Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-09-26
ALEX ANDRIA:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1878.

The first writes for emolument the Sc
cond tor fame the third to getquit ola
few ideas, which is occasionally a relief
from the avpcations Of this grea: humbug,
called the world.
Its principally in the pcetical and bellies
lettres publications of the day that is to be
found much interest or enjoyment.
Religion, or what passes under that sa-
cred name, has latterly taken such colossal
strides, and assumed such an austere as
pect, that for my own part | affect not to
follow her; for the day when Blair's* Ser
mons, as well as his Lectures, were much
read and deservedly admired, has passed
by-and regret it. (Tbe best negat~e
description Of preacher that ever met
with is in that moral writer Cowper's Task. }
Essays, such as those Of Dugald oteuart,
professor in Edinburgh) although admira-
BILE in style, and profound in abstract and
in metaphysical disquisition, do not pro-
perry appertain to the columns Of news
paper.
The labored critque on the Loo-Chooans,
which sometime ago appeared in your CO.
lumns, must have palled the readers Of voy-
ages.-.4propos, an amiable, pure, vir-
tuous, simple people of nature, inhabiting
second Arabia Felix, who treat their
wives, or women, far worse than Mussulmen
do, is most interesting sentimental verbage.
For my own part, the history Of the Cuans
of ella Vendee,p by their heroine COM
mander La Roche Jacqueline, is infinitely
more attractive, think.
We come then to poetry.
II is gratifying to live at period when
such poets as Byron, Scott, Moore, Camp
bell, and Southey, write.t Of the minor
poets speak not-the lake poets,t as they
are jeeringly called in England, from their
affecting to sequester themselves on the
lakes Of Wesimoreland to compose. How
ever, Crabbe ranks above them most GER
tainly.
The Aristarchus or Bentley Of the day,
under whose critical acumen these authors,
rather their productions, come, is Jeffrey,
who holds that department in the Edin-
burgh Review.
In his criticisms Of Byron, Jeffrey evil
IDENTITY approaches him with tear; for the
dreadful scourging, exceeding even the
caustit of Pope's Duncisd, which he re-
ceived from that author in his English
Bards and. Scotch Reviewers" seems ever
before him.
On the contrary, with ScoH he is per-
sonally intimate, comes in contact with him
every day.-Independent Of this, however,
as a matter of indulgence, the public taste,
or feeling, or fashion, for SCOTS produc-
tons, far outstripped all GOODNESS or seve-
riy of criticism; for the poetry WIS new,
the style easy and natural, and the subjects
fascinating. The general reader tript a.
mong roses, and did not labor t'lrough the
towering beauties Of Byron's .1lcramrine.
Campbelps works must be admired, and
we find that the Edinburgh reviewer SO
feels.
Moore is eqally fine, and equally displays
that Uiuida Vis animi" of Horace, in his
several styles of poetry but he possesses
more versatility Of powers.
OnpoliticaI principles, the Edinburgh
Review opposes the Quarterly; therefore,
Southey, who it is known contributes to the |
latter, and in style of considerable aspe-
rty, cannot expect much indulgence from
Jeffrey.
Yet in criticising his Don Roderick the /
last of the Goths," he shows much liberali-
ty. Indeedlt could not well be otherwise;
for it is certainly first rate poem, abound
ing with many beauties, and is by far the
finest Of Southey's productions.
While the three kingdoms thus pretty
nearly divide poetical renown, Scotland's
novelist stands unrivalled. Miss Edgeworth
has certainly great merit in her writings.
But the publications which are preceded by
Rob Roy, all by the same pen, are Of cast
so far above, and so far unlike the general
trash of novels, that they have already ia
ken their place as standards, certainly in
the eye and in the feeling OF every native
Of Scotland. Fori if they be admired by
those Of England and of the United States,
with what superior gasto must they be
enjoyed by Sco,chmen, or by those who
fully comprehend that vernacular, in which
is conveyed that characteristic humor, pith