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[page 220, column 1, continued:]
THE MAGAZINES.
GRAHAM’S MAGAZINE. — The April number of “Graham” has in its Table of Contents some very well known names — those of Mrs. Osgood, for example, Mrs. Sigourney, Mrs. Embury, Mrs. Seba Smith, “Fanny Forrester,” Grund, Landor, Robert Motris, and several others. Mrs. Osgood contributes the best poem she has yet written — a more exquisitely graceful thing (Grace is Mrs. Osgood's queendom in which she reigns triumphant) we have rarely if ever seen. Mr. Robert Morris, also, has a sweet poem of great pathos, called “The Toilers.” [column 2:] The best prose papers, we think, are those of Grund and Landor — although, in general, the contributions are either good in themselves, or meritorious in their adaptation to the tone and purpose of the Magazine. With a less objectionable form, “Graham's Magazine” would have long ago taken a station with the most elevated and influential journals.
The most interesting feature in this number, to merely literary people, is the Critical Biography of General Morris, whose worst fault is that he has a habit of making too many and too devoted friends, who now and then do Lim injury by permitting their personal feelings to appear above the current of their critical opinion. We really believe that but for this fault in the General he would have attained even a higher rank in the literary world than he actually possesses. The dogged determination to praise him at all hazards will, for example, in this very Biography induce very many persons to perpetrate injustice not against the biographer (whom we should not care to see abused) but against the poet himself. Moreover the nature of that merit which is peculiarly General Morris’ own, has a tendency to increase the evil effect on which we comment — for this merit is that of rich and vigorous simplicity — a quality of all others in the world the least likely to be estimated at its full value. The world are too apt to think the critic guilty of exaggeration in praising with enthusiasm that which (however effective) appears to be easy of execution; — and simplicity has always this air. Yet of one thousand persons who should attempt to compose anything in the manner of the following truly admirable stanzas, nine hundred and ninety-nine would fail miserably in the undertaking.
THE STAR OF LOVE.
The star of love now shines above,
Cool zephyrs crisp the sea;
Among the leaves the wind-harp weaves
Its serenade for thee.
The star, the breeze, the wave, the trees,
Their minstrelsy unite,
But all are drear till thou appear
To decorate the night.
The light of noon steams from the moon,
Though with a milder ray;
O’er hill and grove, like woman's love,
It cheers us on the way.
Thus all that's bright, the moon, the night,
The heavens, the earth, the sea,
Exert their lowers to bless the hours
We dedicate to thee.
We regard this little song — “ Where Hudson's Wave” — “Woodman spare that Tree” — and “Near the Lake where droops the Willow”, as undeniably four of the truest and sweetest poems (independently of their idiosyncratic merit as songs) ever published in America, and we are delighted to know that both the intellect and the popular sentiment of the country sustain us in the opinion.
The picture of the General is wretched in every respect except as a mechanical engraving. As a drawing it is unworthy of a school-boy — who ever saw feet such as these I — and the willow is of a species unknown to Gods, men, and columns. As a composition it is detestable — stiff and ill arranged. As a portrait it is a falsehood — conveying not even the most remote idea of the mau. This face is impassive — with no expression beyond the absence of all — that of the General is beaming with sensibility.
The other engravings of the number are admirable indeed — the “View of Tallulah Falls” is especially so, and has seldom been excelled.
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Notes:
This review was attributed as being by Poe by W. D. Hull.
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[S:0 - BJ, 1845] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - Criticism - Literary (Poe?, 1845)