Text: Anonymous, [Review of the Southern Literary Messenger for August 1835],” United States Telegraph (Washington, DC), vol. X, no. 316, December 5, 1835, p. 2, col. 5

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THE SOUTHERN MESSENGER.

In glancing our eyes over the numerous papers which are daily laid before us, in quest of matter appropriate to our own, they frequently light on notices of this periodical. To such things our peculiar avocations do not often afford us time to attend. We have only indulged our curiosity so far as to see that they are all commendatory; and we have laid aside papers with nothing more than a passing sense of pleasure at praises which indirectly redound to the honor of the honored home of our fathers. Of late, such notices have so frequently engaged our attention, that we at last deter. mined, for once, to play the truant, and an attentive perusal to the next number have just laid down that for December, after, experiencing a pleasure in the perusal, for which we feel inclined to make such return as we can.

In our judgment this number deserves all praise that has been bestowed upon the work and this remark we particularly apply to certain articles, of which we constrained to judge by the specimens given. We speak of the “Tripoline Sketches” and “Lionel Granby.” If the preceding parts of these works are of equal merit with those before us, they have not been praised too highly. We are sorry that we cannot exactly include the “Mexican Journal” in the same category. It is well enough.

The address of Mr. Lucian Minor before Institute of Education of Hampden Sydney College, is a paper of very great merit. confess that we have not full faith in the efficacy of Mr. M's panacea for the distempers of State; partly because we are afraid the patient cannot be got to take enough of it to do good; and partly because we are not sure would not meet with somewhat in his stomach what medical men call incompatible substances,” which might neutralise or decompose or turn it to poison. But we leave these things to the political doctors, and are content record our praise and thanks for the strong sense and manly frankness displayed by Mr. calling boldly on the people to secure deserve the blessings of freedom by qualifying themselves for self-government.

The literary notices in this number are high piquant and amusing. We do not agree with the reviewer in condemning every thing under the name of a “Review,” to which that name, in its strictest sense, does not properly apply. He who under this name gives an say on the subject of the article professed to reviewed, does not break faith with the public, because, for more than thirty years, the word has. been understood to include such essays. Now he who gives a good essay, gives a good thing; and when he does this, still keeping within the spirit and meaning of his engagement, we have no right, nor mind to complain.

There is an occasional severity in some these strictures which we highly approve. Not that we presume to decide on the justice the judgments pronounced. We have not read the works; but judgment must be followed by execution; and the critic is his own executioner. The self-sufficiency of authors cares nothing for praise. They rarely receive so much as comes up to their own estimate of their merits. To make them value it, they should put in fear of censure. The number of works reviewed in this monthly periodical, shows how much the cacoethes scribendi needs be restrained. We dare not flatter ourselves even half the praise bestowed is due, except according to a very low standard of excellence. When a very high place in the scale awarded to a “bad imitation” of Walter Scott's “worst manner,” the scale cannot be graduated very far above temperate.” There be no such thing as blood heat, or fever heat, upon it.

The longest of the metrical pieces, indeed, deserves less lenient treatment, and we shall Mr. White a service, by defending him from future contributions of one whom he may choose to offend. We mean the author of “The Dream.” In this, there is no one poetical thought, at first, or second hand. The verse smooth, for the writer has a good ear; but ideas are dull prose. To make the matter Worse, it in a palpable imitation; not larcenous, indeed; for there is no attempt at concealment: so that it is more of the nature of a mere trespass. But it is an undisguised imitation of Byron! and what is worse, of Byron's wonderful poem “The Dream!!!” It is an imitation as a boy would make who should paint a rose with pokeberry-juice.

We were disappointed in a Dramatic Extract” from the pen of Mr. Edgar A. Poe. He had taught us to expect much, for his prose is often high wrought poetry: but his poetry prose, not in thought, but in measure. This is a defect of ear alone, which can only be corrected by more study than the thing is worth. As he has a large interest in all the praise that we have bestowed on the Messenger, we hope he will take this slight hint as kindly as it is meant.