Part 14
"To show us how divine a thing A woman may be made."--Wordsworth.
"This story illustrates, with feeling and power, that beneficial influence which women exercise, in their own quiet way, over characters and events in our every-day life."--_Britannia._
"The book is one of more than ordinary interest in various ways, and presents an admirable conception of the depths and sincerity of female friendship, as exhibited in England by Englishwomen."--_Weekly Chronicle._
"We began to read the volume late in the evening; and although it consists of about 400 pages, our eyes could not close in sleep until we had read the whole. This excellent book should find a place on every drawing-room table--nay, in every library in the kingdom."--_Bucks Chronicle._
"We congratulate Miss Aguilar on the spirit, motive, and composition of this story. Her aims are eminently moral, and her cause comes recommended by the most beautiful associations. These, connected with the skill here evinced in their development, ensure the success of her labours."--_Illustrated News._
"As a writer of remarkable grace and delicacy, she devoted herself to the inculcation of the virtues, more especially those which are the peculiar charm of women."--_Critic._
"It is a book for all classes of readers; and we have no hesitation in saying, that it only requires to be generally known to become exceedingly popular. In our estimation, it has far more attractions than Miss Burney's celebrated, but over-estimated, novel of 'Cecilia.'"--_Herts County Press._
"This very interesting and agreeable tale has remained longer without notice on our part than we could have desired; but we would now endeavour to make amends for the delay, by assuring our readers that it is a most ably-written publication, full of the nicest points of information and utility that could have been by any possibility constructed; and, as a proof of its value, it may suffice to say, that it has been taken from our table again and again by several individuals, from the recommendation of those who had already perused it, and so prevented our giving an earlier attention to its manifold claims for favourable criticism. It is peculiarly adapted for the young, and wherever it goes will be received with gratification, and command very extensive approbation."--_Bell's Weekly Messenger._
"This is a handsome volume; just such a book as we would expect to find among the volumes composing a lady's library. Its interior corresponds with its exterior; it is a most fascinating tale, full of noble and just sentiments."--_Palladium._
IV.
_Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated, price 5s._,
THE VALE OF CEDARS;
OR,
The Martyr.
A STORY OF SPAIN IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.
By GRACE AGUILAR.
"The authoress of this most fascinating volume has selected for her field one of the most remarkable eras in modern history--the reigns of Ferdinand and Isabella. The tale turns on the extraordinary extent to which concealed Judaism had gained footing at that period in Spain. It is marked by much power of description, and by a woman's delicacy of touch, and it will add to its writer's well-earned reputation."--_Eclectic Review._
"The scene of this interesting tale is laid during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. The Vale of Cedars is the retreat of a Jewish family, compelled by persecution to perform their religious rites with the utmost secrecy. On the singular position of this fated race in the most Catholic land of Europe, the interest of the tale mainly depends; whilst a few glimpses of the horrors of the terrible Inquisition are afforded the reader, and heighten the interest of the narrative."--_Sharpe's Magazine._
"Anything which proceeds from the pen of the authoress of this volume is sure to command attention and appreciation. There is so much of delicacy and refinement about her style, and such a faithful delineation of nature in all she attempts, that she has taken her place amongst the highest class of modern writers of fiction. We consider this to be one of Miss Aguilar's best efforts."--_Bell's Weekly Messenger._
"We heartily commend the work to our readers as one exhibiting, not merely talent, but genius, and a degree of earnestness, fidelity to nature, and artistic grace rarely found."--_Herts County Press._
"The 'Vale of Cedars' is indeed one of the most touching and interesting stories that have ever issued from the press. There is a life-like reality about it, which is not often observed in works of this nature; while we read it we felt as if we were witnesses of the various scenes it depicts."--_Bucks Chronicle._
"It is a tale of deep and pure devotion, very touchingly narrated."--_Atlas._
"The authoress has already received our commendation; her present work is calculated to sustain her reputation."--_Illustrated News._
"It is indeed a historical romance of a high class. Seeing how steady and yet rapid was her improvement--how rich the promise of her genius--it is impossible to close this notice of her last and best work, without lamenting that the authoress was so untimely snatched from a world she appeared destined, as certainly she was singularly qualified, to adorn and to improve."--_Critic._
V.
_Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated with Frontispiece and Vignette, price 6s._,
THE DAYS OF BRUCE;
A Story from Scottish History.
By GRACE AGUILAR.
"We have had an opportunity of observing the interest it awakens in different classes of readers, and in no instance has it failed to rivet attention, and to induce a high estimate of the author's powers. Miss Aguilar was evidently well read in the times of Bruce. It is long since we met with a work which combines so happily the best qualities of historical fiction."--_Eclectic Review._
"The life of the hero of Bannockburn has furnished matter for innumerable tales in prose and verse, but we have met with no records of that famous era so instructive as 'The Days of Bruce.'"--_Britannia._
"'The Days of Bruce' was written when, in the vigour of intellectual strength, Grace Aguilar was planning many things, and all for good; it was we know her especial favourite: it is full of deep interest."--_Mrs. S. C. Hall, in Sharpe's Magazine._
"It is a volume which may be considered as solid history, but is nevertheless entertaining as the most charming novel ever produced by genius. Sir Walter Scott's name as an author would not have been disgraced by it had it appeared on the title-page instead of Grace Aguilar."--_Bucks Chronicle._
"This deeply interesting romance--a composition of great eloquence, written with practised polish and enthusiastic energy. We are not surprised at the elegance, the warmth, and the pathos with which Grace Aguilar paints love passages; but we are astonished at the fire and accuracy with which she depicts scenes of daring and of death."--_Observer._
"The tale is well told, the interest warmly sustained throughout, and the delineation of female character is marked by a delicate sense of moral beauty. It is a work that may be confided to the hands of a daughter by her parent."--_Court Journal._
"Every one who knows the works of this lamented author, must observe that she rises with her subjects. In 'The Days of Bruce' she has thrown herself into the rugged life of the fourteenth century, and has depicted the semi-civilization of the period in a manner that is quite marvellous in a young woman. Grace Aguilar always excelled in her delineation of female characters, while the skill she evinces in the illustration of the historical personages, and her individualization of the imaginary ones, might at once entitle her to a birthplace among historical novelists."--_Ladies Companion._
"Her pen was ever devoted to the cause of virtue; and her various publications, exhibiting the beauties and enforcing the practice of the 'tender charities' of domestic life, have, we doubt not, recommended themselves to the hearts of numbers of her countrywomen. The work before us differs from the former publications of its author, inasmuch as it is in fact an historical romance, for this species of writing the high feeling of Grace Aguilar peculiarly fitted her; many of the scenes are very highly wrought; and while it will fix in the reader's mind a truthful idea of the history and style of manners of 'The Days of Bruce,' it will also impress upon him a strong sense of the ability and noble cast of thought which distinguished its lamented author."--_Englishwoman's Magazine._
GRACE AGUILAR'S WORKS
"We look upon 'The Days of Bruce' as an elegantly-written and interesting romance, and place it by the side of Miss Porter's Scottish Chiefs."--_Gentleman's Magazine._
"A very pleasing and successful attempt to combine ideal delineation of character with the records of history. Very beautiful and very true are the portraits of the female mind and heart which Grace Aguilar knew how to draw. This is the chief charm of all her writings, and in 'The Days of Bruce' the reader will have the pleasure of viewing this skilful portraiture in the characters of Isoline and Agnes, and Isabella of Buchan."--_Literary Gazette._
"What a fertile mind was that of Grace Aguilar! What an early development of reflection, of feeling, of taste, of power of invention, of true and earnest eloquence! 'The Days of Bruce' is a composition of her early youth, but full of beauty. Grace Aguilar knew the female heart better than any writer of our day, and in every fiction from her pen we trace the same masterly analysis and development of the motives and feelings of woman's nature. 'The Days of Bruce' possesses also the attractions of an extremely interesting story, that absorbs the attention, and never suffers it to flag till the last page is closed, and then the reader will lay down the volume with regret."--_Critic._
VI.
_Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated with Frontispiece, price 5s._,
HOME SCENES & HEART STUDIES.
Tales.
By GRACE AGUILAR.
The Perez Family. The Stone-cutter's Boy of Possagno. Amete and Yafeh. The Fugitive. The Edict; a Tale of 1492. The Escape; a Tale of 1755. Red Rose Villa. Gonzalvo's Daughter. The Authoress. Helon. Lucy. The Spirit's Entreaty. Idalie. Lady Gresham's Fete. The Group of Sculpture. The Spirit of Night. The Recollections of a Rambler. Cast thy Bread upon the Waters. The Triumph of Love.
VII.
_Second Edition, in Two Volumes, Foolscap 8vo, price 10s._,
THE WOMEN OF ISRAEL;
Or, Characters and Sketches from the Holy Scriptures, illustrative of the past History, present Duties, and future Destiny of Hebrew Females, as based on the Word of God.
By GRACE AGUILAR.
Principal Contents of the Work.
First Period--Wives of the Patriarchs.
Eve. Sarah. Rebekah. Leah and Rachel.
Second Period--The Exodus and the Law.
Egyptian Captivity, and Jochebed. The Exodus--Mothers of Israel. Laws for Wives in Israel. Laws for Widows and Daughters in Israel. Maid Servants in Israel, and other Laws.
Third Period--Between the Delivery of the Law and the Monarchy.
Miriam. Tabernacle Workers--Caleb's Daughter. Deborah. Wife of Manoah. Naomi. Hannah.
Fourth Period--The Monarchy.
Michal. Abigail. Wise Woman of Tekoah. Woman of Abel. Rispah. Prophet's Widow. The Shunamite. Little Israelitish Maid. Huldah.
Fifth Period--Babylonian Captivity.
The Captivity. Review of Book of Ezra. Suggestions as to the Identity of the Ahasuerus of Scripture. Esther. Review of Events narrated in Ezra and Nehemiah.
Sixth Period--Continuance of the Second Temple.
Review of Jewish History, from the Return from Babylon to the Appeal of Hyrcanus and Aristobulus to Pompey. Jewish History from the Appeal to Pompey to the Death of Herod. Jewish History from the Death of Herod to the War. The Martyr Mother. Alexandra. Mariamne. Salome. Helena. Berenice.
Seventh Period--Women of Israel in the Present as influenced by the Past.
The War and Dispersion. Thoughts on the Talmud. Talmudic Ordinances & Tales. Effects of Dispersion and Persecution. General Remarks.
"A work that is sufficient of itself to create and crown a reputation."--_Pilgrimages to English Shrines, by Mrs. S. C. Hall._
London: GROOMBRIDGE & SONS, 5, Paternoster Row.
GRACE AGUILAR'S WORKS.
NEW EDITIONS, ILLUSTRATED.
I. HOME INFLUENCE.
A TALE FOR MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS.
Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated, Price 5_s._
II. THE MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE.
A SEQUEL TO "HOME INFLUENCE."
Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated, Price 6_s._
III. WOMAN'S FRIENDSHIP.
A STORY OF DOMESTIC LIFE.
Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated, Price 5_s._
IV. THE VALE OF CEDARS.
A STORY OF SPAIN IN THE 15th CENTURY.
Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated, Price 5_s._
V. THE DAYS OF BRUCE.
A STORY FROM SCOTTISH HISTORY.
Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated, Price 6_s._
VI. HOME SCENES AND HEART STUDIES.
TALES.
Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated, Price 5_s._
VII. THE WOMEN OF ISRAEL.
Two Vols., fcap. 8vo, Price 10_s._
London: GROOMBRIDGE & SONS, 5, Paternoster Row.
* * * * *
Transcriber Note
Illustrations were moved so as to not split paragraphs. Minor typos corrected. Most hyphenation (or lack thereof) retained as printed.