Text: Anonymous, [Review of The Gift for 1836], Charleston Daily Courier (Charleston, SC), October 21, 1835, vol. XXXIII, whole no. 11,302, p. 2, col. 2

[page 2, column 2, continued:]

The Gift. — This is indeed a gem among the Annuals. Its exterior presents a rich specimen of ornamental binding; and its interior unfolds the varied charms of neat typography, exquisite engraving, and intellectual matter of decided merit, served up in both graceful prose and harmonious verse. The editor is the lively and accomplished Miss LESLIE, whose “Pencil Sketches” have already made her known, as a skilful limner of character and manners, and whose talent for humorous delineation, is satisfactorily vouched by “Mrs. WASHINGTON POTTS.” Among her gifted contributors are Miss SEDGWICK, Mrs. SIGOURNEY, WASHINGTON IRVING, SIMMS, PAULDING, EDGAR, [[sic]] A. POE, and W. L. STONE — names well known to literature and poesy. “The unpresuming Mr. HUDSON,” is quite a jeu de esprit, from Miss SEDGWICK'S graceful pen; the “Manuscript found in a Bottle,” is an extravaganza, somewhat of the terrific order, by EDGAR A. POE, whose eccentric genius delights in the creation of strange possibilities, and in making a play thing of science, and whose fanciful aim, in the production under consideration, seems to be to give the credulous well bottled proof of Capt. SYMMES' theory of polar apertures and concentric circles; “A Pennsylvania Tale,” by PAULDING, is an agreeable legend of Quakerism, in which GEORGE FOX and WILLIAM PENN are introduced, and the latter is made the benign wire-worker of the love portion of the tale to a happy consummation; “The Language of Flowers,” by WM. L. STONE, is a very successful hit, on the part of that veteran of the press, in which the celebrated, or rather the famous MARGARET MONCRIEFFE, an accomplished Officer in the British service, contrives to be made a captive by the Americans, and plays the part of a spy, communicating intelligence to the enemy, by means of the language of flowers, until the sagacity of BURR, then an Aid of PUTNAM, detects and exposes her to the unsuspecting General; “The Eutaw Maid,” of SIMMS, adorns the poetical department, which is enriched with a variety of other gems; and Miss LESLIE herself contributes in “The Serenades,” a spice of her characteristic and buoyant humor. The Engravings, we have already pronounced exquisite; and this praise is due especially to the portrait of “FANNY KEMBLE,” an excellent likeness, as we can personally testify, giving the fair original to the life, in the charm of expression, the eloquence of intellectual beauty — this admirable specimen of art is engraved by J. CHENEY, from a painting by T. SULLY. “The Orphans,” by WOOD, engraved by WELCH, appeal strongly to the heart through the sense of sight. “Soliciting a Vote,” by BUSS, engraved by ELLIS, is a humorous exhibition of aristocracit obsequiousness and democratic insolence. “JOHN ANDERSON MY JO,” by KID, engraved by LAWSON, gives a pleasing portraiture of that ancient domestic worthy, and his loving mate, with cat and dog lying in emulous harmony at their feet; and “The Death of the Stag,” by LANDSEER, engraved by TUCKER, is quite a spirited representation of that crowning work of the hunter's toil, amid the scenery of the Scottish Highlands. Miss LESLIE has made a successful debut, and ushered forth a volume, from the press of CAREY & HART, Philadelphia, which may, without scruple, be presented as friendship's or affection's offering, at the Christmas festival, or the opening of the New Year. Our editorial thanks for “The Gift,” are due to Messrs. S. Babcock & Co.