Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-06-09
FROM rae LONDON LITERARY GAZETTE.


Lessons on Criticism to Hflhan Roscoe, Esq. Frs,
MRSL, in .qnscer 10 his Letter 10 the Reu. ". L..
Botrles ON the Character and Poetry Of Pope; With
Further Lessons in Criticism to Quarterly Reriewer
Blu the Reu. W. Lisle Bo,ciss, late Editor Of Popes
Works, &c. Gro. pp us, London, 1926.
To many Of our readers it may not be UNI
known that desperate fray has for some time
past been going on in the literary world respect
ing the poetical and moral character Of Alexan-
der Pope, ESQ.,. name so long and justly cele-
brated among all true lovers Of the English
Muse, for genius. taste, and every other quality
necessary to the formation of a consummatcd po-
ct and fine writer. Onthe one side we may reok-
en-, as bearing prominent part, Lord Byron,
Mr.. Campbell, Mr.. Brougham, Mr.. Gilchrist,
and Mr.. Roscoe; on the other, the Rev. Mr..
Bowles, gentleman of no mean poetic fame,
and the respectable author of the present work.
Many hard blows have been given and received
on both sides in the course of the literary war
fare; in which, Notwithstanding the superiority
ofnumbers opposed to him, and being almost
alone and unsupported in the field of contest,
Mr.. Bowles has resolulely maintained his
ground Not only so,-he has, we think, in
the present work, advanced considerably upon
his ehemy. However, as spectators chiefly, and
not umpires on the occasion, we conceive ii to
vents, faithfully and duly TO report progress
rather than take an active part in the controyer-
Sy.
To refresh the memory OF his readers, and
TO render what follows the more Ineligible,
Mr. B. occupies several preliminary pagcswith
an-account ofhis different opponents, and other
matters connected with the controversy in which
he is engaged. He observes, The pulic may
ha rod Of he cnh,n
of Pope or his poetry. hoped my Final APP
peal would have been indeed .fnai;' but MIR
Roscoe has thought it right to send into the
world something in the shape of an answer, in
a letter addressed 10 me. Though il may be
objected that have more last ,Cords,' as said
] should take no farther notice, unless Mr. Ros-
coe chose 10 reply, am now compelled again,
and assuredly for the last time, TO expose his
tissues of irrelevancies, shallow sophisms, art
full evasions, unjust reflections, and Rppan,
personalities, which he has brought forward
under the name Of a reply to arguments which
he could not better answer" We regret to
read such harsh and hard sounding language,
but Mr.. b. has great complaints to make "a
gainst Mr.. Roscoe "The objects in dispute,
as far as they are prominent in this letter. he
says, are few. No argumen; is met fairly, and
his whole letter appears to be vehicle of dis
appointed irritation; feeble effort 10 wound
personal feelings, where argument and common
sense foil him." With all his wrath, we canno,
think Mr. Bowles revengeful man. On the
contrary, amid the discordant rage Of contro-
versy, we hail one bright CLEAN Of benevolent
feeling!
The late Mr. Octavius Gilchrist, an intimate
friend of Mr.. Roscoe, it may be recollected,
bore prominent rank among Mr. BIS assail-
ants, and treated him not very respectfully
"Yet," observes Mr.. B., $50 far were any un-
kind feelings from my heart, that the momen,
heard ne was no more, wrote TO my then
booksellers, Messrs. Longman Co. request
ing them 10 destroy any publications o. mine in
which, though but in retaliation, had spoken q
him ,c1ih disrespect, that no renaen,6rances, my
part, ofhtsrary hostility should remain, but be