Text: William Jerdan (?), Literary Gazette and Journal of the Belles Lettres (London, UK), series for 1845, whole no. 1490, August 9, 1845, p. 528, col. 3

[page 528, column 3, continued:]

THERE is considerable interest in these Tales, the plots of most of them partaking of mysterious ingredients, and, where the ground is laid in America, the local descriptions being ably written. The style is not disfigured by any gross Yankeeisms, but blemished by some common instances. For example, we are told that the chief amusements of a person were “gunning and fishing.” Now we cannot see why it should not be shooting and fishing; or, if they will say gunning, why, it should be all of a piece, and “gunning and rodding” the expression. In spite of such trifling defects, the volume will be read with satisfaction to amuse the vacant hour.