Supplement [pp. 133-140]

SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
Southern Literary Messenger for December. This
number is strong in notices of new works, and we
like the severity of some of them: there is much
matter for "cutting up." But the cutter up must
do his task like a neat carver, without smearing
his own fingers. Our friend Mr. White and his
editor should keep the tone and bearing of the
Messenger elevated and cavalier-like. Thle higher
the critic places himself, the more fatal will be his
blows downwards.
This number of the Messenger well supports its
rapidly earned repl)utation. Among its articles
may be particularised Mr. Minor's "Address on
Education, as connected with the permanence of
our Republican Institutions," and the "scenes from
Politian, an unpublished Drama" by Edgar A.
Poe.
From the Charleston Courier.
The Southern Literary Messenger.-After an
interval of several months, a species of literary interdict by the way which we dil not much relish,
we are able to announce the welcome reception of
the December number of this excellent and emiinently successful periodical, commelncing its second
volume and the second year of its bright and proraising existence. The State of Virginia has reason to be proud of it, as a valuable exhibition of
her nmental prowess-it has gathered the stars of
her intellectual firmametit into close an(l brilliant
C;onstellation, and vaith their blended light burnished her literary fame. But while collecting
intoa focus the rays of Southern mind,the Aurora
Borealis of genius has been no stranger to its
pages, and its intellectual gems have been freely
gathered from other portions of the republic of
letters. Among its contributors, E)DGAR A.
POE, equally riple in graphic humor and various
lore, seems by common consent to have been
awarded the laurel, and in the number before us
fully sustaining the reputation of its predecessors,
will be found proofs of his distinguished merit.
Fro,n the Richmnond W'hi.
The Literary Jlessenger.-'I'he high reputation
of this periodical is acknowledged by others besides ourselves, and much miore competent judges.
The Lynchburg Virginian says:
"Thile Messenger, upon the whole, reflects credit upon Virg,inia and the entire South. Indeed,
several distinguished Northern Journals place it
at the head of periodical literature in the United
States-a most enviable distinction when we recollect the eminent names that figure in our Monthlies, both as editors and contributors. Mr. White
deserves the thanks of the people of the South for
his untiring perseverance and industry, and we are
glad to hear that he is receiving them in the most
substantial form-to wit, paying subscribers."
And Mr. Paulding in a letter to the proprietor
says:
" P. S.-Your publication is decidedly superior
to any Periodical in the United States, and Mr.
Poe as decidedly the best of all our young writers;
I dent know but I might add all our old ones, with
one or two exceptions, among which I assure you
I dont include mvself."
From the Newv Yolrk Spirit ofthe Times.
The Southern Literary J!essenger.-This is
the earliest magazine of the month, and we are as
pleased to see it as an old favorite after a long absence, and welcome it accordingly.
Some change has taken place since last we saw
it, in the editorial department, but it affects not at
all the interest of the magazine; and we think the
critical notices of this numbler, whether wvritten by
the old or newv edilor, more elevated in their tone
than previously. There is a slight taint of l)edantry about them, perhaps; and in one instance undue severity is shown towards a clever young author: yet they are, in the main, clever and just.
But, as we have before said, we prize a magazine
for other qualities than mere deserts in criticism;
therefore turn we to the articles.
The first one is a continuation of "Sketches of
the History, &c. of Tripoli." These sketches are
fiom an unknown hand, which has access to original documents froni which to draw his facts, and
the author seems familiar with the writings of the
French historians on the subject. So wotully ignorant are we of the history of the Barbary Powers, that we are unable to judge of the accuracy of
these sketches: but we may safely say, that the
narrative is lucid and interesting, and evinces an
intimate anquaintance with the subject; and that
it has a peculiar interest for American readers just
now, as the French system of Finance and Dil)lomacy are constantly illustratted in their negotiations
with the I)eys. We can scarcely read with patience the narrative of the duplicity of the French
Government towards these piratical states; with
them, as with us, knavishly objecting to the allowance of a claim because of its absoluteness, or its
negotiation; and skulking fiom the payment of an
honest and acknowledged debt with an infinite deal
of balderdash about French honor insulted, or
French dignity offended. French honor and dignity!! Bah!
The next prose article consists of "Extracts
fiom my Mexican Journal." We have been so
tired of late with this subject, in the american
Monthly, that for the life of us we cannot screw
our courage up to the reaiding point.
The poetry of this number is of superior quality.
This is peculiarly the ladies' departnieit, and of
course we may not deny that they sustain it periectly. One little gem in this number is the
"Broken Heart," by a Virginia lady-of rare simplicity of thought and purpose, and most touchingly
executed. Our readers shall see it anon, and learn
somewhat further our ideas of the poetical excellence of this capital magazine.
Mr. Edgar A. Poe, a writer of much versatility
of talent has contributed much to this number.
He is a magazinist somewhat in the style of Wil lis: he needs condensation of thought. But this
is too flippant criticisnm for us, and we will read
him more. Althloug,h the earliest out, we have not
had time to complete this magazine.
From the Norfolk Beacon.
The first number of the second volume of the
Southern Literary Messenger contains several articles of solid worth. The "Tripoli Sketches"
retain their spirit and fidelity. Mr. Minor's Address is a patriotic and practical production. The
conmmon school system of the state demands the
)public attention. No votel should let his rel)resentatives alone, until such a system shall have been
established as will insure to the child of every
honest man in the commonwealth a thorough ele
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