Flooding the banks of wisdom; and her soul,
Losing its self-control,
Waved with a vague, uncertain, tremulous quiver,
And like a lily in the storm, at last
She sunk 'neath passion's blast.
Flowing the fragrance rose--as though each blossom
Breathed out its very life--swell over swell,
Like mist along the dell,
Wooing his wondering heart from out his bosom--
His heart, which like a lark seemed slowly winging
Its way toward heaven, singing.
Dian looked on; she saw her spells completing,
And sighing, bade the sweetest nightingale
That ever in Carian vale
Sang to her charms, rise, and with softest greeting
Woo from its mortal dreams and thoughts of clay
Endymion's soul away.
From the conclusion of the poem we take a few stanzas, describing the
struggle of Dian with her passion, when Endymion asserts his love for
Chromia:
The goddess gasped for breath, with bosom swelling:
Her lips unclosed, while her large, luminous eyes
Blazing like Stygian skies,
With passion, on the audacious youth were dwelling:
She raised her angry hand, that seemed to clasp
Jove's thunder in its grasp.
And then she stood in silence, fixed and breathless;
But presently the threatening arm slid down;
The fierce, destroying frown
Departed from her eyes, which took a deathless
Expression of despair, like Niobe's--
Her dead ones at her knees.
Slowly her agony passed, and an Elysian,
Majestic fervor lit her lofty eyes,
Now dwelling on the skies:
Meanwhile, Endymion stood, cheek, brow and vision,
Radiant with resignation, stern and cold,
In conscious virtue bold,
In conclusion, we cannot but congratulate Mr. Hirst on his success in
producing a poem conceived with so much force and refinement of
imagination, and finished with such consummate art, as the present. It
is a valuable addition to the permanent poetical literature of the
country.
_Memoir of William Ellery Channing. With Extracts from
His Correspondence and Manuscripts. Boston: Crosby &
Nichols. 3 vols. 12mo._
This long expected work has at last been published, and we think it
will realize the high expectations raised by its announcement two or
three years ago. It is mostly composed of extracts from the letters,
journals, and unpublished sermons of Dr. Channing, and is edited by
his nephew, Wm. H. Channing, who has also supplied a memoir. It
conveys a full view of Dr. Channing's interior life from childhood to
old age, and apart from its great value and interest, contains, in the
exhibition of the steps of his intellectual and spiritual growth, as
perfect a specimen of psychological autobiography as we have in
literature. Such a work subjects its author to the severest tests
which can be applied to a human mind in this life, and we have risen
from its perusal with a new idea of the humility, sincerity, and
saintliness of Dr. Channing's character. In him self-distrust was
admirably blended with a sublime conception of the capacity of man,
and a sublime confidence in human nature. He was not an egotist, as
passages in his writings may seem to indicate, for he was more severe
upon himself than upon others, and numberless remarks in the present
volumes show how sharp was the scrutiny to which he subjected the most
elusive appearances of pride and vanity. But with his high and living
sense of the source and destiny of every human mind, and his almost
morbid consciousness of the deformity of moral evil, he reverenced in
himself and in others the presence of a spirit which connected
humanity with its Maker, and by unfolding the greatness of the
spiritual capacities of men, he hoped to elevate them above the
degradation of sensuality and sin. He was not a teacher of spiritual
pride, conceit and self-worship, but of those vital principles of love
and reverence which elevate man only by directing his aspirations to
God.
The present volumes give a full length portrait of Dr. Channing in all
the relations of life, and some of the minor details regarding his
opinions and idiosyncrasies are among the most interesting portions of
the book. We are glad to perceive that he early appreciated
Wordsworth. The Excursion he eagerly read on its first appearance, and
while so many of the Pharisees of taste were scoffing at it, he
manfully expressed his sense of its excellence. This poem he recurred
to oftener than to any other, and next to Shakspeare, Wordsworth seems
to have been the poet he read with the most thoughtful delight. When
he went to Europe, in 1822, he had an interview with Wordsworth, and
of the impression he himself made on the poet there can be no more
pertinent illustration, than the fact that, twenty years afterward,
Wordsworth mentioned to an American gentleman that one observation of
Channing, respecting the connection of Christianity with progress, had
stamped itself ineffaceably upon his mind. Coleridge he appears to
have profoundly impressed. In a letter to Washington Allston,
Coleridge says of him--"His affection for the good as the good, and
his earnestness for the true as the true--with that harmonious
subordination of the latter to the former, without encroachment on the
absolute worth of either--present in him a character which in my
heart's heart I believe to be the very rarest on earth. . . . . Mr.
