between carping at the deficiencies, and condemning the faults,
of others, and that of _avoiding faults_ and _supplying
deficiencies_, and losing sight, also, of the important
truism, that knowledge derived from experience even, in order
to subserve any useful purpose, either in authorship or in
its application to business, must be drawn from _successful_
experience, many of our book-mongers seem to take it for
granted, that to be able to raise plausible objections to
the books that have fallen in their way, and to profess
experience in teaching a particular science, constitute the
grand climacteric of all that is requisite in order to form a
successful _writer_ upon that science. But it is not the man
who has merely _taught_, or who has taught _long_, or who is
able to point out _defects_ in authors, that is capable of
enlightening the world in the respective sciences which have
engaged his attention; but the man who has taught _well_. It
is the man of genius and enterprise; he who has brought to
the task of his calling uncommon powers of discrimination,
and a sound judgment, and whose ambition has led him not to
rest satisfied with following the tedious routine of his
predecessors, but _to strike out a new and a better track_, or
at least to render smoother and brighter the path long trodden.
It is to such men, and such only, that we are indebted for all
our great improvements in the construction of elementary works
for schools and private learners.'
S. KIRKHAM.
_New-York, July 25, 1837._
FOOTNOTES:
[7] A short time since, Goold Brown stated to the writer, that 'in
eleven years he had received but just nine hundred dollars for
copy-right.'
[8] I can name the time and place. It occurred at the funeral of
Aaron Ely.
* * * * *
NEWSPAPORIAL.--Our readers are not ignorant of the high estimate
which we place upon the 'NEW-YORKER' weekly journal. For industry,
talent, interest, and general usefulness, we scarcely know its
superior. In a recent eloquent appeal to the justice of its numerous
delinquent subscribers, it announces that hereafter, owing to the
pressure of the times, it can only be afforded at three dollars per
annum for the folio, and four dollars for the quarto edition; at the
same time giving notice, that it will credit all payments, until the
first of November, at the original price of two and three dollars.
THE SUNDAY MORNING NEWS, already well established in reputation,
and very widely circulated, has received a valuable addition to its
attractions, in the accession of JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, ESQ., formerly
of the 'Ladies' Companion,' and Mr. JOHN JAY ADAMS, to its editorial
department.
'HUDSON'S EXPRESS' is the title of a new and well-conducted daily
journal, of the smaller class. It is under the editorial supervision,
as we learn, of JOSEPH PRICE, ESQ., recently, and for a considerable
period, Editor of the New-York Mirror.
* * * * *
PARK THEATRE.--The season at this house commenced under a sad
disappointment. The public had been led to anticipate the pleasure
of listening again to the magic tones of Mrs. WOOD, and of revelling
in that intellectual delight which all have fell who have heard her
exquisite performances in opera. But alas! their hopes were blasted,
and the manager's prospects of a rich harvest somewhat diminished, by
the news that unavoidable circumstances will prevent our old friends
from visiting us so soon as was anticipated. We still hope that the
season will not entirely pass away, without being marked by their
distinguished performances. In opera, however, we have had, during
the month, in Miss HORTON, a singer whose exertions have served to
keep alive the growing musical taste of the Park audiences. Mr.
HORN, with a voice absolutely regenerated, and BROUGH, with his deep
thunder-tones, have sustained the tenor and contralto, and by their
united efforts given effect to our old favorites, 'La Somnambulé,'
'Cinderilla,' 'Fra Diavolo,' and the 'Frieschutz.' Miss Horton
merits no small praise for the able manner in which she has given
the elaborate music of these operas, all made sacred by, and become
as it were identified with, a missing artiste. The style of Miss
Horton is so highly finished and pure, and governed by so much taste
and judgment, that her execution is as easy, smooth, and tranquil,
as the gentle current of a brook. She makes no effort which she does
not accomplish. There is no attempt at the grand and astonishing; she
is content to give the music of her author, without gilding it (as
is too often attempted) by roulades and cadenzas, altogether foreign
to the genius of the music, and the intentions of the composer. Miss
Horton's voice is a limited soprano, but so sweet and sonorous, even
in its harshest tones, that the hearer is compensated for its want of
power, in the exquisite delicacy of its cadence, while the finished
effect which it affords to the most minute passages of the music, is
a worthy compensation for a lack of any of those whirlwinds of power
with which it seems the intention of some prima donnas of the present
day to overwhelm an audience, and 'snatch nine souls out of one
weaver.'
