American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1814-1822, 1822-03-12
LfT'ER.4RY I.N'1,ELLTGE.NC

We have perused the Dramatic poem under the
above title, written by Samuel B. H. Judah, OF
New-Yolk; and published few days since. The
piece contains some fine poetry, which will no
doubt cause to be read and admired 1t is written
upon the German model, and strongly reminded us
in some of the incidents, of the " Faustus" of
Goethe.
Improbabiity fevent is never to be urged against
the illusions Of fancy, but have a strong antipa-
thy to the introduction of so demoniac a character
as Odofriede. Goethe's hero is a man of learning,
possessed Of an Unsuitable desire for acquiring know.
ledge, and enters into compact with the Devil, in
order to be familiar with the occult sciences his
motives reconcile us somewhat to the act, and we
lose that instructive horror for his character which
we should feel were he actuated by other consider
ations but Mr. Judah's hero is boor--
And fashioned out in such rude unshapey
Manner, that he doth seem blot upon fair
Natures face; so Unfinished and deformed
That his fellow Doors do make jest on't''
This anomalous being is tormented with thirst
for wealth and power, and is eventually enticed by
evil spirits to league with them, and becomes al
instrument in their hands for the foulest purposes
where'er he moves, destruction follows him. He
becomes
Gas mildew
To all his worshippers coming not in TIL storm
But in the Utmost core lurking to eat
The heart away Who hath dealt with him
That he hath not incurred it Where hath his eve
Lit, that it hath not blasted Where hath his word
Come, that FOLLOWED not He hath been
serpent to those who nourshd hip,
And death to those who loved him."
Like the hump-backed monarch, he is G determine,
to prove vlain"--in one of his solloquies h
exclaims,
"My soul is anguishing for blood, and
Will work in death, and cleayc with either hand
Whole pillows Of blood"
The doctrine of Fatalism, which is mingled in thu
writings OF the German poets and Dramatists is il
Ia degree necessary for the formation of character
so nhuman in work upon that model it is there
fore excusabe: we think hsweyer, Mr. Judah nigh
have selected more pleasing theme -one whicl
would convey more peasurable sensations. Their
is considerable strength and beauty of language il
this poem the following passage struck US forci
bly, on perusal--
"Othere's no pang doth strike upon
The soul, so deep when the rude tongue doth wsg
Its biting scorn, in jeer of our deformity,
1t doth burst in flow of gall upon the
Breaking heart, sapping its young shoots of
Kindness and turning its green fields ofhope,
Unto barren, fruitless wilderness -
1t doth crack the fibres of the brain
Wrenchng its thoughts from the right course ofnature
Aye, it doth madden it doth madden!"
We trust the author will realize his most sanguin
Expectations, and We shall anticipate the pleasure
lagain greeting the effasons of his muse.
A volume is shortly expected to issue from tn,
New York press, descriptive of the manners, Gus
toms, sc. of the Western Indians, from the pen o
Mr. Hunter, who has passed considerable portion
lof his life amongst them. Any information rela
ton to the aboriginal inhabitants Of our country
from SO authentic source as we are led to believe
the expected volume to be, cannot fail to be inter
Iesting. We copy the following notice from til,
statesman, which will give tolerable idea of the
anticipated volume