Channing is a philosopher in both the possible renderings of the word.
He has the love of wisdom and the wisdom of love. . . . . I am
confident that the few differences of opinion between him and myself
not only are, but would by him be found to be apparent, not real--the
same truth seen in different relations. Perhaps I have been more
absorbed in the depth of the mystery of the spiritual life, he more
engrossed by the loveliness of its manifestations."
In nothing is Dr. Channing's humility better seen than in his
relations to literature. He became an author almost unconsciously. All
his intellectual convictions were so indissolubly woven into the
texture of his life, so vitalized by his heart and imagination, that
writing with him was never an end but a means. Literary fame followed
him; he did not follow it. When, however, he found that his reputation
not only rung through his own country but was reverberated from
Europe, he appears to have feared that it might corrupt his motives
for composition. He studiously avoided reading all eulogistic notices
of his works or character, though they were interesting to him as
indications of the influence his cherished opinions were exerting. The
article in the Westminster Review, which exceeded all others in
praise, he never read. Dr. Dewey's criticism in the Christian Examiner
he only knew as far as related to its objections, and his only
disappointment was in finding them so few. Brougham's criticism on his
style provoked in him no retort. Hazlitt's coarse attack on him in the
Edinburgh Review he considered as an offset to the undue praise he had
received from other quarters. "The author of the article," he says, in
one of his letters, "is now dead; and as I did not feel a moment's
anger toward him during his life, I have no reproach for him now. He
was a man of fine powers, and wanted nothing but pure and fixed
principles to make him one of the lights of the age."
It would be impossible in our limits to convey an adequate impression
of the beauty, value, or interest of the present volumes. They are
full of matter. The letters are admirable specimens of epistolary
composition, considered as the spontaneous expression of a grave, high
and warm nature, to the friends of his heart and mind. They are
exceedingly original of their kind, and while they bear no resemblance
to those of Cowper, Burns, Byron, or Mackintosh, they are on that very
account a positive addition to the literature of epistolary
composition. Few biographies have been published within a century
calculated to make so deep an impression as this of Dr. Channing, and
few could have admitted the reader to so close a communion with the
subject, without sacrificing that delicacy in the treatment of
frailties due to the character of the departed.
_Napoleon and the Marshals of the Empire. Philadelphia:
Carey & Hart. 2 vols. 12mo._
The present work is to some extent an attempt "to head" Mr. Headley.
For our part, we profess to have as much patience as any of the
descendants of Job, but we must acknowledge that we have broken down
in every effort to master the merits of the quarrel between the
publishers of the present volumes and the Author of Napoleon and his
Marshals. Accordingly we can give no opinion on that matter. In
respect to the value of the volumes under consideration, as compared
with a similar work by Mr. Headley, there can be little hesitation of
judgment. It is idle to say, as some have said, that a work which has
run through fifteen editions, as Mr. Headley's has done, is a mere
humbug. On the contrary, it is a book evincing a mind as shrewd as it
is strong, aiming, it is true, rather at popularity than excellence,
but obtaining the former by possessing the sagacity to perceive that
accounts of battles, to be generally apprehended, must be addressed to
the eye and blood rather than to the understanding; and this power
of producing vivid pictures of events Mr. Headley has in large
measure. Hence the success of his book, in spite of its exaggerations
of statement, sentiment and language.