Mr. BROUGH has passed his time profitably during his absence from us.
His voice has become even more rich and powerful than when he left
us, while his acting and mariner upon the stage have received much
amendment. His 'Dandini' is equal to the best, and his performance
of 'Basil,' in the 'Marriage of Figaro,' altogether _beyond_ the
best, that we have ever witnessed at the Park. Mr. HORN's voice has
recovered itself to a miracle. Indeed, it has gone somewhat beyond
its best quality of former days. It has acquired a mellowness and a
power 'which were not so before.' With the great musical genius and
acquirements of Mr. HORN, it will be his own fault if he does not
take that high stand as a performer, which he has so long enjoyed
as a composer and professor in his noble science. We have not had
opera alone at the Park. Tragedy and comedy (in which latter Mr.
HILL, more clever and cute than ever, has been conspicuous,) have
had their turns, and in some instances have been ably sustained in
their _principal_ characters. As for filling either tragedy or comedy
_completely_ with the present ingredients which go to make up what
is called the 'stock company' of the Park Theatre, the effort would
be as vain as an attempt to portray all the colors of the rainbow
with blue and crimson. Mr. WILLIS's Tragedy of 'Bianca Visconti' was
represented in the early part of the month; and notwithstanding the
draw-back of very indifferent acting, in the principal character, and
the worse than bad acting of some of the minors, it met with much
success. The play will be found noticed at length in another place.
Mrs. SHARPE has been delighting her old admirers, and many new ones,
by her vivacity and truth in comedy. She has long been absent from
the Park boards, and has returned, we are happy to say, with renewed
health, and a spirit as earnest as ever to instruct and delight. Her
performances in tragedy with Mr. FORREST, the improvement of that
gentleman, the addition of Mrs. RICHARDSON, (umqwhile our favorite
Mrs. CHAPMAN,) to the Park company, are all subjects of gratulation
and comment, but are too late for the present number.
C.
* * * * *
AMERICAN THEATRE, BOWERY.--Early in the month, Mr. BOOTH went through
his usual round of characters at this establishment, before large
audiences, and with triumphant success. We had the great pleasure
to attend upon his personation of Richard III. and Sir Giles
Overreach, and are free to say, that we never saw the representation
of either character excelled. That of Sir Giles, especially, was
_masterly_, beyond any previous effort of the actor. The interest
was so intense, during the last scene, that a play-bill, falling
from some 'rapt god' in the gallery, eddied _audibly_ down into the
pit, amid the 'shuddering stillness' which the great power of the
artist had created, even in a theatre never remarkable for silence.
It was emphatically the triumph of mind over matter. We can say
little either for Mr. or Mrs. HIELD, who were announced in large
letters. The acting of the former, particularly in 'A New Way to Pay
Old Debts,' was beneath criticism. He evidently never _studied_ the
character which he assumed, but was content to skim the superfices,
and leave the rest to rant and fustian. Surely this course, on the
part of one in whose _professional_ countenance inanity seems to
contend with grimace, and whose gestures and action are not unlike
those of a galvanized baboon, is very unwise. Mrs. HIELD has great
energy of action, but unfortunately the unpardonable fault of
emulating her husband in over-doing every thing. The features of her
expressive but plain face, owing to this cause, seem to be worked by
a secret forty-horse power. The engagement of these performers, in
conjunction with so intellectual and capable an artist as Mr. BOOTH,
must be considered as ill-advised and unfortunate.
* * * * *
NATIONAL THEATRE.--We shall hereafter preserve a record, somewhat in
detail, of the performances at this very superior establishment. Mr.
WALLACK has fully redeemed his promise to the public, by bringing
together the best stock company in the city, and by already producing
three or four stars of the first magnitude, in their several spheres.
Of Mr. VANDENHOFF, who has at once established among us the high
reputation which had preceded him from England, as a tragedian,
we shall speak more at large in our next number. Miss Turpin in
opera, and Mr. BROWN and Mr. WILLIAMS in comedy, have won, in a few
evenings' performance, the high professional standing which their
merits are so well calculated to command. The WALLACKS, themselves
'hosts,' it would be supererogation to praise. In brief, in the
legitimate drama, and in order and correct stage management, the
National holds an honorable prëeminence.
