The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-10-30
MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS
ALEXANDRIA. D. c.4ocroBER 80, 1922.

Sir-It is with much diffidente that a
midst the political discussions which en-
gage the public attention, ! attempt to
direct it to literary excellence yet ]
feel so much interest in the success Of
publications in our country
that cannot refrain from endeavoribs
toincrease the circulation Of the F" Idle
Mon" The last number of this periodi-
cal work (Which is published in Nee'
York has but lately fallen into my hands,
or l should have sooner recommended
tito those who delight in tracing the pros
gress of, the. passions, in watching the
workings of the heart, and observing the
strange mixture Of good ano evil, OF the
dcformed and beautiful, which is some.
times developed in the human genius.
This is happily exhibited in the story Of
rrhomas Thornton" which besides the
excellence of its moral, possesses much
literary merit. 1t would destroy, in some
measure, the interest of the narrative, if
the reader should be informed before
hand OF its prominent incidents but the
author seems to have aimed, not so much
at exciting curiosity and awakening sym
patty by the conduct CT his story, as in
finding opportunities for moral and re-
ligious instruction, for exhibiting the, re-
suits Of curious observations the stores
Of rich fancy. A characteristic of the
excellence place is, that no opportunity
is omitted of producing good impress
sion on the heart. Indeed, one is induced
10 suppose, that all the treasures ofthe au
thor's imagination, are profusely lavished
only to set off to the best advantage some
precious gem of virtue or piety. have
scarcely room for extracts, but l must
give one example ofthis. A lover be-
holding the object Of his guilty passion
walking at some distance from him, ex-
claims" How this heath opens wide
rnnnd about her, that the world may see
her move I"
" She was ascending rising
ground, and as she reached the top Of it,
and her form appeared against burnish-
ed evening sky, her long purple mantle
waving in the winds, Z" she touches not
carih'' he cried, Shut moves in glory a.
midst the very clouds !"
"Monster ~ cred the old woman in a
tone of horror, and lifting up her finger
said, "can you look yonder and worship
any but God ?''
presume not, MIR. Editor, in the mar
row limits of a newspaper essay, to pre-
sent your readers with critique on the
work 1 am recommending but | would
beg leave to remind them, that it is very
unfair for the publick. 10 complain Of the
poverty Of American literature, and al
the same time to withhold its patronage
from American productions. There
seems to be, among US, no deficiency in
taste for the fine arts. Whatever good
specimen Of painting, or sculpture, wan
dcrs toDour county, attracts numbers to
behold it; European poetry is read with
rapture on this side of ,heAtisnllc; & pub.
lic expectation is never more excited, e
never more surpassed, than by the pro.
Juctions Of the author Of Waverly. Croud-
ed audiences evinced their admiration for
The genius of Kears and are now haii,rg;
with just applause, those powers of Ma
very peculiarly Of youth, age, sex and
nation, and find subjects for laughter a.
mong The graves themselves. But II
seems that American works have so often
disappointed expectation, that they cease
10 excite curiosty; and it is much to be
feared, that like the author of the beau
tiful Sketch Book, our native writer's will
lind il better 10 publish their productions
in England, even If they should be only
solici,ous of Recommending them to their
countrymen. That this sentence Of ba-
DishmeDt may never be pronounced u
gainst those among us, who determine