The present work evinces a merit of another kind. It is a keen,
accurate, well-written production, devoid of all tumult in its style
and all exaggeration in its matter, and giving close and consistent
expositions of the characters, and a clear narrative of the lives, of
Napoleon and his Marshals. It is evidently the work of a person who
understands military operations, and conveys a large amount of
knowledge which we have seen in no other single production on the
subject of the wars springing out of the French Revolution. The
portraits of fifteen of the marshals, in military costume, are very
well executed.
The portion of the work devoted to Napoleon, about one third of the
whole, is very able. Its defect consists in the leniency of its
judgment on that gigantic public criminal. Napoleon was a grand
example of a great man, who demonstrated, on a wide theatre of action,
what can be done in this world by a colossal intellect and an iron
will without any moral sense. In his disregard of humanity, and his
reliance on falsehood and force, he was the architect at once of his
fortune and his ruin. No man can be greatly and wisely politic who is
incapable of grasping those universal sentiments which underlie all
superficial selfishness in mankind, and of discerning the action of
the moral laws of the universe. Without this, events cannot be read in
their principles. The only defect in Napoleon's mind was a lack of
moral insight, the quality of perceiving the moral character and
relations of objects, and, wanting this, he must necessarily have been
in the long run unsuccessful. It is curious that of all the great men
which the Revolution called forth, Lafayette was almost the only one
who never violated his conscience, and the only one who came out well
in the end. Intellectually he was below a hundred of his
contemporaries, but his instinctive sense of right pushed him blindly
in the right direction, when all the sagacity and insight of the
masters in intrigue and comprehensive falsehood signally failed.
_Romance of the History of Louisiana. A Series of
Lectures. By Charles Gayarre. New York: D. Appleton &
Co. 1 vol. 12mo._
The romantic element in historical events is that which takes the
strongest hold upon the imagination and sensibility; and it puts a
certain degree of life into the fleshless forms of even the
commonplace historian. The incidents of a nation's annals cannot be
narrated in a style sufficiently dry and prosaic to prevent the soul
of poetry from finding some expression, however short of the truth. It
seems to us that there is much error in the common notions regarding
matters of fact. Starting from the unquestionable axiom that
historians should deal with facts and principles, not with fictions
and sentimentalities, most people have illogically concluded that
those histories are the worthiest of belief which address the
understanding alone, and studiously avoid all the arts of
representation. Now this is false in two respects--such histories not
only giving imperfect and partial views of facts, but disabling the
memory from retaining even them. Facts and events, whether we regard
them singly or in their relations, can be perceived and remembered
only as they are presented to the whole nature. They must be realized
as well as generalized. The sensibility and imagination, as well as
the understanding are to be addressed. As far as possible they should
be made as real to the mind as any event which experience has stamped
on the memory. History thus written, is written close to the truth of
things, and conveys real knowledge. Far from departing from facts, or
exaggerating them, it is the only kind of history which thoroughly
comprehends them. We should never forget that the events which have
occurred in the world, are expressions of the nature of man under a
variety of circumstances and conditions, and that these events must be
interpreted in the light of that common humanity which binds all men
together. History, therefore, differs from true poetry, not so much in
intensity and fullness of representation; not so much in the force,
vividness and distinctness with which things are brought home to the
heart and brain, as in difference of object. The historian and the
poet are both bound to deal with human nature, but one gives us its
actual development, the other its possible; one shows us what man has
done, the other what man can do. The annalist who does not enable us
to see mankind in real events, is as unnatural as the poetaster who
substitutes monstrosities for men in fictitious events.