* * * * *
THE OLYMPIC.--This new establishment has taken the town by surprise,
in one respect at least. It is the most beautiful theatre on the
Atlantic sea-board. Its decorations, scenery, etc., are rich and
tasteful; the entire stage is carpeted, the stage-management is
well conducted, and both in internals and externals, it reflects
credit upon the liberality and taste of the proprietors. We have
been unable, as yet, to attend upon any of the performances; but are
informed that they have been highly creditable, bringing out Mr.
BARRETT, Mrs. MAEDER, (CLARA FISHER.) Mr. FLINN, Mr. GATES, and other
Thespians of eminence. We wish the 'Olympic' success, which we doubt
not it will command by deserving it.
* * * * *
DUBUFE'S DON JUAN AND HAIDEE.--The time of this picture is when
Lambro, the father of HAIDEE, surprises her with DON JUAN; and the
scene is too well known to require description. The painting itself
is beyond comparison, in richness, beauty, and effect, the finest
effort of art yet exhibited in this country. We shall not attempt
a detailed sketch of its numerous points of attraction; but simply
enjoin upon all who may read this paragraph, within an hour's walk or
ride of the Stuyvesant Institute, to repair thither 'at the meetest
vantage of the time,' to become for a season 'dazzled and drunk with
beauty.' At the same exhibition-rooms, is another painting by DUBUFE,
of 'St. John in the Wilderness.' It is a faultless production.
* * * * *
LANDSCAPE GARDENING AND RURAL TASTE.--A correspondent has elsewhere
touched upon these themes, and we are glad to perceive that they
are attracting something of public attention. The want of taste of
which the writer complains, is but too general. Propriety and beauty
of location, in our cities, even, are often sacrificed to the mere
external ornaments of the edifice itself. Speaking of a picturesque
and pleasant mansion near London, COOPER sarcastically observes: 'We
should pull the building down, if we had it in New-York, because it
does not stand on a thoroughfare, where one can swallow dust free
of cost.' There is a good deal of truth in this. A superior house
may not unfrequently be seen here also, occupying, by choice of
the owner, some such 'cheerful position' as KNICKERBOCKER's hotel,
which 'commanded a pleasant view of the rear of the poor-house
and bridewell, and the front of the hospital.' Our country-seats,
too, are still sometimes chosen, as formerly, if we may believe
our venerable foster-father, the pleasant _locale_ being often 'on
the borders of a salt marsh; subject, indeed, to be occasionally
overflowed, and much infested in the summer-time with musquitoes,
but _otherwise_ very agreeable,' producing abundant crops of salt
grass and delicate bulrushes. In England, says IRVING, the rudest
habitation, the most unpromising portion of land, in the hands of a
person of taste, becomes a little paradise. 'The sterile spot grows
into loveliness under his hand; and yet the operations of art which
produce the effect are scarcely to be perceived. The cherishing and
training of some trees; the cautious pruning of others; the nice
distribution of flowers and plants of tender and graceful foliage;
the introduction of a green slope of velvet turf; the partial opening
to a peep of blue distance, or silver gleam of water--all these are
managed with a delicate tact, a pervading, yet quiet assiduity, like
the magic touchings with which a painter finishes up a favorite
picture.' What might not portions of America be made, under the
influence of similar action?
* * * * *
VOCAL MUSIC.--Mr. H. RUSSELL has recently visited us again,
delighting thousands with his soul-stirring music. His late concert
at the City Hotel was crowded with the élite of the city; and he gave
many of his old, and one or two new productions, with surpassing
effect. Indeed, his superior has never been among us. If we might
be thought worthy to advise, however, we would counsel our friend,
as he journeys eastward, to omit the perusal of the long letter,
before singing the pretty song of 'Woodman, Spare that Tree!' by
our contemporary, COL. MORRIS. We but speak the sentiments of a
large majority present at the concert, when we say, that the perusal
referred to is in exceeding bad taste, and altogether unnecessary,
since the lines need no explanation. Any person can understand them,
who understands any thing; and a long preface to that old and noble
song, 'The Brave Old Oak,' which has quite the same general features,
would be equally appropriate. We must not omit saying a word for Mr.
BROUGH, Mr. EDWIN, and Mrs. WATSON. They sang with their accustomed
skill and feeling; and a Miss LEWIS acquitted herself with great
credit.
