Skip to Content
Indiana University

Search Options




View Options

[Hide Table of Contents]
Vivia, or, The secret of power. Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte, (1819–1899).
Requires cookie*[Print]
no previous
next
page: 17 (Advertisement) [View Page 17 (Advertisement) ]

VIVIA;

OR, THE SECRET OF POWER.

BY MRS. EMMA D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH.

AUTHOR OF "LOST HEIRESS," "DESERTED WIFE," "MISSING BRIDE," "INDIA," "WIFE'S VICTORY," "RETRIBUTION," "DISCARDED DAUGHTER," "CURSE OF CLIFTON," ETC., ETC.

Complete in one large volume, neatly bound in cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five Cents; or in two volumes, paper cover, for One Dollar.

IT seems the aspiration of Mrs. Southworth, ever to rise from excellence to excellence, and to make each succeeding work superior to all that have preceded it; and, as she generally succeeds, her last work is, in almost every case, her best.

In striking originality and beauty of conception, and strength and vividness of delineation, as well as in her peculiar power of fascinating the minds and hearts of her readers, Mrs. Southworth stands alone. In what work of fiction, for instance, have we ever met a character so original, piquant and captivating as her inimitable Hagar, that child of passion and imagination, in the Deserted Wife; the bewitching elf, Jacquelina, in the Missing Bride; or the heroic and devoted Kate Kavanagh in the Curse of Clifton.

But in her latest work Vivia, or The Secret of Power, the authoress has excelled herself. Vivia, the heroine, is a beautiful, gifted and inspiring maiden, whose presence is a life-giving power to all within her sphere: whose influence, like magic, or rather like grace, developes the better nature of all with whom she is brought in contact—so redeeming, elevating and inspiring is her benignant influence upon the dreaming girl-artist Theodora, and the poor, but gifted and inspiring peasant boy Wakefield. Her "Secret of Power" consists in her realizing FAITH in the goodness, wisdom and efficiency, latent in every human creature made in the likeness of the Creator; in her sympathetic CHARITY, that leads her to seek and draw forth page: 18-19 (Advertisement) [View Page 18-19 (Advertisement) ] these hidden treasures in all souls; and in her animating HOPE, that assures her of victory. With these spiritual agencies of Faith, Charity, and Hope, she overcomes in herself and in others, the fearful powers of the World, the Flesh and the Devil. Like her Divine Master, she comes to bring light to the darkened, hope to the despairing, and strength to the weak. Whenever in the narrative she appears, it is as if a sun-burst lighted up the scene. It would be impossible within this short limit to give a fair idea of the character of this work. In the first chapter the interest of the reader is powerfully aroused, and it is kept keenly alive to the close of the volume. The story opens with the description of a snow storm on the Alleghanies, through which the bright and beautiful orphan, alone or attended only by her dog, wanders down the fearful passes towards the valley, endeavoring to reach the mansion where her grandfather, Colonel Malmaison, (who had ten years before discarded her father,) lies dying and penitent, and praying to see his orphaned grand-daughter. But in the twofold darkness of night and storm, the wandering child loses her way, and chances to reach a lone convent, where she seeks refuge and is kindly received and comforted by the nuns.

The description of the winter evening in the convent, the pale, beautiful Abbess Agatha, the sweet Novice Angela, and the gentle sisterhood, is highly interesting and unique. In the delineations of convent life, in this work, the authoress draws from a life-long acquaintance with these retreats, and her fidelity and impartiality of description may be relied on with more safety than that of any sectarian writer for, or against these institutions. The scene of the death of Colonel Malmaison, on the night of the storm, where the late repentance of the father is rendered futile by the drugs of the fell watcher—the remorseless Ada Malmaison, is replete with thrilling interest; as indeed is the whole work, which we heartily commend to the favor of the reader.

Copies of either edition of "Vivia" will be sent to any part of the United States, free of postage, on remitting the price of the edition any one may wish, to the publisher, in a letter.

Published and for sale at the Cheap Book and Publishing Establishment of T. B. PETERSON, No. 102 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

To whom all orders should come addressed.

For a list of Mrs. Southworth's Works, read the following pages.

MRS. SOUTHWORTH'S WORKS.