We accordingly welcome with peculiar heartiness all attempts at
realizing history, by evolving its romantic element, and thus
demonstrating to the languid and lazy readers of ninepenny nonsense,
that the actual heroes and heroines of the world have surpassed in
romantic daring the fictitious ones who swell and swagger in most
novels and poems. Mr. Gayarre's work is more interesting, both as
regards its characters and incidents, than Jane Eyre or James's
"last," for, in truth, it requires a mind of large scope to imagine as
great things as many men, in every country, have really performed. The
History of Louisiana affords a rich field to the poet and romancer,
who is content simply to reproduce in their original life some of its
actual scenes and characters; and Mr. Gayarre has, to a considerable
extent, succeeded in this difficult and delicate task. The work
evinces a mind full of the subject; and if defective at all, the
defect is rather in style than matter. The author evidently had two
temptations to hasty composition--a copious vocabulary and complete
familiarity with his subject. There is an occasional impetuosity and
recklessness in his manner, and a general habit of tossing off his
sentences with an air of disdainful indifference, which characterizes
a large class of amateur southern writers. Such a style is often rapid
from heedlessness rather than force, and animated from caprice rather
than fire. The timid correctness of an elegant diction is not more
remote from beauty than the defiant carelessness of a reckless one is
from power; and to avoid Mr. Prettyman, it is by no means necessary to
"fraternize" with Sir Forcible Feeble. Mr. Gayarre has produced so
pleasant a book, and gives evidence of an ability to do so much toward
familiarizing American history to the hearts and imaginations of the
people, that we trust he will not only give us more books, but subject
their style to a more scrupulous examination than he has the present.
_Universal and Critical Dictionary of the English
Language. By Joseph E. Worcester. Boston: Wilkins,
Carter, & Co. 1 vol. 8vo._
The present century has been distinguished above all others in the
history of English lexicography, for the number and excellence of its
dictionaries. It is a matter of pride to Americans that so far the
United States are in advance of England, in regard to the sagacity and
labor devoted to the English language. Of those who have done most in
this department, the pre-eminence belongs to Dr. Webster and Dr.
Worcester. Each has published a Dictionary of great value; and that of
the latter is now before us. It bears on every page marks of the most
gigantic labor, and must have been the result of many long years of
thought and investigation. Its arrangement is admirable, and its
definitions clear, concise, critical, and ever to the purpose. The
introduction, devoted to the principles of pronunciation, orthography,
English Grammar, the origin, formation, and etymology of the English
language; and the History of English Lexicography is laden with
important information, drawn from a wide variety of sources. Dr.
Worcester has also, in the appendix, enlarged and improved Walker's
Key to the Classical Pronunciation of Greek, Latin, and Scripture
Names, and added the pronunciation of modern geographical names. Taken
as a whole, we think the dictionary one which not even the warmest
admirers of Dr. Webster can speak of without respect. The advantage
which Dr. Worcester's dictionary holds over Dr. Webster's may be
compressed in one word--objectiveness. The English language, as a
whole, is seen through a more transparent medium in the former than in
the latter. Dr. Webster, with all his great merits as a lexicographer,
loved to meddle with the language too much. Dr. Worcester is content
to take it as it is, without any intrusion of his own idiosyncracies.
We think that both dictionaries are honorable to the country, and that
each has its peculiar excellencies. Perhaps the student of
lexicography could spare neither.
_The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha. From the
Spanish of Cervantes. With Illustrations by Schoff.
Boston: Charles H. Peirce. 1 vol. 12mo._
This is a very handsome edition of one of the most wonderful creations
of the human intellect, elegantly illustrated with appropriate
engravings. It is to a certain extent a family edition, omitting only
those portions of the original which would shock the modesty of modern
times. We know that there is a great opposition among men of letters
to the practice of meddling with a work of genius, and suppressing any
portion of it. To a considerable extent we sympathize with this
feeling. But when the question lies between a purified edition and the
withdrawal of the book from popular circulation, we go for the former.
Don Quixote is a pertinent instance. It is not now a book generally
read by many classes of people, especially young women, and the
younger branches of a family. The reason consists in the coarseness of
particular passages and sentences. Strike these out, and there remains
a body of humor, pathos, wisdom, humanity, expressed in characters and
incidents of engrossing interest, which none can read without benefit
and pleasure. The present volume, which might be read by the fireside
of any family, is so rich in all the treasures of its author's
beautiful and beneficent genius, that we heartily wish it an extensive
circulation. It is got up with great care by one who evidently
understands Cervantes; and the unity of the work, with all its
beautiful episodes, is not broken by the omissions.
