refinement, and an acute observer, now in England, has addressed us
the first of a series of familiar letters, from which we hope often
to quote, for the pleasure or benefit of our readers. His journeyings
abroad will be greatly diversified, and out of the beaten track, both
as to countries, and portions of countries, which he will traverse.
The initiatory epistle, now before us, though necessarily limited
in incident, contains a passage or two, which we shall venture to
present, since they certainly, in more than one sense, are good
'evidence of things hoped for.' Speaking of the Thames, he says: 'On
the morning of the last day of our voyage, the exceedingly turbid
state of the water informed me that we were in the vast estuary of
the Thames. To me, it seems strange, that WATTS and other poets
should have so often attached the epithet 'silver' to this river.
From London to its very mouth it is both muddy and yellow.' * * *
'Our sails and spars are housed below, and 'booms' disposed of; a
'mud-pilot' is on board, and we are now what is technically called
'threading the needle.' The pilot roars through his speaking-trumpet,
'starboard!' 'larboard!' 'port!--port hard!' as we glide through
_forests_ of shipping--(you must be on the bosom of 'Father Tems,'
to realize the truth of this common simile,) and are passed, up
and down, by innumerable small steam-boats, one of which exhibited
no smoke, being propelled by the agency of quicksilver. The river
is some fifteen hundred feet wide, yet our ship frequently turns
up the mud from the bottom. By law, three hundred feet are left
in mid-channel, for ingress and egress. At length, we are ushered
through an enormous lock into the celebrated St. Catherine's Docks,
a vast reservoir, enclosed by immense warehouses, in the formation
of which, several thousand families were removed, and their houses
pulled down.' * * * 'I shall send you, in a few days, some interesting
articles for your Magazine, which will serve to diversify the pages
so admirably filled--I mean no flattery--by your numerous American
contributors. They are from the pen of a lady, of distinguished
talents, author of 'The Bride of Sicily,' and other poems, and for
some late years a popular writer in the 'Foreign Quarterly,' 'British
Magazine,' and 'Frazer's Magazine,' to which latter periodical she
recently contributed those clever papers, 'Remembrances of a Monthly
Nurse,' 'April Fools,' 'Mary Magdalene,' etc. You shall hear from me
again, at no distant period.'
In connection with this fragment of correspondence, we annex an
extract from a letter written from London by another friend, some
months ago, but which has probably 'been i' the Indies twice,'
since it passed from the hands of the writer, as it has but just
reached us. We fear some portions of it may seem to smack of undue
self-laudation; but we beg the reader to bear in mind, that we quote
from a source wholly disinterested; and to believe, that what may
appear calculated to induce a satisfied vanity, is but a 'spur to
prick the sides of our intent:'
'A knowledge of, and respect for, _American Literature_, appear to
be gaining ground in England; but still, very few of our writers can
boast _much_ foreign fame; and many a name, and many a book, familiar
to us, have scarcely been heard of, in the land of Shakspeare. There
are some bright exceptions, however. It is superfluous to say, that
I often heard IRVING and his writings spoken of with enthusiasm; and
the _early_ novels, especially, of COOPER, stand as high in popular
favor throughout Europe, as they ever did at home. But the English
are disposed, it would seem, to claim these two writers as their own;
many, at least, never allude to them as American. The essays of Dr.
CHANNING have attained a wide celebrity in Great Britain. I have seen
no less than three rival editions. Add to these three names those
of WASHINGTON and FRANKLIN, and you can scarcely mention another
American name which enjoys a thorough European reputation. A number
of our books have been re-published, it is true, and are known, to
some extent. I saw English editions of one or more of the works of
Miss SEDGWICK, PAULDING, SIMMS, FLINT, FAY, and Dr. BIRD. Our _poets_
they are but little acquainted with. Mr. Irving, you know, endorsed a
London edition of BRYANT, and Barry Cornwall conferred the same honor
on WILLIS; and his _prose_ sketches I have heard highly praised. He
has certainly written himself into considerable notoriety. PERCIVAL'S
poems were printed in England several years since. Some of HALLECK'S,
and others, are well known through the various specimens of American
poets. The classical text-books on oriental and biblical literature,
from Andover, Cambridge, etc., are re-printed, and considered high
authority by English scholars and critics. Several American books, of
a useful and practical character, such as ABBOTT'S 'Young Christian,'
Mrs. CHILD'S 'Frugal Housewife,' etc., have had an immense sale in
England and Scotland. At least twenty thousand copies of each of the
two mentioned have been sold in the kingdom. The sneering question
of the Quarterly, 'Who reads an American book?' is no longer asked;
but English prejudice is yet slow to admit that 'any good thing can
come out of Nazareth.' I was told by a London publisher, that if an
American book were re-printed, it would be bad policy to acknowledge
its origin. I know several instances of our books having been
published in London and Glasgow as original, and without a word of
the _source_, or any alteration, except the omission of local names,
by which they might have been detected! In one case, an English copy
of a book thus re-printed, verbatim, _except the title_, was received
by a New-York house, published as an English work, and one thousand
copies were sold, before it was discovered that the copy-right
belonged to the author and publisher in Philadelphia! American
periodicals, however, are doing much toward diffusing a knowledge
of our literary men and resources abroad--in England, Scotland, and
France, especially; and there is, on all hands, a great and growing
interest in every thing which relates to our noble republic.' * * *
'Some of our higher periodicals are favorably known here. Silliman's
'Journal of Science' is appreciated and praised by scientific men
throughout Europe; one or two hundred copies of the 'North American
Review' are taken in London; and the 'Knickerbocker,' I am informed,
is held in much estimation. Your sometime correspondent, Dr.
