In presenting the fourth number of the "Messenger" to the public, we
are gratified in announcing the continued support of our friends and
correspondents, and the increasing ardor with which the work is
patronized. Far more to the great cause of southern literature, than to
our own humble efforts, is it owing that we are encouraged from a
variety of quarters to persevere in our labors; and our generous well
wishers may rely, that we are not disposed to look back or falter in
our course,--borne as we are upon the "full tide of successful
experiment." Let but our friends continue to take an interest in our
cause, and this work will soon be placed beyond contingent evils. It
will become the arena, where southern minds especially, may meet in
honorable collision; and when we say _southern_ minds, let us not be
understood as slighting or undervaluing the rich and valuable aid which
we hope to receive from our northern and eastern brethren. Far from it.
We desire to emulate their own noble efforts in behalf of American
literature, and to stir up our more languid countrymen, to imitate
their industry, and to hope for their success.
The rights and duties of the editorial chair, especially in the infancy
of a literary work, are extremely delicate. Taste is so subtle,
variable and uncertain a quality, that, for an editor to establish his
own, as a fixed and immutable standard--would seem invidious, if not
absolutely odious. On the other hand, some judgment and discrimination
must be exercised, or the consequences might be still more injurious.
The indiscriminate admission of _all_ pretenders, would be disparaging
and unjust to those whose claims are unquestionable. The true view of
the subject we take to be this--not to exclude all contributions which
do not display a high degree of merit--especially if their authors are
young and evince a desire to excel. One object of a work like the
"Messenger," is to _improve_ the exercise of thought and the habit of
composition. A literary novice, when he sees himself in print, and
contrasts his productions with those of more mature minds and more
practised hands, will rouse himself to greater effort. It may encourage
and stimulate him to more decided and brilliant exertion. Fine writing
is not the acquisition of a day or a year; it requires, in order to the
full attainment of success,--long, continued and unwearied application.
We make these remarks, because we are not entirely satisfied ourselves,
with _all_ the articles either in prose or verse, admitted into the
present number. We did not think, however, that any of them deserved
exclusion. In some of those which are published, may be perceived
undoubted indications of genius,--and in the rest, evidences of high
capacity to excel.
In noticing some of the pieces, we hope it will not be supposed that we
pass sentence of inferiority upon such as we omit to mention. Our
object is to ask the particular attention of the reader to those which
have afforded us peculiar pleasure.
It is with unalloyed satisfaction, that we continue the very able and
interesting account of "_Tripoli and the Barbary States_." The author
has thrown around authentic narrative, all the charms of romance; and
we perfectly agree with a contemporary editor in this city, that he has
reached in a very high degree the interest and dignity of the true
historic style.
The description of _Howard's Bottom_, under the head of "_Western
Scenery_," will be at once recognized as the production of a practised
and polished pen.
If the "_Hints to Students of Geology_," by an able proficient in the
science, shall serve to stimulate the languor which prevails in
Virginia on that subject, we shall be more than gratified.
In the "_March of Intellect_," by V, there is a singular mixture of the
serious and comic--of truth and caricature--which may not perhaps be
agreeable to all readers. All, however, will concede to the author,
vigor and fertility of mind,--with much of the "_copia verborum_" in
style. We should have taken the liberty to apply the pruning knife to
the luxuriant foliage of the "_Seasons_," from the same pen,--had we
not feared doing some injury to the fruit. The author has only to
cultivate his fine talents, in order to attain a high rank in the art
of composition.
There is a good deal of humor in the description of a Virginia "_Fourth
of July_,"--and we hope the writer will repeat his effort. In the local
and distinctive traits of our national manners, there is a wide field
for the pencil.
With the "_Essay on Luxury_," by B. B. B. H. we have taken some
liberties, and crave his indulgence if we have been too free. Sometimes
the finest thoughts and strongest reasoning, suffer injustice by
inattention to style.
The author of "_Eloquence_" has our earnest exhortations to press on in
the path which leads to renown. If we mistake not, he is actuated by
the noble ambition to acquire distinction.
The "_Valedictory in July 1829_," now for the first time published,
will command attention for the excellence of its precepts and doctrines
upon the all important subject of female education. No one could be
better qualified than the author, to enforce serious truths in a
graceful and agreeable manner.
We beg the reader's particular attention to the original tale of
"_Uncle Simon and the Mechanician_." The author's admirable sketches
derive additional value from the fact that they are not the mere
creations of fancy, but exact copies from nature.
Some of our readers may perhaps complain, that more than a due
proportion of the present number is devoted to the Muses. It may be so;
but our apology is, that some of the pieces have been so long on hand,
that to delay their publication would almost amount to exclusion. If
all the poetry is not of equal quality, there is still enough which is
excellent; enough to demonstrate beyond all question, that if our Bards
would only take courage, and rise superior to the fear of foreign
rivalry, the highest success would crown their efforts. Among the
pieces which have afforded us more than ordinary pleasure, we may be
allowed to enumerate the "_Peasant-Women of the Canaries_," "_The
Heart_," and that which we have taken the liberty to designate by the
title of "_True Consolation_." The oftener that we read these, the more
we like them; but we shall restrain the ardor of our own feelings, lest
our readers should suppose we indulge the presumptuous thought of
influencing their judgments.
It is with real pleasure that we insert two productions from the pen of
the _Hon. R. H. Wilde_. These would be enough of themselves to disprove
the charge of plagiarism preferred against that gentleman during the
Georgia election, in respect to the charming lines which appeared in
our first number, and which we stated were generally ascribed to him.
It is to us passing strange, that the sacred repose of the republic of
letters, should be disturbed by the agitations and conflicts of party
politics. Notwithstanding that the authorship of "_My Life is like the
Summer Rose_," has been confidently claimed by some for O'Kelly, an
Irish poet,--and by others for an ancient Greek bard named Alceus, we
still adhere to the opinion that that beautiful effusion is the bona
fide and genuine offspring of Mr. Wilde's muse. Upon this subject,
however, we shall reserve a more particular expression of our
sentiments for a future number.
We have already expressed our opinion of the bards of Mobile and
Tuscaloosa. May we not expect a continuance of their favors?
The humorous "_Parody on Bryant's Autumn_," or rather on his piece
called the "_Death of the Flowers_," will strike every one acquainted
with the productions of the New York bard, as an admirable imitation of
his style. It is the more excellent, as Bryant's sombre imagery has
been made to assume a light and sportive dress.
We could say much in commendation of many of our other poetical
contributors, if it were not somewhat improper to invade too much the
province of our readers. We hope, therefore, that they will not for a
moment believe that we slight or undervalue their favors.