The Sun.
London, England, 1831-10-25 00:00:00

LITERARY SOUVENIR.

Mr. A. Watts, as a matter of course, prefaces his
present Annual with a grumble. He complains of
the flippant style in which his Souvenirs are usually
noticed by the periodical Press. We know not what
cause he has for complaint on this score. He cannot
surely suppose that the great business of life is to
stand still ; that the momentous news of the day
from all parts of the continent—at a moment too,
when Europe, from one end to the other, is all
earthquake—is to be dismissed, or laid aide un-
til the claims of the " Literary Souvenir" on
public astonishment and admiration are first
satisfied! If he do, we can only say, that he
has less knowledge of the world than we gave
him credit for. But our business just now
is not to find fault—we can assure M. Watts
that we put forth these remarks in a spirit of the
utmost frankness and good humour—but to
praise. Indeed, the " Souvenir" may boldly set cen-
sure at defiance, for nothing can exceed the
beauty of its embellishment+, or the taste and variety
displayed in its literary contents. " The Converse-
zione" is an amusing satirical squib, of a colloquial
character, whose sole defect is, that it is much too
good-humoured. It should either have been more
serious or more sarcastic. Genuine satire should
ever be decided and uncompromising. " Sketches
of Modern Poets" are gracefully and appropriately
expressed. Campbell's is the most characteristic.
The Choice" is penned in an elegant, feminine
spirit. None but a lady of the most refined breed-
ing and accomplished mind could have matured
such a gem. It has all the brilliant polish of ivory
about it. " The Tribute of Arms," by Mrs. Alaric
Watts—the first poetic production we have yet had
the good fortune to see from her pert—is remat kable
for its spirited and melodious versification; it has
dl the chivalrous feeling of Scott, combined with
the full, luxuriant, diction of Mrs. Hemans. She
should encourage this talent ; it seems native to the
soil, and to spring kindly up without force or effort.
Of the embellishments—twelve in number—we shall
simply say we know net one that is not first-rate.
The harmonious blending of the lights and shades
in " Oberwesel on the Rhine" is really matchless.
In Howard's " Numa and Egeria," the sweet, se-
rious face of the prophetic wood-nymph is in the
truest spirit of history. The artist has read Livy
with the feeling of a poet and the tact of a painter.
The " Marchioness of Salisbury" is a less fortunate
production. But of all the graceful countenances
that lend lustre to this Souvenir, commend us to
" Allegia." Oh, the expression of that arch, smil-
ing face; such, with good-nature; and smiling, from
sheer innocence and simplicity ! Care has not vet
darkened the eye of the lovely girl. She is yet in
the first bloom of womanhood, just treading on the
threshold of that world, which some years hence
she may wish she had never entered. But we will
not anticipate misfortune. Shall we ♦enture on a
guess at her future lot ? She will then wed at the
age of twenty-one some dashing stripling, as hand-
some as herself; will have children by the score,
well-wishers by the hundred ; and preserve the
bland expression of those clear, dove-like eyes to
the vety last moment of her existence. Even as a
dowager she will be remarkable for the kindness and
good-humour of her disposition, and expire, as she has
lived, without an enemy. This, criticism perhaps,
may be " flippant," but it is at any rate" short," and,
we would fain hope, " sweet." On the whole, we
consider the " Souvenir" of this year by many de-
grees the first of its class.