The Sun.
London, England, 1852-08-16 00:00:00

SUN,

LITERATURE.
THE POETICAL WORKS OF J. R.
LOWELL. Routledge.
American literature, it deficient in other respects,
has not proved so in the minor effusions of poetry.
Its historical department has been embellished by the
luminous works of Prescott, and by the thoughtful
writings of Bancroft. Its treasures of prose fiction
consist for the most part of the stories of Irving—the
Goldsmith of the United States—of the weird crea-
tions of Poe, of the domestic tales of Hawthorne, and
of the incomparable nautical romances of Cooper.
Its ethical productions of importance are almost re-
stricted to the eloquent essays of Channing. Its phi-
losophy has been advanced mainly, if not solely, by
the eccentric and remarkable genius of Emerson. If
the illustrators of the intellectual capacity of the
children of the new world are found to be thus few
in the departments of the annalist, the novelist, the
ecclesiastic, and the metaphysician—they are found,
on the contrary, to be very numerous in poetry, more
particularly when partaking of the character of the
lyrical and didactic. It would be difficult to give a
complete catalogue of those who have already vindi-
cated their title to fame in this way, by their exqui-
site contributions to American literature. Who that
has ever read them, does not love " The Raven " of
Poe, and the " Psalm of Life" of Longfellow ? Who
that has ever listened to them does not hear in affec •
tionate remembrance the musical " Bells " of the
former, or of the latter the tender and elevating
pathos of " Evangeline ?" Besides Poe and Long-
fellow, there are a crowd of others—there is the
religious muse of Emerson, and the idyllic
muse of Bryant, there is Willis, there is
Whittier, there is Dana, there is Street, there is
Lowell, there is Holmes, there is Sigourney. We
might continue for a long time adding name to name
in this pleasant catalogue. Our present intention
does not require this. What we have to do now is
simply to accord a word of welcome, well deserved,
to a cheap and excellent reprint of these writers now
being brought out in successive pocket-volumes, by
Mr. Boutledge. In this manner, we have here lying
before us a charming little book, comprising, within
the compass of 334 pages, the poetical effusions of one
of not the least eminent among the minor poets above
enumerated—James Russell Lowell. Born in 1819,
Lowell (the son of the Rev. Dr. Lowell, of Boston)
is, consequently, thirty-three years of age. He ap-
pears to have been educated at Harvard College,
where, when twenty, he graduated. His verses
have already secured to him an extensive popularity
throughout the United States, their mingled
ahttwo
sweet-
ness
y lo longest
a rgnerdaedi
la— egrail—and'
animation
beingngb pieces,
The
Legend
i tngee
g one
, ne,r y
d Fableof
" The Vision of Sir Launfar'—a vision anent the
of t
h Brittany"feor t
hmoste
ear ri
te agreeableictsh.
Through the medium of this London edition of his
works we anticipate that Lowell will secure no tri-
vial extension of his reputation.
very

THE POETICAL WORKS OF 0. W.
HOLME S. Routledge.
Holmes constitutes another in this welcome series
of reprints of the minor poets of America. Oliver
liVindell Holmes, born on the 29th of August, 1809,
is consequently ten years the senior of Lowell, being
forty-three years of age. His birth-place was Cam-
bridge, in Massachusetts. His father was the Rev.
Dr. olmes, well known in the United States as an
historian. Like the young poet before mentioned,
like Daniel Webster, and many other illustrious
citizens of the Transatlantic Republic, Holmes re-
ceived his education in Harvard University. His
poetical capacities are principally humorous—his
name being regarded by the generality of his coun-
trymen as that of the Hood of America. Several of
the pieces given in the volume under notice suffi•
ciently attest his right to the designation. Who can
help roaring at the preposterous fun of his lines
" To the Portrait of a Gentleman" beginning ?
" It may be so,—perhaps thou hest
A warm and loving heart;
I will not blame thee for thy face,
Poor devil as thou art."
How painfully he particularizes the features—
" That thing thou fondstly deem'st a nose,
Unsightly though it be,—
In spite of all the cold world's scorn,
It may be much to thee."
Then—the eyes—
" Those eyes—among thine elder friends
Perhaps they pass for blue;
No matter—if a man can see,
What more have oyes to do?"
Then—the mouth—
" Thy mouth—that fissure in thy face
By something like a chin—
May be a very useful place
To put thy victual in."
The abilities of Holmes, however, are by no means
restricted to the ludicrous in versification. He can
be both graceful and pathetic at pleasure. Witness
this his poem called " Astrma; as well as several
other pieces of a fugitive character. Like our own
Akenside, Holmes has been enabled to obtain dis-
tinction as a man of letters while practising as a
physician.

