above the age of nineteen, yet it has the sober sense of middle age.
There is no age nor sex that will not profit by its perusal, and it
will afford as much pleasure as profit to the reader."--_Critic._
"The same kindly spirit, the same warm charity and fervour of
devotion which breathes in every line of that admirable book, 'Home
Influence,' will be found adorning and inspiring 'The Mother's
Recompense.'"--_Morning Advertiser._
"The good which she (Grace Aguilar) has effected is acknowledged
on all hands, and it cannot be doubted but that the appearance of
this volume will increase the usefulness of one who may yet be said
to be still speaking to the heart and to the affections of human
nature."--_Bell's Messenger._
"It will be found an interesting supplement, not only to the book
to which it specially relates, but to all the writer's other
works."--_Gentleman's Magazine._
"'The Mother's Recompense' forms a fitting close to its predecessor,
'Home Influence.' The results of maternal care are fully developed,
its rich rewards are set forth, and its lesson and its moral are
powerfully enforced."--_Morning Post._
"We heartily commend this volume; a better or more useful present to a
youthful friend or a young wife could not well be selected."--_Herts
County Press._
III.
_Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated, price 5s._,
WOMAN'S FRIENDSHIP;
A STORY OF DOMESTIC LIFE.
By GRACE AGUILAR.
"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.