T. B. PETERSON also publishes a complete and uniform edition of Mrs. Southworth's works, any one or all of which will be sent to any place in the United States, free of postage, on receipt of remittances. The following are their names:

  • INDIA. THE PEARL OF PEARL RIVER. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents.
    • "Mrs. Southworth is the first female writer of America, beyond the shadow of a doubt."—N. Y. Weekly Dispatch.
    • "She is a writer of genius and originality, and has no superior in depicting character and scenery."—Buffalo Courier.
  • RETRIBUTION; OR, THE VALE OF SHADOWS. A Tale of Passion. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for $1.25.
    • "In power of description she has no superior."—Baltimore Republican & Argus.
    • "She is an authoress of great merit."—N. O. Courant.
  • THE LOST HEIRESS. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Being a splendid picture of American Life; every body admiring and applauding it as a master production. Complete in two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or in one volume, cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents.
    • "All will agree that Mrs. Southworth is the best American writer of the age."—Philadelphia Merchant.
    • "A writer of great genius and originality."—Saturday Courier.
  • THE MISSING BRIDE; OR, MIRIAM, THE AVENGER. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for $1.25.
    • "She is a woman of brilliant genius."—Olive Branch.
    • "She is one of the most original and talented of living female writers."—Public Ledger.
  • THE WIFE'S VICTORY; AND NINE OTHER NOUVELLETTES. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. It is embellished with a view of Prospect Cottage, the residence of the author, as well as a view of Brotherton Hall. Complete in two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for $1.25.
    • "She is the best fiction writer in the country."—Buffalo Express.
    • "We always read her creations with great pleasure."—Sunday News.
  • THE CURSE OF CLIFTON. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Complete in two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents.
    • "Her pictures of life are vivid and truthful."—Sunday Times.
    • "Her scenes stand out in bold relief—like a splendid painting from a skillful artist."—Philadelphia Advertiser.
  • page: 20 (Advertisement) [View Page 20 (Advertisement) ]
  • THE DISCARDED DAUGHTER. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents.
    • "The author holds a vigorous pen."—Baltimore American.
  • THE DESERTED WIFE. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Complete in two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents.

The whole of Mrs. Southworth's Works are also published in a very fine style, bound in the very best and most elegant and substantial manner, in full Crimson, with beautifully gilt edges, full gilt sides, gilt backs, etc., etc., making them the best and most acceptable books for presentation, at the price, published in the country. Price of either one in this style, Two Dollars.

IN PRESS, AND WILL BE SHORTLY PUBLISHED.

  • HICKORY HALL. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Complete in two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents.
  • THE MOTHER-IN-LAW; OR, THE ISLE OF RAYS. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Complete in two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for $1.25.
  • SHANNONDALE. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Complete in two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents.
  • THE SISTERS. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Complete in two volumes, paper cover. Price One Dollar; or bound in one volume, cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents.

Copies of either edition of any of Mrs. Southworth's Works, will be sent to any person, to any part of the United States, free of postage, on their remitting the price of whatever works they may wish, to the publisher, in a letter post-paid.

Published and for Sale by T. B. PETERSON, No. 102 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

page: 21 (Illustration) - (TitlePage) [View Page 21 (Illustration) - (TitlePage) ]

[View Figure]

VIVIA AND HER LOVER IN THE GARDEN.

VIVIA; OR, THE SECRET OF POWER.

BY

MRS. EMMA D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH.

AUTHOR OF "THE LOST HEIRESS," "INDIA," "MISSING BRIDE," "CURSE OF CLIFTON," "WIFE'S VICTORY," "DESERTED WIFE," ETC. Thine is a high and holy work of love, And thou an angel's happiness shalt know; Shalt bless the earth while in the world above; The good begun by thee shall onward go In many a branching stream, and wider flow. —Charles Wilcox.

Philadelphia: T. B. PETERSON, NO. 102 CHESTNUT STREET.

page: 23-24[View Page 23-24]

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by T. B. PETERSON, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

TO
HORACE H. DAY,
Of New York City,
THE FRIEND AND WORKER
IN THE
CAUSE OF GOOD AND TRUTH,
"Vivia"
IS RESPECTFULLY OFFERED,
BY

EMMA D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH

PROSPECT COTTAGE, GEORGETOWN, D. C., February 28th, 1857.
page: 25 (Table of Contents) [View Page 25 (Table of Contents) ]

CONTENTS.

no previous
next