_Wuthuring Heights. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1 vol. 12mo._
This novel is said to be by the author of Jane Eyre, and was eagerly
caught at by a famished public, on the strength of the report. It
afforded, however, but little nutriment, and has universally
disappointed expectation. There is an old saying that those who eat
toasted cheese at night will dream of Lucifer. The author of Wuthuring
Heights has evidently eat toasted cheese. How a human being could have
attempted such a book as the present without committing suicide before
he had finished a dozen chapters, is a mystery. It is a compound of
vulgar depravity and unnatural horrors, such as we might suppose a
person, inspired by a mixture of brandy and gunpowder, might write for
the edification of fifth-rate blackguards. Were Mr. Quilp alive we
should be inclined to believe that the work had been dictated by him
to Lawyer Brass, and published by the interesting sister of that legal
gentleman.
_A Discourse on the Life, Character, and Public
Services of James Kent, late Chancellor of the State of
New York. By John Duer. New York: D. Appleton & Co._
This discourse was originally delivered before the Judiciary and Bar
of the city and State of New York. In a style of unpretending
simplicity it gives a full length portrait of the great chancellor,
doing complete justice to his life and works, and avoiding all the
vague commendations and meaningless generalities of commonplace
eulogy. One charm of the discourse comes from its being the testimony
of a surviving friend to the intellectual and moral worth of a great
man, without being marred by the exaggeration of personal attachment.
Judge Kent's mind and character needed but justice, and could dispense
with charity, even when friendship was to indicate the grasp of the
one and the excellence of the other.
_Memorials of the Introduction of Methodism into the
Eastern States. By Rev. A. Stevens, A. M. Boston:
Charles H. Peirce. 1 vol. 12mo._
Mr. Stevens takes a high rank among the leading minds of his
denomination. The present work shows that he combines the power of
patient research with the ability to express its results in a lucid,
animated, and elegant style. His biographies of the Methodist
preachers have the interest of a story. Indeed, out of the Catholic
Church, there is no religious chivalry whose characters and actions
partake so much of heroism, and of that fine enthusiasm which almost
loses its own identity in the objects it contemplates, as the
Methodist priests.
_The Inundation; or Pardon and Peace. A Christmas
Story. By Mrs. Gore. With Illustrations by Geo.
Cruikshank. Boston: C. H. Peirce. 1 vol. 18mo._
This is a delightful little story, interesting from its incidents and
characters, and conveying excellent morality and humanity in a
pleasing dress. The illustrations are those of the London edition, and
are admirably graphic. Cruikshank's mode of making a face expressive
of character by caricaturing it, is well exhibited in his sketches in
the present volume.
_The Book of Visions, being a Transcript of the Record
of the Secret Thoughts of a Variety of Individuals
while attending Church._
The design of this little work is original and commendable. It is
written to do good, and we trust may answer the expectations of its
author. It enters the bosoms of members of the cabinet, members of
congress, bankers, lawyers, editors, &c
., and reports the secret
meditations of those who affect to be worshipers. It is published by
J. W. MOORE of this city.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FASHION PLATE.
TOILETTE DE VILLE.--Dress of Nankin silk, ornamented in the front of
the skirt with bias trimming of the same stuff, fastened by silk
buttons; corsage plain, with a rounded point, ornamented at the skirt;
sleeves half long, with bias trimming; under sleeves of puffed muslin;
capote of white crape, ornamented with two plumes falling upon the
side.
SUR LE COTE.--Dress of blue glace taffetas, trimmed with two puffs
alike, disposed (en tablier;) corsage plain, low in the neck, and
trimmed with puffs from the shoulder to the point, and down the side
seam; sleeves short, and puffed; stomacher of plaited muslin, (under
sleeves of puffed muslin;) cap of lace, lower part puffed, without
trimming, ornamented with two long lappets, fastened with some bows of
yellow ribbon.
Transcriber's Note:
Small errors in punctuation and obvious printer's errors have been
corrected silently. Minor irregularities in spelling have been
maintained as in the original.