Text: Various, “Opinions of the Press,” Southern Literary Messenger (Richmond, VA), vol. I, no. 12, August 1835, covers

[front cover, inside:]

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

From among the numerous and highly complimentary notices of the Messenger which have lately met our eye, we have selected the following, not so much for the peculiarly favorable manner in which they have been pleased to mention the work itself, but as entering, more than usual, into detailed criticism of our separate articles. Such a course is one which we shall hereafter generally adopt, not doubting that it will especially meet with the approbation of our contributors. It will be observed that the opinions generally expressed in relation to some of our principal correspondents, coincide remarkably with each other, and at the same time with those which we have so frequently expressed.

From the Richmond Compiler.

The Editor of the Petersburg Constellation pays the following handsome tribute to the Southern Literary Messenger:

The Southern Literary Messenger. — Punctually as the numbers of this admirable periodical issue from the press of the publisher, do we find a copy upon our table kindly endorsed ‘with the best respects of T. W. White.’ Our remissness in noticing the oft repeated courtesy of our Richmond friend, has more than once inspired us with the fear of being deprived of what has always been to us a rich literary treat, and which has recently become a feast of unrivalled luxury, not only for ours, but for the daintiest palates in the land. We vow, however, to sin no more — for each succeeding month, adding as they have done, interest and value to the pleasure winged ‘Messenger,’ have increased in proportion the burthen of our offences, until

they can be no longer borne by ourself, if they can be by Mr. White. We therefore take up our pen to announce the receipt of the eleventh number of the Southern rival of the Northern Knickerbocker; and if future attention can atone for past neglect, a peace offering from the nib of the best gray goose-quill in our standish, shall be most punctiliously and periodically laid at its inviting shrine. The editor, understood to be E. V. Sparhawk, Esq., a gentleman of fine literary taste and acquirements, most judiciously leaves in the number before us, many o( the best articles to speak for themselves.

Among them, we class the Valedictory of Professor Tucker; the ‘Extract from the Autobiography of Pertinax Placid;’ ‘The Duel,’ by a talented son of the Emerald Isle, now a resident of Henry county in this state; ‘The Visionary,’ by Edgar A. Poe; the admirable answer to ‘Love in a Cottage;’ and the exquisite lines commencing ‘When the cup is pledged and the bright wine is flowing.’ We hope Mr. Pertinax Placid will, in due time, favor us with all the chapters of his Autobiography. The first is excellent, and the more interesting to us, from having (as we verily believe) fixed in our mind's eye at the glance, the identity of the fair ‘Fenelia,’ and of course of the father and son, who simultaneously wooed, and the latter of whom won the lovely prize. We are not so sure but that we could lay our hand upon Sir Pertinax himself — but of that hereafter. We have only time and space left to say, that Virginia — indeed the whole United States, may well be proud of the periodical, for which they are indebted to the enterprise and persevering industry of Thomas W. White of Richmond, one of the worthiest and most deserving men in the Commonwealth.

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From the Winchester Republican.

The Southern Literary Messenger. — The 11th number of this work ought to have been noticed by us long ago. Its contents are generally good, though we must especially notice three among the prose contributions. The first is the Valedictory Address of Professor Tucker; a paper which will not fail to claim the attention of every one who meets with it. The Professor describes the duties as well as the pleasures of his noble profession, in the glowing and beautiful language we might expect from him who has so long been one of its best ornaments.

The Characteristic Differences between the Sexes, is also most ably written; and amid all the story writers of this story writing age, Mr. Poe deserves no small share of encomium. He first touches so beautifully on what is sure to interest the reader — no long-drawn tedious conversations between Polly and John about the weather and the news; no petty details of breakfast, dinner, and supper tables; his sketches are like the pencillings of some eminent painter, just the outline, with all left to the imagination that deserves to be filled by itself.

Some of the remaining pieces might have been improved by a little more labor from their writers. Doubtless they will improve, and we cordially wish the Messenger success.

