Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-12-24
RANDOLPH
"Ihad rather be natures idiot than such
an author"

"Ihad rather be natures idiot than such
an author"
An American Novel has lately made its ap-
Pearance bearing this imposing title. The
work consists of two volumes each containing
between three & four hundred closely print
ed pages. As to incident, the Book has none !;
it is made up of long pressing correspondence
between half dozen men and as many WOO
men. When the Drama closes, only three of
the actors remain disappointed love having
taken the rest to another scene Of existence.
The letters (though they vary in length forty
five pGgeS) gives the reader none of that pleas
ure which arises'from an agreeable variety
in style. Charity prompts us to believe that
it conld not have been the intention of the
Author to excel in elegance ofdiction, for his
mind seems not to possess sufficient solidity to
receive a polish from the influences Of litera-
ture, nor is it pure enough to reflect the rays
of genius, or of good taste. From what we
had heard of the Book, we took it up with
our curiosity not little excited, and with an
expectation Of finding rich treat for the lovers
offction. We were sadly disappointed. In
stead of presenting to our minds those charms,
which are embodied in the best works of Ro-
nance, the Author talks much ofhis dear SELF
and pretends to point out the beauties and
defects in the productions of the master
spirits Of our age, and of ages which are past.
He mentions the qualifications of critic -
TO Judge (he says) of poetry or of ANY
THING, man should be a workman at the
same trade" The vial of scurrillity is then
poured out on Poetry, Painting, and Music,
and on professional and literary men, without
taste or discrimination. "Byron is not a
great or honest man Percival is no poet
Montgomery is no poet, either by nature or art;
Milton is tiresonae pompous old fool, making
continual display of empty nothingness ;
The lines of Tasso are not worth repeating"
and Shakespeare was man of no talent SC.
&c. &c. Stuart a mere dauber in painting
Morse possessed of the most exquisite TASTE"
Speaking of Gerard, Che says) I" Napoleon
aeUer SET but once for has likeness and then
only for afeW moments ; and during the Whole
time he Kept WALKING about The room, acith
cup ofcofee IN has hand.'
Everett and his associates, who have con-
Quoted the North American, ARE s. stupid block
heads ;"-Walsh is of the same stamp, and
why! Because, Gas we suppose) they have
never noticed our authors productions. Now
we really sympathize with him and make this
honorable mention of his works, hoping that
it will dispel from his mind, all melancholy
reflections.
His case is truly forlorn: 1t is believed that
he wrote Rondolpb, Logan, Seventy six, Keep
Cool, Niagara, Goldeau, Ohio, ect. ect ect.
most of which have fallen still born from the
press. Our author has done every thing to
prevent this calamity he has called forth
all his powers of persuation, to shew the per-
version of pnblic taste, (all to no purpose) and
lastly, he has written Randolph. and review
ed the above works in detail, and proved to a
demonstration, that they are wonderful ex.
hiSition of the most exalted powers of intel
lect. In this work he has attempted to make
those, who have heretofore neglected him. TO
appear like arrsnt simpletons.
If absurdity and mbecility are any pallia-
tion for immortality and blaspbemy, or If stu.
pidity can atone for gross vulgarity, this Book
has claim on the attention Of candid pub.
lie. Finally, those, who are so silly as to suf.
fer unmeaning defamation to lead common
sense captive, and those who are fortunate
enough to mistake madness for inspiration, ex-
trava5ance for sublimity, and fool for wise
man, may be highly pleased with a perusal Of
RANDOLPH.
BosToN, Dec. 60.
MEETING lNFAvOUR OF THE SUFFER-
ING GREEKS.
Last evening at the Hall Of the Elk.