National Literature the Exponent of National Character [pp. 201-225]

National Literature, the
Toward English literature, we should seek to steer clear of the
two extremes of servile imitatiom on the one hand, and ignorant contempt on the other. Real originality, whether in an
individual or in a nation, is never repressed by a wise and
generous culture. It is only the feeble who sink beneath the
weight of other men's thoughts. The strong are made stronger
by knowledge, as the arch is strengthened by the weight it
sustains. A common soldier might have fainted under the
weight of armour which an Ajax or Achilles could wear with
graceful agility and wield with deadly effect.
It must be conceded, however, that American literature has
borne its fairest fruit since the illiberal criticism of the Edinburgh Reviewer was made. In historical composition, Sparks,
Marshall, Irving, Bancroft, and Prescott, have nobly asserted
our country's claim to an honourable place in this high depart.
ment of letters.
In poetry, also, we can "note no deficience"-to adopt a
favourite phrase of Lord Bacon. Our poets have been both
abundant and prolific. It would be grossly unjust and invidious to compare the poets of youthful America with the "sceptred kings" of old England's poetical realm-with the patriarch Chaucer-" the sage and serious" Spenser-" the myriadminded" Shakspeare-and the colossal Milton. Still we have
several, as Bryant and Longfellow, who in purity of sentiment,
in exact and various learning, and in sweetness and elegance of
versification, are even by the admission of British critics fully
equal to the most gifted of their living bards. In a very acute
and intelligent reviewal of "The Golden Legend," which appeared in the February number of Blackwood, the following
estimate of the accomplished author is given. "In perfect
candour (says the critic) we must own, that in our opinion,
Longfellow at this moment stands beyond comparison at the
head of the poets of America, and may be considered as an
equal competitor for the palm with any of the younger poets of
England."
Of the literary criticism in our country, it may be remarked
that it is too uniformly laudatory, and therefore comparatively
powerless and worthless. But, akin to this amiable error is one
of its most conspicuous and characteristic excellences. It is
[APRIL
216