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From a highly complimentary notice in the Richmond Enquirer we extract the following:

The Literary Messenger is exclusively Southern, and we candidly ask, if the reputation which it has already gained is not a conclusive proof of its inherent merit? If sustained by a generous public, may we not reasonably hope that it will be the means of awakening into energy and action, that slumbering spirit of literature which now wastes itself away in dreamy indolence; and may it not open a lateral path from the crowded highway of politics for those who have not fortitude to endure the sacrifices of party, or the buffets of disappointment? [column 2:]

Most (all) of the articles in the last number are original though it offer [[offers]] a table of interesting contents, we yet miss from its columns the pure taste and fertile pen of the writer on English Poetry. The preceding numbers are graced by the beam and learning of his speculations, and though he labor in a rugged mine, experience teaches him the character, and lends him the power of separating the various strata, whose asperities glow into beauty beneath the delicate touches of his taste. His selections are exquisite and judicious, and he occasionally flashes before the reader some little gem of antique poesy, or some striking outline of the sweetness of that age when Sidney sung and Spenser rhymed. His notes are learned without pedantry, and his criticisms are redolent of a poet's taste, and beaming with a poet's fire. We look for his dissection of the modern poets with some impatience — the moody Byron — the thrilling Scott — the luxurious Moore — the melodious Hemans — the nonsensical L. E. L. — and the thousand other ripples that disport their gaudy spray on the summer surface of the Lake-school. We dare say that he will pronounce ‘the little man of Queen Anne's reign the greatest of them all.”

Nugator is also silent; yet we hope that the polished wit which could extract humor from a Sale at Hoe-Cake Ridge, may turn its laughing eye on the nondescript oddities which lounge on a court-yard, or clamor at an election.

Professor Beverly Tucker's Valedictory Address to his Law Class, is the first article in the eleventh number. Chastely and perspicuously written, it inculcates the duties and honor of the profession, and the manners of the gentleman.

The ‘Letters on the United States, by a young Scotchman,’ are written with spirit and elegance, and boldly dashed with original notions, and delicate satire. ‘Him they called Grayson Griffith.’ Has neither grammar, nor ‘heads and points.’ The ‘Visit to the Virginia Springs, No. III,’ is singularly successful in gaining the attention of the reader; while the tale which follows it, ‘My First Night in a Watch House,’ is characterised by much playful humor, and a polished style.

In this number the learned ‘Dissertation on the Characteristic Differences of the Sexes,’ is continued; yet we miss from its diffusive details that racy gallantry which dawned over its com- mencement. It is an old and well known household shrine on which the chaste Addison and the accomplished Gregory have offered the tribute of their taste and genius ; and the writer deserves much praise for the beautiful drapery which he has flung around the fragments collected from the ‘dry bones’ valley of compilation. His essay is an earnest conflict between a sermon and a poem, we have often paused amid his musical periods, to quarrel with that odd fancy which could so curiously mingle gallantry with theology, and poetry with logic. ‘Lionel Granby, Chapter IV,’ is apparently a tale descriptive of the scenery and manners of Virginia. We can form no conception of the plot or the characters, and as this chapter places the hero in the situation of a lover, we shall there leave him to scuffle for the favor of his mistress, and the notice of our criticism. “The Visionary” is a vivid, inventive, and thrilling sketch — teeming with beautiful language, which has the freshness and volume of the mountain cataract, without its turbulence. There is no bombast in the offspring of this writer, though the dull man will look for it; and we defy the severest critic to find fault with the strength and delicacy of that pencil, which is alternately grasped by a master's hand, or which trembles with a woman's softness. The author has nothing to fear; his genius must light up his onward flight; and with labor and perseverance he will gain that proud fame so beautifully expressed by Beaumont and Fletcher:

—————— ‘I have towered

For victory, like a falcon in the clouds —

Not dig’d for it, like a mole.’

The Reviewer's and Editor's Department, is conducted with great ability, learning, and taste; while the typographical execution of the work happily unites the neatness of the Boston, with the elegance of the London press.

