Supplement [pp. 341-348]

SOUTHERN LITERARY MIESSENGER.
343
From the Norfolk Heliald.
Southern Literary Messenger.-No. 4, Vol. 2, of this
Journal is just issued, and contains 16 pages of matter
over and above its usual quantity-that is, it contains
80 closely printed pages in place of 64, its promised
amount. A very slight inspection will convince any one
at all conversant in these matters that the present nunber of the Messenger embraces as much reading matter
(if not considerably more) than four ordinary volumes,
such for example, as the volumes of Paul Ulric or Norman Leslie. Of the value of the matter, or rather ofits
value in comparison with such ephemera as these just
mentioned, it is of course unnecessary to say much.
Popular opinion has placed the Messenger in a very
enviable position as regards the Literature of the South.
We have no hesitation in saying that it has elevated it
immeasurably. To use the words of a Northern contemporary "it has done more within the last six months
to refine the literary standard in this country than has
been accomplished before in the space of ten years."
The number before us commences with No.XI. (continued) of the Tripolita.nt Sketches. We can add nothing
to the public voice in favor of this series of papers. They
are excellent —and the one for this month is equal to
any in point of interest.
The Classics is a most admirable paper-indeed one
of the most forcible, and strange to say, one of the most
original defences of Ancient Literature we have ever perused. We do not, however, altogether like the sneers
at Bulwer in the beginning of the article. They should
have been omitted, for they are not only unjust, but they
make against the opinions advanced. Bolwer is not
only a ripe scholar, but an advocate of classical acquirement.
Al Loan to the Jlessenger, is beautiful-very beautiful
-witness the following Sonnets and serenades,
Sighs, glances, tears, and vows,
Gifts, tokens, souvenirs, parades,
And courtesies and bows.
A purpose, and a prayer:
The stars are in the sky He wonders how e'en hope should dare
To let him aim so high!
Still Hope allures and flatters,
And Doubt just makes him bold:
And so, with passion all in tatters,
The trembling tale is told!
Readings twith.ly Pencil, No. 2. is a fine article in the
manner of Colton. A true sentiment well expressed is
contained in the concluding words: "I am one of those
who are best when most afflicted. While the weight
hangs heavily, I keep time and measure, like a clock;
but remove it, and all the springs and wheels move
irregularly, and I am but a mere useless thing."
Halley's Comet so, so.
Epitanues. By Edgar A. Poe-an historical taitle in
which, by imatinary incidents, the character of Antiochus Epiphlancs is vividly depicted. It diffeis essentially from all the other tales of Mr. Poe. Indeed no two
of his articles bear more than a tfmily resemblance to
one another. They all differ widely in matter, and still
morelwidelyin manner. Epianites will cotivince all w liho
read it that Mr. P. is capable of even hi0gher and better
things.
To Helent-by the same author-a sonnet full of quiet
grace —we quote it in full.
Helen, thy beauty is to me
Like those Nicean barks of yore
That, gently, over a perfumed sea,
The weary, wayworn wanderer bore
To his own native shore.
On desperate seas lolg wont to roam,
Thy hyacinth hair, thy classic face,
Thy Naiad airs have brought me hoame
To the beauty of fair Greece
And the grandeur of old Rome.
Lo! in that little window-niche
How statue-like I see thee stand:
The folded scroll within thy hand —
Ah! Psyche from the regions which
Are Holy land!
On the Poetry of Burts. By James F. Otis —a good
essay on a threadbare subject —one, too, but very lately
handled in the Messenger by Larry Lyle.
Change-has some fine thoughts, for example,
— My little playmate crew
Have slept to wake no more
Till Change itself shall cease to be,
And one successive scene
Ofsteadfastness immutable
Remain where Change hath been.
Manual Labor Schools —By the Rev. E. F. Stanton is an
essay which, while we disagree with it in some of its
results, will serve to convince any one of the absolute
importance of exercise to men of sedentary habits or
occupations.
Song of Lee's Legion —very spirited verses.
Nhatural Bridge of Pandi, and Fall of Tequendaima are
both acceptable articles.
Lines on the Statute of Washington in the Capitol, although a little rugged in conclusion, are terse and forcible, and embody many eloquent sentiments. We recognize one of our most distinguished mnen —a fellowtownsman too —in the nerve and vigor of these verses.
The Ep)igramn below them is not worth much.
The Patriarch's Iitheritanice-majestic and powerful.
./lmericanisms —a very good article, and very true.
To Randolph ofRoanoke. These lines have some fine
points and the versification is good —but we do not like
them upon the whole.
Judge Tucker's.Iddi-ess, and JIlr. MVaxwell's Speech
before the Virginia Historical and Philosophical society,
we read with much interest. Things of this nature are
apt to be common place unless the speakers are men of
more than ordinary tact. There is no deficiency, however, in the present instance. Mr. Maxwell's speech,
especially, is exceedingly wvell adapted to produce effect
in delivery-more particularly in such delivery as Mr.
Maxwell's.
The Address of Professor Dew is, beyond doubt, an
article of great ability, and must excite strong attention, wherever it is read. It occupies full 20 pages —
which, perhaps, could not have been better occupied.
He has fully proved that a Republic such as ours, is
the fairest field in the world for the growth and florescence of Literature.
The Critical Notices maintain their lofty reputationbut as they will assuredly be read by all parties, and as
we have already exceeded our limits, we forbear to enter into detail. The Messenger is no longer a query, it
has earned a proud name. It demands encouragement
and will have it.
From the Cincinnatti Mirror.
The Soitherna Literary JI,essenger for February, is before
us. It is made up, as usual, of a very interesting miscellany of original articles. This magazine is rapidly
winning a high estimate for the literature of the South.
Its pages contain as good articles as any other Monthly
in the country. Its correspondents are numerous and
able, and its editor wields the gray goose quill like one
who knows what lie is about, and who has a right to.
Commend us to the literary notices of this Magazine
for genius, spice and spirit. Those which are commendatory, are supported by the real merit of the books themselves; but woe seize on the luckless wiglits who feel
the savage skill with which the editor uses his tomahawk and scalping knife. The fact is, the Messenger
is not given to the mincing of matter-what it has to
say is said fearlessly.
From the Boston Galaxy.
Smarting under Criticism.-Fay can't bear criticism.
The Southern Literary Messenger cut him up sharply
-and Fay has retorted-evincing that the sting rankles. A pity.