Text: Edgar Allan Poe (?), Literary, Broadway Journal (New York), September 27, 1845, vol. 2, no. 12, p. ???, col. ?

[page 183, column 2:]

Editorial Miscellany.

IN OUR NOTICE, last week, of an article on “American Humor” by Mr. William Jones, we mentioned that Mr. Graham, the editor of “Graham's Magazine,” had rejected a contribution from Mr. Jones; and we gave this as our only supposable reason for the latter's sweeping denunciation of the three-dollar Magazines. We have since received, from a warm personal friend of Mr. Jones, a somewhat different version of the story — which runs thus:

A contract was entered into by “Graham's Magazine” for several articles from the pen of Mr. Jones. The articles were written; they did not suit the tone of the Magazine (which might have been a virtue or not in the contributor, according to the subject matter): some delay occurred; but the negotiation was ultimately completed, according to the agreement, by Mr. Graham paying the author.

We are happy to afford Mr. Jones the full benefit of this variation. Our own opinion of the matter is not materially changed. When a critic so far forgets himself as to speak in wholesale terms of disparagement of a work made up altogether of contributions from the élite of our literature, we naturally seek some unusual reason for the abuse — some reason which does not appear upon the surface — in short, some private and personal cause. — If we have wronged Mr. Jones, we regret it very sincerely — although he has made no scruple of wronging us and our friends. Still, we by no means think that we have wronged Mr. Jones.

His apologist (for whom personally and as an author, we have the highest respect) goes on to say:

Whatever sins of dogmatism Mr. J. may have to answer for, (and we must still regret that his last article was not submitted to a judicious pruning and emendation) we are assured that he is utterly incapable of any of the prevalent sins of literary immorality. True men of letters are not so abundant in the community as to be wantonly injured in their good fame. . . . . .Mr. Jones is an individual writer of the dogmatic school, who requires for a subject one strictly in harmony with his sentiment and experience, when he is enthusiastic, brilliant, and profound: out of his personal range he is careless, ineffective, and apparently unjust. . . .. The article upon Mr. Dana, written by Mr. Jones and published in an early number of this [The Broadway] Journal, exhibits him in his true element.

With much of all this we agree. Mr. Jones is what may be termed an “elegant” essayist of a by-gone school. His articles are always graceful, pointed, gentlemanly, in thought and tone. They lack vigor, originality, and consecutiveness. They leave no definite impression. — We read one of them and say — not that we have been convinced of anything, or that we have derived any new ideas — but that, upon the whole, Mr. Jones is a very clever writer of essays. His most reprehensible fault, however, is that he can see nothing excellent out of the limits of Boston Common. Again: — if we have done him injustice, we beg his pardon — but we do not think that we have.

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HON. EDWARD EVERETT and family returned home in the Britannia.

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MR. MCLANE, the American Minister in England, has taken up his residence at 38 Harley street, Cavendish square.

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FIELD, the gentlemanly and clever editor of the St. Louis Reveillé, has sued the editors of the People's Organ, [page 184:] a paper published in that city, for libel; laying his damages at $10,000. The libel consisted in the publication of a letter abusive of Mr. Field, written by Mr. Green, the reformed gambler.

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New and Fashionable Harps. Our attention has been called to those beautiful instruments, manufactured by J. F. Browne, 281 Broadway and 83 Chambers street.

The Harp, as an instrument, is but little known in this country, although in Europe it is considered as a necessary accomplishment to ladies of refined education, occupying any position in fashionable society. It is a singular fact, but it is no less true than singular, that while the ladies of the South, particularly of Charleston and New Orleans, cultivate a knowledge of this instrument with considerable success, our Northern ladies display a marked indifference on the subject. Were we inclined to write an essay upon the history of the Harp, we might say how it flourished thousands of years before the Christian Era-we might trace its course down to that period and through the Dark Ages (when it survived most other instruments) even up to the present time — we might describe its various shapes and scales at the different periods even up to our own days, showing how greatly the balance is in favor of us Modems — but we will not do all this; we will content ourselves by simply stating that every lady should, for many reasons, be a little familiar with this truly drawing-room instrument. In the first place it is a capital exercise, bringing the muscles into gentle and healthful play; in the next place it is an excellent accompaniment to the voice; and lastly it displays the beautiful and graceful proportions of nature's handicraft, to the greatest advantage. Well might a learned Theban eloquently observe, to some young beaux, on beholding a young and graceful woman seated in the most fascinating position, like the Divine Cecilia at her Harp — well might this learned Theban observe, we say, “if you have hearts prepare to lose them now.”

Mr. Browne's Harps are by far the most magnificent instruments that we ever saw. Through his perfect knowledge of the instrument he has effected many important improvements in the mechanical department, and in the tone there is an extraordinary addition of sweetness, purity and power. The pillars are elaborately and gorgeously carved and gilded, while the frames are elegantly shaped and finished.