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The following is also an extract from an article in the National Intelligencer, (Washington.)

We know of no Magazine in the country which can compare with it in the amount of valuable matter it contains. A slight improvement, also, in typographical execution, will render it faultless in that respect. When we say all this of a Southern periodical, and one of so recent a standing as the Messenger, we can hardly believe that we have been able to say so much, and say it conscientiously.

Professor Tucker's Valedictory is an admirable address; familiar as it should be, yet profound, and replete with such ad- vice as will be likely to make its way home both to the under- standing and to the hearts of his hearers. The Letter by a Young Scotchman evinces a very just appreciation of our native literature. The sketches of Virginia scenery, viz: The Visit to the Virginia Springs, and Peter's Mountain, are highly interesting. We cannot have too many articles of this nature. The Dissertation on the Characteristic Differences between the Sexes, is an essay of no common order. Although No. II embraces many points of hazardous and difficult discussion, Professor Dew has not failed to handle them with his customary power and success. We should be pleased to see this Dissertation in a more permanent form. It is not too much to say of it, that we have seen nothing of the kind more lucidly or more beautifully written. Lionel Granby, Chapter IV. is the production of a [back cover, inside:] poetical mind. The Visionary, a Tale, by Edgar A. Poe, sustains the high reputation the author has already won as a writer of fiction. The Visionary is decidedly one of his very best effusions.

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From the Norfolk Beacon.

The eleventh number of the Southern Literary Messenger has been received for more than a week, but the pressure of other things prevented us from making a notice of its articles, until they have been perused by the community. The number wears its usual freshness. The address of Professor Tucker exhibits a strong contrast with others of the same class. We have been too much accustomed to look for pompous and formal lectures from a Professor — but the student finds in Professor Tucker an ardent friend and brother. He communes with his class in the affectionate manner, and his advice falls upon the ears of the student with no other authority than that which its wisdom inspires. The address is replete with instruction to the votary of the law, and may his precepts make a deep impression on the rising generation.

We cordially welcome the continuation of Professor Dew's admirable essay on the distinctions of the sexes. The religious differences constitute the subject of the present number. We read it with the same dramatic interest with which we perused its predecessor. The philosophy is just — the logic severe, but simple. But as there can be little doubt of the essay finding its way abroad — bursting the bounds of the Messenger, and establishing an independent sovereignty of its own — in other words, as the essay will probably be republished separately, it becomes the candid critic, who really admire it as a whole, to state wherein it is not precisely what he would have it to be. It has been written with a running pen. The writer was content to demonstrate his proposition, and has seized upon the first words that came to hand. Such a topic requires the highest polish of style; and the writer has let too many vulgarisms slip from him. The punctuation is unique. He should wrap up some of the technical parts of his theme somewhat more closely from common observation. Such phrases as these — ‘when a child comes into the world’ — ‘Jove was the greatest rake in the world,’ &c. are out of place in an elegant essay; there is too much matter of fact in them. There are occasional roughnesses in the style which ought to be smoothed away: a little more attention to the merely ornamental parts, and the essay will surpass any other we have seen on the same subject.

There are other very interesting articles in the present number, but we must pass them over for the present.

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From the Augusta (Geo.) Chronicle