* * * * *
LITERATURE OF THE WEST.--A kind friend, himself possessed of one of
the finest minds in the West, thus speaks, (and he speaks truly, as
we have often contended,) of the literary capabilities of the West.
'There is,' says he, 'more racy, original talent in the West, than
you easterns dream of.' * * * 'The day is approaching, when a voice
shall come out of the West, that will do honor to a dozen of the most
worthy and intellectual young men which any section of our Union
contains. We have the greatest country that the sun looks down upon;
and before we all get gray, we will prove that our pretensions to
intellectual vigor and originality are not unfounded. All we ask is
a chance; and that must, in the natural course of things, transpire,
before many thousand suns go down. Mind, Sir, I point my long
fore-finger at you, and tell you so!'
* * * * *
A NEW ORTHOGRAPHY.--We have been not a little amused, in perusing a
communication recently received from a correspondent in the western
part of this state, wherein the writer gravely proposes an entire
change in the present mode of spelling English words. His own plan
may be gathered from the first paragraph of his article, which we
subjoin, wherein it is shadowed forth. The writer seems sanguine in
relation to his naked theory, which might help many of the English
Grub-street brotherhood, (vide COOPER,) in their slip-shod and
difficult labors for the press; but when a printed book shall be
extant, after this fashion of orthography, we think the general ear
will be erect to devour it up. Seriously, our correspondent must be
aware that he has a 'sinewy opposite' to encounter in the tyrant
Custom; and he will find that if he were to wear a gross of quills to
the pith in setting forth and defending his project, it would avail
him little. Sertinli, the 'hul sistim' iz a veri kuris propozishin on
hiz part, and tharfore we giv our rederz a smol spesmen:
'MR. EDETUR: It haz ben sed that ourz iz an aje ov improvement,
and most emfaticalli it iz so. Siens, which waz wonse but
an objekt ov wonder and kuriositi, iz now the handmade ov
the arts. Mind, itself uninteligibel and inexplorabel, haz
drawn aside the vale that hid from the vu ov the anshunts
the suttel lawz ov nachur, and the operashun ov thoze lawz,
and exhibited the hul sistem az won vast but simpel mashene,
regulated by undeviating and universal prinsipelz. It haz brot
into subjekshun powerz which ware bi the anshunts konsidered
the mirakulus ofspring ov supernal beingz. It haz turned aside
the liteningz ov heven, and subjekted tu itz purposez thingz
not rekognized bi the sensez. Evri thing around us barez ampel
prufe ov the onward march ov impruvement. Ol that relates
tu the plazure, and bizines, whether moral, intelekchual or
fizikal, ov life, exibits rezerch and refinement. Evri thing
haz undergone, or iz undergoing, a radikal chanje, thröing of
its stamp ov rude ineleganse, and assuming the form and polish
ov rich purfekshun; _ol but the orthografi ov our languaje_;
and that, in an aje ov intelekchual glori, retanze ol the
kumbrus deformiti ov Gothik rudenes. No adeqate attempt haz
ben made tu smuthe down itz ruf fechurz, and bring it tu the
modern standard ov perfekshun, simplisiti. And if simplisiti
iz the standard ov buti and perfekshun in ani thing, it shud
emfaticalli be so in relashun tu the use ov thoze sinze or
simbolz that purtane tu the expresshun ov our ideaz. Yet our
orthografi prezentz a konfuzed jumbel ov inkongruus speling,
without sistem or proprieti. Sum letterz having the distinkt
sound ov thre, others ov tu, and mani wordz having won, tu,
thre, and fore, silent letterz.'
The writer here goes at large into diverse illustrations, which we
must beg leave to decline publishing. At the same time, we fully
agree with our correspondent, that our language needs simplifying,
in many respects; that _governour_, _errour_, and _colour_, are a
little too strongly spelled; and that domestick and 'sheep-tick' do
not imperatively require the same termination. But our friend goes
too far. He altogether 'out-Grimkes GRIMKE.' Can he not labor in the
circle of reform, 'without a reel or stagger to the circumference,' a
fault so common and so reprehensible?
* * * * *
NEW-YORK COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS.--We gather from a
circular of the trustees of the College of Physicians and Surgeons
of New-York, that a new, large, and commodious edifice, now in
progress of completion, and admirably adapted for the purposes
to which it is to be devoted, will be finished in season for the
ensuing course of lectures, which are to be of the most extensive
character, and to embrace every department of medical science.
