intervened between you and that hope; you would break the fetters, though twined with roses, that would separate yen hereafter from your mother and your God?' "Angelica, terrified at this impassioned appeal of her mother, answered in a voice broken with emotion, 'Oh! my mother, weak is my faith and feeble my best exertions ; yet I would hope for strength from above to make the sacrifice you mention, if occasion called for it.' "'And it does, my child, it does!' exclaimed the Marchese; Heaven has re- served for you the glory of this sacrifice. Hear me, my beloved child. I now know all. You could not, my own Angelica, conceal the state of your heart from your mother. Gustave de Montmaure loves and has long loved you, and you re- turn that love.'

"'Oh! my mother,' cried Angelica, casting herself on her knees at the aide of her couch, 'pity and pardon thy daughter, if she have concealed for ones a thought of her heart from thee; but I never dared to contemplate disobedience. Thou hest long known Gustave—thou didst once love him, mother; and still I can recall thee, seated in the old chateau near Toulouse, watching us play to- gether, with thy own sweet smile of affection. I knew my mother hated his he- resy, but I knew she loved himself. I thought,' continued Angelica, in a broken voice, that a change might come—that your objections might be removed—and that at length you might bless our union.' " ' So I could have wished, my daughter; but we must not palter with duty: though the heart break, we must obey its voice.'

" told all to our reverend father, continued Angelica; 'I bade him at a fit- ting time lay bare my heart to yen.'

'And he has dune so, my child,' said the Marchese; 'and told me of your readiness to show the same dutiful obedience here as you have over done to me through life. My objections to the Count de Montmaure are entirely on religious grounds; but can there be stronger than these? There is no salvation out of the pale of the Catholic Church ; this noble but misguided man is not within it; and my daughter mast not dare to unite herself to heresy and schism.'

True, my beloved friend,' interposed the Jesuit; while he remains heretic and schismatical, the Signorina di Ripalta may not unite herself to the Count de Montmaure ; the Church most justly opposes these mixed marriages, for what fellowship hath light with darkness: but then this young man has been endowed with noble parts and faculties; he may be brought to recognize and adopt the truth, and may be arrested in the midst of his career by the same heavenly light which smote with conviction the dark and hardened soul of Paul of Tarsus.'

"'Oh yes! indeed he may, my dear father,' exclaimed Angelica, with a kind- ling look; 'the mind of Gustave is noble and inquiring: he will not rest content with the shallow creed of the Calvinist.'

"'Could I be assured of this change, all would he well; but that may not be. Angelica, my beloved daughter, thy mother's last hour is approaching. I would shake of from my mind all earthly cares and anxieties, even as my spirit will soon shake off this mortal coil. You will not deprive me of my only remaining earthly consolation? Swear, then, Angelica,' said the Marchese, raising horseN from her pillow and solemnly elevating her arm, swear to your dying mother, by the ever blessed Virgin, that you will never unite yourself in marriage with a heretic.'

"Overpowered by this unexpected appeal, and trembling with the violence of her contending feelings, Angelica tried to speak; bat utterance seemed denied her —her heart felt oppressed and ready to break. At length, overcome by this in- ternal straggle, she buried her face in her hands, and found relief in a flood of tears.

"'You do not swear,' said the Marchm, quickly; you do not reply. Ab! is it thus?'

"The Jesuit took the hand of Angelica, and led her a few steps aside.

" ' Comply, my daughter, with your dying mother's injunctions; grieve not her departing spirit: the Church hath provided for such cases; her dispensation MI absolve you from this oath.'

"Angelica cast at Verrone a surprised and terrified glance.

"'If it could, I would not dare to seek it,' said she. No, I make no reserve; you shall be obeyed, my beloved mother.' "Turning abruptly away from the Jesuit, and taking the cold hand of the Marches; Yes, I will give your pious soul that peace it seeks and merits.' "Then raising her beautiful arm solemnly, she said with a firm voice and up- turned eyes, 'I swear as you require, by the ever blessed Virgin, never to unite myself with a heretic!' Having uttered these words, she sank on her mother's breast ; who, clasping her in her wasted arms, blessed her with all the fervour of love and piety."

Perhaps some deficiency of structure may be felt from the man- ner in which the political interest dominates, and diverts the attention from the proper story of the tale. Yet, conspicuous as the politics are, they will scarcely satisfy the expectations of those who in a "Tale of the Italian Revolution" look to the later and more stirring events ; since Rome under the old regime of Gregory, the question of the Jesuits in Switzerland, and a very brief though stirring account of the Milan revolt and the campaign of Charles Albert against the Austrians, are the public events that are handled in Ernesto di Ripalta. The book, however, may be recommended as a true and philosophical view of politics and the great classes of political opinion in Italy, presented in the form of a tale, which is always readable and well sustained, often powerful and interest- ing.