Southern Literary Messenger. — The eleventh number of this very beautiful and ably conducted work is composed entirely of original articles, which are highly interesting and attractive, so far as we have had time to peruse them. Professor Tucker's Valedictory Address to his class, is a very striking and instructive article, eminently worthy the careful attention of the student and young practitioner of law. No. II of Professor Dew's able and admirable ‘Dissertation on the Characteristic Differences between the Sexes,’ will be read with great pleasure and profit. ‘The Visionary,’ a Tale, by Edgar A. Poe, is a wild, imaginative, romantic tale, full of deep interest, which however is left too much ungratified. ‘Grayson Griffith’ is a tolerably good moral tale, but rather too lackadaical: yet we cannot agree with the editor in the innocence of ‘a social game at whist,’ and think the author has very correctly and strikingly depicted it as the great, fruitful source of S gambling and gamblers, which the former so much detests. From long and careful observation, we are satisfied that the seeds of gambling, as of all other moral diseases, are mostly sown in youth, and that the children of those families where cards and dice are prohibited, seldom, very seldom, become gamblers. The same too, may be said of drinking. Let parents avoid drinking, or swearing, lying, or cheating, &c. &c. if they would have their children avoid such vices, and they will find their good precepts much more successful I when accompanied by good practice Chapter I of ‘Extracts from the Autobiography of Pertinax Placid,’ is interesting and well written, but rather too much given to levity and frivolity, at least in its incidents, and choice of a subject. The poetical department is rich and varied, as usual, and contains several bright and beautiful gems.

We are gratified to see that the Messenger continues to receive a liberal patronage from this state, as well as from this city — a fact no less creditable to the state and city, than to the work itself — and sincerely hope that [column 2:] it may increase a hundred fold, here and elsewhere, and enable the patriotic and public-spirited proprietor and conductors to do all they are evidently able to do for the literary improvement and character of the South.

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From the New York Evening Star.

Southern Literary Messenger. — We have received the tenth number of this well conducted periodical, and have read it through with great pleasure. In the present instance we wish to be understood literally, for, multifarious as are our occupations, we always strive to find time to peruse a review which contains so much interesting and original matter as the one before us. The contributors to the Messenger arc among the chief literary characters of the Union ; and we observe, with no little pride, that Mrs. Willard, of the city of Troy, in our own state, has enriched the present number with some poetical effusions, which are in the highest degree creditable to her.

‘My Daughter's Lullaby,’ by an unknown correspondent, contains some beautiful lines, which, hereafter, we will insert in our own columns. The scene from ‘ Arnold and Andre,’ an unpublished drama, by the author of Herbert Barclay, &c. is written with an inspiration well worthy the subject. There is a fine and impassioned vein of poetry running throughout

it. We wish that our poets would oftener sink their shafts into the almost unquarried mine of the revolution. What a glorious field for their imaginings does this heroic age of our country present: and how many dramas might be written with the exploits and the sufferings of our patriot forefathers for a theme.

The article on English Poetry is evidently written by one who is versed in the art of criticism, and contains many original thoughts, differing from received opinions; but to our taste, its air is rather scholastic, and better fitted for the lecture room of a college than for the reader of a magazine. The great and leading poets of our literature are reviewed, but the many shining lights of less magnitude are passed over. — Spenser, and Shakspeare, and ‘Glorious Ben,’ are honorably mentioned, but of the host of their dramatic contemporaries, if not compeers, we find not a word. And so too, of Herrick and Carew, two of the sweetest of our lyric and amative poets. Surely they at least deserve a place with Cowley. But we will not quarrel with the author for following in the footsteps of almost every critic on English poetry. It has been the fate of some of our rarest bards to remain unnoticed by posterity; and we think he would deserve well of the world, who should remove them from the oblivion in which they repose, and restore them to the light of day. We take leave of the Messenger with a reiteration of what we have so often expressed, that it is a periodical honorable to the literature of our country and entitled to rank with the highest in the land.

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From the Alexandria Gazette.

We have read with great satisfaction the last number of Mr. White's Southern Literary Messenger. Among the articles that we particularly admire is Judge B. Tucker's Valedictory Address to his Law Class.

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From the New York Evening Star.

The 11th No. of the Southern Literary Messenger is upon our table. Although we have only been able to give its contents a hasty perusal, we take much pleasure in again recommending to the favorable notice of our readers a publication of equal merit with any of the periodicals. The articles in the present number in general display much ability.

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From the Lynchburg Virginian.

The eleventh number of the Southern Literary Messenger is winning golden opinions from all quarters. — Professor Dew's Dissertation on the Characteristic Differences between the sexes is universally eulogized as the best production of the kind extant.