Text: Edward V. Sparhawk, “Editorial Remarks,” Southern Literary Messenger (Richmond, VA), vol. I, no. 9, May 1835, p. 531

[page 531, column 1, continued:]

EDITORIAL REMARKS.

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 [column 2:] 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.