Anatomical investigations will be pursued under peculiar advantages,
the supply of subjects for dissection being abundant and cheap. The
anatomical museum has been greatly increased, and is amply provided
with preparations for the illustration of a full course of lectures.
The obstetrical museum, and the cabinet of materia medica, are well
supplied with preparations in wax, drawings, and specimens; each
subject of medical jurisprudence is illustrated by preparations
and plates, and tests of every article of poisons are exhibited in
detail; all chemical subjects are illustrated by actual experiment,
through the medium of a superior chemical apparatus; the theory
and practice of physic is constantly illustrated by visits to the
New-York hospital; general, surgical, and pathological anatomy will
be illustrated by preparations, plates, and dissections on the
subject; while the lectures on physiology will embrace all the known
laws of the animal economy. Among other important acquisitions, may
be mentioned that of ALBAN G. SMITH, M.D., late Professor of Surgery
in the Medical College of Ohio, who assumes the chair of Surgery, and
that of Dr. BRIGHAM, of Connecticut, who fills a new professorship
of Special Anatomy. In short, every provision has been made for a
medical college of the first order of excellence. It can scarcely
fail, therefore, of entire success.
LITERARY RECORD.
THE 'ALBION'--PORTRAIT OF MISS TREE.--The Albion of the 16th
September contains a full length portrait of Miss ELLEN TREE, in the
character of 'Ion,' which is one of the most exquisite engravings, in
large quarto, ever presented to American readers. It is engraved by
DICK, from a superior London lithograph, with recent corrections of
the likeness, by HENRY INMAN, ESQ., to whom Miss TREE gave a sitting
for the purpose. The terms of the 'Albion' are but six dollars per
annum, for which an amount of the best selected periodical literature
of England and Scotland, larger by far than can be presented in any
similar journal, is given, in an exceedingly neat and tasteful form.
Among the various interesting papers in recent numbers, we remark a
new and extended 'passage' from the 'Diary of a London Physician,'
unexcelled in power by any of its predecessors. Five dollars will
insure a subscription to the Albion for ten months, including the
superb portrait mentioned above. The publication office is at No. 1
Barclay-street, opposite the Astor-House.
LONDON SCRAP PRINT REPOSITORY.--We have pleasure in calling public
attention to an establishment recently opened by Mr. A. LOWE, at No.
4 White-street, one door from Chapel, where the agency of ROBINS'
well-known 'Gallery of Fine Arts' will be kept, together with
scrap-prints of every description, including views in London, England
generally, Wales, etc., with fancy female portraits, in costume,
colored, together with the humorous sketches of the world-renowned
CRUIKSHANK. We can heartily commend the fine views in Robins'
'Gallery,' and the laughable sketches of 'G. C.'
'NEW-BRIGHTON MIRROR.'--This is a very beautiful quarto publication,
modelled after the manner of its New-York archetype, which it equals
in typographical properties, and is tastefully and judiciously cared
for, in point of literary matter. The first number is adorned with
an engraving by ROLPH, from a painting by CHAPMAN, representing
New-Brighton rising like a sweet creation of enchantment from the
silver bosom of our glorious bay, with all its graceful edifices,
and the noble, dome-crowned 'Pavilion' of that accomplished host,
MILFORD, 'prëeminent by ample odds,' swelling up in the midst. It is
a charming picture of a most delightful spot; and the journal which
presents it is worthy of both. Success to it.
POEMS BY THE 'AUTHOR OF LACON.'--A friend recently from England
has kindly favored us with several brief articles of poetry, upon
miscellaneous subjects, written by Rev. C. C. COLTON, author of
'Lacon,' which have never been published in this country. They are
from the original manuscript, in the possession of an intimate friend
of the gifted but eccentric author, and are characterized by that
sententiousness and force for which the writer was so distinguished.
They will grace our pages at intervals, hereafter.
PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT, ESQ.--A late number of the
'New-York Mirror,' well supplied in its literary department,
contained an admirably-engraved likeness, from a painting by INMAN,
of this eminent American poet. It is one of three similar portraits
which have preceded it, of FITZ-GREENE HALLECK and N. P. WILLIS. The
three are alike excellent, both as correct portraits and works of art.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Note:
Valid archaic spellings have been retained (for example: ecstacy and
extacy variants are listed in 1828 or 1913 dictionaries, and so are
retained).