Brampton Rectory, or the Lesson of Life,is a religious tale,
designed to uphold the doctrines of the Church of England, and the practical views of true Churchmen, equally against High Church and Low Church, the Tractarians and the Evangelicals. Mr. Oswald, Rector of Brampton, and his family, are the living exemplars of this juste-milieu; and after va- rious occurrences common to daily life, and discussions thereupon, Mr. Oswald ends by bringing round some of the principal persons in Bramp- ton Rectory to his religious views, which in the main are those of the late Dr. Arnold.
There is not much of action or incident in this book ; but there is a great deal of nice observation of life and character, set off by thought and re- flection. The sketch of the Tractarians taking up medireval art as a new thing, and making religion a fashion, is good ; though the picture, we think, is taken from the worst point of view. The Evangelicals are painted with more knowledge and more truth—thoroughly. Their narrow horizon, their uncharitable opinions on all beyond the pale, their ex- aggerated notions on sin and regeneration, with their substitution of theoretical religion for practical duties, are exhibited in a quiet and truthful manner, that argues a close observation of the sect. All the dramatis personm, indeed, are delineated with great nicety and distinct- ness, without degenerating into mere painting for painting's sake. Brampton Rectory contains more knowledge of life, and for more of thought and composition, than are exhibited in many three-volume novels.
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