∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Literary.
The Southern Quarterly Review has always held respectable rank among its cotemporaries, and all the best names of southern literature are associated with its pages. For a time, owing to lukewarmness on the part of those who should have made a point of supporting it, its publication was discontinued, and we believe that the public is indebted to Mr. D. K. Whittaker, its present editor, for its revival. Its stability will be assured for the future, we presume, if on o other ground than that of the absolute need which the South has of some such organ, in the present aspect of her political affairs. The editor was in this city, a short time ago, engaged, we believe, in enlisting contributors for the work.
The number for January, 1845, has been placed before us, and puts us in mind of some of the issues of the palmiest days of the Review. The first paper is “Education in Europe,”thoughtfully treated by the editor himself, and brimfull of valuable suggestions. The second is “The Sieur de la Salle,” by D. D. De Bow. The third is “The Literature of the Bible,” by the Rev. Dr. Hamilton, of Mobile. The fourth is the “Life and Writings of Rabelais,” an article of rich interest, by G. Frederick Holmes. The fifth is one of the always admirable compositions of the Hon. Alex. H. Everett; it is “La Havane,” printed in an advertisement La Havane. The sixth is the “Works of Wilhelm Hauff,” by Miss M. E. Lee — a paper of more than usual merit. The seventh is “Mrs. Gray's History of Etruria,” by G. Frederick Holmes.” [[sic]] The eighth and last is “Memories of Aaron Burr,” by the Hon. B. F. Porter, of Tuscaloosa. — This is a well-written review, and embraces some novel conceptions of the extraordinary man of whom it treats.
Maunder's Treasury of History. — We have received the second number of this publication; the first having been issued at the commencement of the year. The idea is to afford in a single book of no very formidable dimensions, and at a price which brings it within the reach of very moderate circumstances, a sufficient outline of the world's whole history, with similar outlines of the history of each individual people. The historian gives first a general sketch of the rise and progress of nations, with their influences one upon the other — secondly, a digest of all absolutely necessary to known by the general reader respecting each — thus bringing the salient points of history within a manageable compass, and laying a solid and safe foundation for future superstructures. The work is published by Daniel Adee, 107 Fulton Street, new York. It will be completed in 12 octavos, at 25 cents each.
Kinne's Quarterly Law Compendium. — ASA KINNE, Esq., very favorably known as the author of numerous legal works which tend to simplify the science, and which have received warm approbation from those whose approbation is of most value, has issued the first number of a series, the object of which is distinctly explained by the title: — “Kinne's Quarterly Law Compendium, or digest of Cases reported in the United States and Great Britain in 1843, 1844, and 1845; alphabetically arranged; being an Appendix to Kinne's Law Compendium.” A number containing 64 pages will be issued every three months; price one dollar per year. Address Asa Kinne, Astor House, N. Y.
The Orion. — Supplement to the fourth volume. — By a pamphlet thus entitled we learn that the Southern Monthly called the Orion, which has been for some time suspended, will now be merged in a new Magazine, to be entitled “The Southern and Western Monthly Magazine and Review,” and to be edited by W. G. Simms. We must be permitted to doubt, however, whether he has been at all concerned in selecting the name of the new journal. “The Southern and Western Monthly Magazine and Review” is assuredly a speech if anything. But apart from the mere matter of “linked sweetness long drawn out,” the words in question are no more a proper name for the work intended, than man is a proper name for the individual biped without feathers.
P. S. The first number of “The Southern and Western Monthly Magazine and Review” has come to hand, and contains some very excellent papers — among which those of the editor are the best.
Littell's Living Age. — We have received Nos. 37 and 38 of this well edited and entertaining work, and find them, as usual, abundant in good things judiciously selected from the best of the periodical literature of Great Britain. Burgess, Stringer & Co., New York.
Marsh's Address. — M. W. Dodd, Brick Church Chapel, opposite the City Hall, New York, has favored us with a copy of the excellent Address lately delivered before the New England Society of this city on occasion of the recent anniversary of the Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. The orator was Geo. P. Marsh, and the address is worthy of his ability.
Prescott's Ferdinand and Isabella. — We are indebted to the Messrs. Harpers for a copy of the tenth edition of Prescott's inimitable history — a work which has done more, perhaps, than any other single American book to elevate the character of our literature, and give us caste in Europe. How universally it has been greeted with applause as an original, impartial, comprehensive and elegant history — elegant yet forcible — it is quite unnecessary for us to say. If ever work of the kind was firmly based in te good opinion on the subject, it is the “Ferdinand and Isabella.”
In external appearance these three beautifully printed volumes are every thing that can be desired. To every library the work is an essential item.
The Broadway Journal for last week is overflowing with good things in the shape of sound and pungent criticism, notices of the Fine Arts, and racy editorial and contributed matter in general. It is a frank, bold, nervous, [column 3:] discriminative and altogether excellent journal.
RESEARCHES ON SCROFULOUS DISEASES. — One of our most able and best-read medical men is DR. SIDNEY DOANE, lately Health Officer of the Port of New York. He has lately given the public a translation of the above-named tract, from the French of Lugol, a celebrated physician. It contains much new information on this very important topic, and forms a most valuable addition to medical literature.
MARTIN’S BIBLE. — We have received the first number of the handsomest Bible in the world — now being published in numbers by Robert Martin, of John street. Its wonderful cheapness, combined with its splendor of type and embellishment, makes it a most desirable purchase.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Notes:
These items were attributed to Poe, with some disagreements, by W. D. Hull and T. O. Mabbott. Mabbott's notes at the University of Iowa give the notices of Prescott, Maunder and Kinne as “prob” and of The Broadway Journal as “prob. . . almost sure.” For the notice of “The Orion,” Mabbott says “All the notices are perhaps Poe's, but this one has his quote, linked sweetness, and also biped without feathers allusion.” (The “linked sweetness” reference carries Mabbott's note “Milton of Aristidean,” apparently a reference to T. D. English's magazine of that name.) All of these notices are also attributed by Hull: Littell's as “perhaps Poe's”; Marsh as “Here one finds even less to go on, it also may be Poe's”; Prescott as “Again, with no grounds but internal evidence, I feel convinced that Poe is the author of this notice, as of the next” the next being The Broadway Journal; Maunder as “Again I have no doubt that this is from Poe's pen”; and Kinne as “so thoroughly characteristic of Poe that I assign it to him without hesitation.” Hull also adds “Southern Quarterly Review” as “This notice I consider Poe's.” For the notice of “The Orion,” Hull says, “With some confidence, I give this also to Poe.” The notices of Scrofulous Diseases and Martin's Bible are attributed to Poe by Hull as “may be Poe's.” Neither of these last two notices are mentioned by Mabbott. None of the reviews are mentioned by Heartman & Canny.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
[S:0 - NYEM, 1845] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - Criticism - Literary Notices (E. A. Poe ?, 1845)