There is at present in his show room 281 Broadway (up stairs) a splendid Grand Concert Harp, six and a half octaves in compass, recently sold to a lady of North Carolina, which is without exception the most elegant, chaste and powerful instrument we have ever heard in this country. It combines all the latest improvements, and we should advise our fair friends, if only as a matter of curiosity, to visit Mr. Browne's establishment, before the instrument leaves it for its final destination. We can cordially recommend Mr. Browne's instruments, as we are well acquainted with the character of the firm of which he is the resident representative.

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We have received two Elementary Musical Works, for review, the one by J. F. Warner, and the other by E. Ives, Jr.; which we shall notice in our next.

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OUR ARTICLES upon the fine Arts are unavoidably crowded out this week; also a full description of the opening of Mr. Erben's Organ, at Dr. Potts’ new Church. These shall duly appear in our next. [column 2:]

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WE TAKE the following truly characteristic and especially French paragraph from the excellent “Courier des Etats Unis.”

DEUX NOUVEAUX-NES DANS NOTRE FAMILLE. — C’est une carrière toujours laborieuse et rarement lucrative, que celle du journalisme, et pourtant chaque jour nous voyons s’y aventurer de nouveaux imprudens. Depuis huit jours, la nombreuse et féconde famille de nos confreres Américains s’est grossie de deux membres, le Star et le Globe, paraissants tous les jours, celui-là le soir et celui-ci le matin. Qu’ils soient les bien-venus! plus la route est périileuse et plus on a besoin d’amis pour la parcourir. Du reste, nous ne voulons pas faire de ces réflexions un décourageant pronostic pour ces nonveaux-nés de la presse. Jamais il n’en surgit de plus eiables, de plus dignes de la confiiance et du patronage du public qui tient en ses mains les destinées des journalistes. Ce ne sont même pas des débutantes qui nous arrivent, car sous des noms nouveaux, nous trouvons de vieilles connaissances qui ont déjà trop bien fait leurs preuves pour que nous doutions de leurs futurs succés. Il en est un surtout, le Globe, avec lequel nous avons vécu en trop bonne fraternité, lorsqu’il s’appelait Plebeian, pour que nous n’accueillions pas avec plaisir sa résurrection opérée par la plume puissante de M. Levi D. Slam, l’un des plus consciencieux et des plus éloquens publicistes du parti démocratique.

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AMONG THOSE who have furnished original papers for the “Broadway Journal,” are Mrs. Osgood, Mrs. Kirkland, Mrs. Child, Mrs. Lowell, Mrs. Hewitt, Miss Fuller, Miss Lawson, Miss Wells, J. R. Lowell, H. R. Schoolcraft, Park Benjamin, E. A. Duyckinck, Wm. A. Jones, T. D. English, Wm. Wallace, A. M. Ide, Henry B. Hirst, Wm. Page (the artist), Henry C. Watson, the author of “The Vision of Rubeta,” Littleton Barry, and Edgar A. Poe . We have also numerous anonymous contributors who would do honor to any journal in the land. Mr. Simms, the novelist, Mrs. Ellett, and many others of note, will hereafter contribute. We mention these facts to do away with any evil impressions that might arise from a statement made in the September number of Simms’ Magazine, by a New-York correspondent, who no doubt intended us well.

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THE DATE of “The Saturday Courier” (of Philadelphia) from which we quoted a portion of Mr. Whittier's story, “The Broken-Hearted,” is June 19, 1841.

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IT WILL BE seen that we make our appearance this week in a new dress — and this will account for a little delay in our time of issue. It is our intention gradually but steadily to improve the paper at all points.

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THE EMBARRASSMENT, the delay, and general inconvenience arising from bad penmanship, can be thoroughly understood only by an editor. We are compelled, every week, to throw aside many valuable contributions merely because the wretched MS. renders them too expensive to be used. Once again, we say to our friends — write legibly or not at all. Take lessons of Mr. Goldsmith. You will find him in Broadway — 289. We know no one so well qualified to teach a fluent, beautiful, and, what is of still more consequence, a legible hand-writing. We advise, at all events, a visit to his rooms, where in the way of really good penmanship, some absolute curiosities are to be seen. His Advertisement will be found in another column.

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MR. AUSTIN PHILLIPS and Mr. H. C. Watson, are about to establish a Glee Class upon a large scale. Full particulars will be announced next week.

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TO CORRESPONDENTS. Many thanks to M. O. of Lebanon Springs — also to the fair author of “Pictures” — also to A. M. I. We are forced to decline “Margarette” — “The Warrior's Battle-Song” — “Hope” — and “On the Death of a Favorite Young Dog.” Our friends P. B. — P. P. C. — and T. H. C. shall hear from us in full in a few days. What has become of M. L. of Philadelphia. We are greatly indebted to Miss M. O.