QUEEN'S THEATRE ROYAL.
Last night, before the opening of the doors, a con
siderable amount of excitement prevailed among the
crowds assembled, and on admission being given a
rush took place which soon filled all parts of the house.
The great attraction consisted in this simple an-
nouncement wherewith the entertainments of the
evening were introduced—" First appearance of Mr.
Henry Bedford." During his permanent engage-
ment at the Queen's Theatre, the blended racy wit
and dry humour which characterised Bedford's acting
made him an immense favourite with the audience;
and although professional jealousy has been busy at
work to depreciate his success in England, it crept
forth nevertheless that, whenever an opportunity was
afforded him, he fully maintained his fame as a gifted
and original actor. His return, therefore, to the
scene of his first triumphs, was hailed with unlimited
gratification by his many admirers.
The comedy selected for his first appearance was
Paul Pry, and when he entered with the "I hope-I-
don't-intrude " observation, the shout of welcome that
gain did be
he received surpassed any similar demonstration that
aAn'edrae the peals of
thank ec
entsl T
awn
di t na
ge sandai
aggaai
inn
bwoew his h
applause renewed, a reception that evidently very
deeply affected him. On several occasions during the
progress of the play these demonstrations of welcome
were repeated, and really, let him gain what celebrity
he may in the Sister Island—and of celebrity he is
certain--he must always remember with grateful plea-
sure the cordiality of his Dublin friends.
His acting is as full of racy humour as ever, blend-
ing the best elements of the quaintly comic and the
broadly farcical ; and the shouts of laughter and
applause that attended him till the falling of the cur-
tain were as amply deserved as they were unreservedly
bestowed. He was well supported by the stock com-
pany ; and the comedy altogether was excellently
cast, and creditably maintained.
In the interlude of Seeing Bedford be was greeted
with renewed cordiality; and his John Downey was
as full of fun as usual. Barrett, Mrs. Goward, and
the remainder of the performers, supported him
efficiently.—Dublin Evening Packet.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
COWES, AUG. 15.
ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE.
GENERAL MEETING.—At a general meeting of the
members on Friday the following members were pre-
sent:—Commodore the Earl of Wilton, C. R.
G. Lumleay"
Tal-
bot, Esq., M.P., Vice-Commodore the Marquis of Au-
glesey, the Marquis Conyngham, Viscount Exmouth,
Sir Bellingham Graham, Bart., Sir John Rivett Carna
Bart., J. Petre, Esq., R. Frankland, Esq., W. Lyon,e,
Esq., Almon Hill. Esq., A. Fontaine, Esq., Si; J.
Bayley, Bart., F. P. Delm6 Radcliffe, a Edward
Hulse, ..' ''--.Ward.
George Sinclair . Triton, Esc?,
Hulse, Esq., Joseph Gee,. Esq., W. B. Ponsonby, Em
tons; Thomas Littledale, Ariel
William Peareth, Esq., Sir H. Oglander, R.
Riq , Joseph Reynolds, Esq.
.The following were
elected members:—The Marquis of Bath, Lew
schooner, 188 tons; John Henry. Ewes, Esq., Fairy
o ric
e n
schooner, 125 tons. As honorary members—Commander
schooner,aschlo.lo6ner
650;
Oliver J. Jones, R.N., Commander John M. Neelo Boyd,
R.N., Commander Hyde Parker, R.N. Commander
uor, R.N. Resolved unanimously, that John Bates,.
Esq late secretary of the Royal Yacht Squadron, be
elected without subscription an honorary member for

be sailed
August 19,
life.
sCqutipadrvioilni Que
The Royal Yacht Squadron Regatta Commences A
Tuesday next. The first match is for her Majesty'sCrlll
by all the cutter yachts of the squadron. The following
are entered:--Aurora, Le Marchant Thomas, Es
4g
tons'; Lavrock, Captain C. Hamlyn Williams, R.,3:, ;
tons; Arrow, Thomas Chamberhune, Esq., iof
to:
On Wednesday, August 18, the pilot vessels sail, and
fashion-
ity.s. dinner takes place U❑ Thursday, Au the s.
hr:irs
bßyoytahlellsci Highness Pyrai tclhc et s Aolfb, echo t's
at nine
Cup c,.urse, to start at eleven u clock; firewod% en s
o'clock in the evening. Friday, August 20, the R.y.s.
annual ball. Saturday, August 21, the RIC,s, cup
value 100 soverrigns, open to all yachts of the Nuadret:
and to all foreign yachts; course, round the Isle of
Wight.
The Vice-C riamodore entertained the Earl and Conn
of Wilton, the MaTqUiS and Marchioness of Aileh-
bury, the
bles on board his yacht, the Capricorn, 313 tons, on
Saturday,
Marquis of Bath, and a large party of

thcoming series of
„, 111" RY RUSSELL.—It is now some time since this
most Popular of descriptive vocalists has appeared in the me-
tropolis,ibr and it may, therefore, be naturally expected that his
eeum r
heatre on the 30th inst., will be attended with the
-Journal, has recentl received an
most complete success. " The Far West" has, we believe,
performances, commencing at the Ly.
penetrated all the provincial quarters of England, and has
not failed to sustain the well-earned reputation of its author.
A son of Mr. lit-rnarnan, editor of the Newcastle
ent as Inspector
of Government Schools,with 1 ry of 5001.—Carlisle
with a a .
Journal.appointment