METCALF, (who is engaged in important studies and investigations
here, connected with his theory of the great pervading _principle
of life_,) tells me, that he finds numbers who agree with him in
the opinion, that the 'Knickerbocker' is not surpassed in talent,
variety, or interest, by any English magazine whatsoever.'
'There are two dealers in London, who import American books, viz., O.
RICH and R. J. KENNETT; and two in Scotland, J. REID and J. SYMINGTON
AND CO., of Glasgow. I have had the pleasure of personal acquaintance
with most of the distinguished publishers in London and Scotland,
and have made notes of some facts, and comparative statistics, in
which you may perhaps be interested. For the present, however, I will
bestow upon you no more of my tediousness.'
* * * * *
SAMUEL WOODWORTH, ESQ.--It is known to most of our readers, whose aid
may be rendered effectively, that a 'benefit' is soon to take place
at one of our theatres, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to
the relief of the popular poet, SAMUEL WOODWORTH, and his large and
amiable family, to whose support he has latterly been wholly unable
to contribute, by reason of a partial loss of sight, and a paralytic
shock, with which he has been visited. We hope the edifice where the
dramatic entertainment is to 'come off,' will be crowded from dome to
ceiling; so shall the beneficiary be made to rejoice in the belief
that the milk of human kindness which flows in his own bosom, is not
altogether absent from the breasts of the many who 'know him but to
love him,' and who 'name him but to praise.'
* * * * *
'KNICKERBOCKER HALL.'--'A good _name_ is every thing,' says some
didactic school-book maker, and we are about to agree with him.
'_Knickerbocker Hall_,' a large and commodious establishment,
recently erected adjoining the Park Theatre, we doubt not will, under
the supervision of TERRAPIN WELCH, Esq., P. H. T. C.,--a capable
representative of all the Knickerbockers--be 'everything' that
the reputation of its illustrious founder may lead the public to
anticipate. 'Moreover, and which is more,' he is to be aided by his
son-in-law, Mr. ADAMS, also a noted publican. Spacious dining-halls,
ample private supper-rooms, airy and commodious lodging apartments,
a renowned _cuisine_, and the most central of locations--these are
matters not likely to be lightly regarded by citizens, or strangers
who have ever 'heard tell o' SANDY.' Long may he reign!
FOOTNOTE:
[7] See an excellent article, on a cognate subject, in the
KNICKERBOCKER for June, entitled 'Dramatic Fictions.'
LITERARY RECORD.
NEW-YORK REVIEW.--We are well pleased to learn, that the 'New-York
Review and Quarterly Church Journal' is not, as we had been led to
fear, to be abandoned. It will hereafter be published regularly
by Mr. GEORGE DEARBORN. Its editorial supervision is confided, as
before, to Rev. C. S. HENRY, an announcement which will be amply
satisfactory to all who have read the first number. If this work but
sustain 'the promise of its spring'--and that it will do so, with its
corps of able contributors, and the aid of the accomplished writer
and scholar at its head, we cannot doubt--it will prove an honor, and
a high one, to the periodical literature of this country.
* * * * *
'BOOK OF THE UNITED STATES.'--This little volume, like all from
the pen of its world-renowned author, is entertaining as well as
instructive, and admirably adapted to secure the attention and
excite the imagination of the young. It exhibits the great features
of the country, on a principle of classification which embraces in
one view all that may relate to a particular topic, as mountains,
rivers, cities, lakes, etc., which are contrasted with those of
other countries, the better to impress them upon the memory. A free,
colloquial style, illustrative sketches and anecdotes, and numerous
wood engravings, render this little work what such works should be,
eminently attractive. Boston: CHARLES J. HENDEE.