In presenting the ninth number of the Messenger to our readers, we
take occasion to make some brief references to its contents. Besides
contributions from old friends, to whom we have been formerly
indebted, it contains _seven_ prose articles from new correspondents,
some of whom are entirely unknown to us, all of whom are welcome to
our pages.
Of the sixth number of "_Sketches of the History of Tripoli_," it is
only necessary to say that it is worthy of and sustains the character
of the preceding numbers. The same may be said of the "_Letters of a
Sister_," in which the vivacity that has elicited so much praise of
the former numbers, is not diminished.
The descriptions of Virginia scenery, in the article on "_The House
Mountain_," and the "_Visit to the Virginia Springs_," are highly
attractive. The former is remarkable for its graphic delineations and
glowing imagery--the latter abounds with useful information, conveyed
in an attractive style; and its writer describes the scenes he visited
with great clearness.
The third number upon the "_Fine Arts_," is an admirable article. The
writer warms as he progresses with his subject.
We would particularly recommend the article on the "_National
Importance of Mineral Possessions_," &c. The application of general
truths to our own peculiar situation, is made with much force in that
article.
Our stranger correspondent, _Anthony Absolute_, has very delicately
satirized the opposers of the amusement of dancing. His style is
evidently modelled after that of some of the numbers of the Spectator,
and he is uncommonly happy in keeping up a vein of quiet humor
throughout. His grave irony is highly amusing.
The writer of an article on "_Recent American Novels_," seems to us to
have expressed some opinions hastily, and to estimate the merits of
some of our native writers incorrectly. He has surely overlooked the
author of _Calavar_, in classing the successors of Cooper and Irving,
as "dwarfish," and their efforts as "puny." He was not in fault in
passing over the author of "_Horse-Shoe Robinson_," as that work had
not appeared when his article was penned; and _Swallow Barn_ does not
rank as a novel. We believe that Mr. Kennedy and Dr. Bird will prove
themselves worthy successors to Cooper and Irving (so far as the
latter may be considered a novel writer,) when the mantles shall fall
from their shoulders--nor will Mr. Sims, the author of Guy Rivers and
the Yemassie, (either of which, we apprehend, are superior to the
Insurgents,) be far behind. The reviewer seems to us rather
inconsistent in his allusions to Cooper, Irving, Paulding and Miss
Sedgewick: But we have not room to particularize. With regard to the
two former, the opinions of a _Young Scotchman_, in the interesting
letter which we publish in this number, are worthy of attention. We
are happy to say, that extracts from his "_Letters on the United
States_," will be continued in the Messenger. We doubt not they will
be read with avidity.
"_Lion-izing_," by Mr. Poe, is an inimitable piece of wit and satire:
and the man must be far gone in a melancholic humor, whose risibility
is not moved by this tale. Although the scene of the story is laid in
the foreign city of "_Fum Fudge_," the disposition which it satirizes
is often displayed in the cities of this country--even in our own
community; and will probably still continue to exist, unless Mrs.
Butler's Journal should have disgusted the fashionable world with
_Lions_.
The prominent article for this month, we have not yet alluded to; it
is the "_Dissertation on the Characteristic Differences between the
Sexes; the Influence of Woman_," &c.--a subject of great and abiding
interest, treated in a masterly manner. The comprehensive views taken
by the writer, of the whole subject; the copiousness of his
illustrations, and the happy manner in which they are brought to
sustain his various positions, are striking features in this able
article. We think we incur no risk in expressing the belief, that this
Dissertation when completed, will be the most perfect essay on the
subject, in the whole range of English literature.
"_The Grave of Forgotten Genius_," and "_Lionel Granby_," will have
their attractions, we doubt not, for many of our readers. The writer
of the latter possesses powers of description of no mean order. He
paints objects and characters skilfully, though at times his style is
somewhat overloaded with words. We shall receive his future chapters
with pleasure.
The poetical contributions for this number are generally excellent. We
are constrained to forbear any particular notice of them, by the
briefness of the space which we have to occupy.