Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-10-13
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from he London Li,.rarv Ga-eUe

: mo PIP. 26i London 1927. LongmaS s. Co.
We have often felt that IL Was too long since Mr..
Nnngo,nery had appeared as poet before the public
tribunal; and after perusng the present volume our
'egret is increased tue thought that he who can
delight much should ALLOW such intervals to eIapse
between his unirequent visits. There is, indeed a
silly cry sometimes heard, that this or that author
writes too much; charge not only foolish but inir
rous, while the party continues TO write we'll The
he OF what grained us last year may crafty ag,n
and again; aud nothing but an idle love of chance
could make us prefer production of inferior value
merely because 1t proceeded from new hand to one
OF superior beauties which was offered TO from a
source we already admired. Yet this is what the
nieauug sheep among the critics fail not to incucate;
and what the weakng portion of readers as simply
"Iopt ihe consequence is, that the sensbity which
"iways belongs 10 true genius becomes alarmed aud
uiuden afraid OF cenSure, the finest talents are laid
by TO rust, the world is detrauled of many HIGH
pleasures, and we have literary moor of scrub6y
anu sicky young plants, instead of splendid cham
raGn full of lovely flowers, and stately trees and all
the standard luXurisncv of nature To real renius
we on the contrary would say, Write on write Oh;
you cannot write too much. One performance may
DC less striking less excellent than anoher--there
may oe occasional haste or an occasional want of
varie,y-but pour the glorious flood of song task
inc 'neShausube spirit of invention, cultivate the
Soundess stores of imagination; and the petty draw
backs which microscopic eyes NAV detect in vour
works, will, to future generations, appear but as
notes IN the sunbeam specSs upon the respenden
disk OF that immortal lulninarv.n
Mr.. Montgomery is a poet. One pare of the Pelican
island cannot be read without ndentng this impression
deeply upon the mind. He does not view subjects
with the faculty of common men; he does not paint them
20 The language OF common Realities glow be
heath his touch, and in the bodiles musings his fancy
We ecognise power and intelligence of extraordinary
character The "World before the Flood" afforded
abundant evidence OF this; and the proof will be inf
utely strengthened by this publication; of which
shall! now lay epitome, with extracts before our
trends. he opening OF the poem explains its theme
and construction.
FfAIc,hought lived through ages, and beheId
by ms
That years were moments in their dig bit, aud hours
The scenes of crowded centuries reveald:
While Time, Lie, Death, the worlds great actors
wrought
New and amazing changes:-these sing.
''Shy, sun, and sea, were all the universe:
The sky, one blue, intermnabe arch
Without a breeze, wing, cloud the sun
Sole in the armament, but in The deep
ReIoubled; where the circles of the sea,
Invisible with calmHess seemed to be
W thin the hollow OF lower heaven.
was spirit in the midst of these
Al eye ear, thought existence was enjoyment;
Light was an element OF life and air
The clothing of my incorporea form,-
a form impalpable to mortal touch,
and volatile as fragrance from the flower,
Or music in the woodlands. What the soul
Can make itself at pleasure that was;
child III feeling and ina g:naon
Learning new lessons, still, nature wrought
Tier wonders in my presence. All saw,
Like adam when he walked in Paradse,(
knew ana named by secret intuition.
Actor, spectator, sufferer, each in turn
ranged, explored, reflected. Now sa'd
And now l scared anon expanding, seemsd
Ditiused into imnensy, yet bound,
Ui1tna space Too nayrO'r for desire;
Ife mtnd, !Iie mind perpetual themes iaast Ensi,
Perpetual pOoer in2I,eI and hope allure.
and the silent sun here alone
But not companions; high and bright he held
lis course; gazed with admiration him.
There ali communion ended and sigh'I
In loneliness unutierabe sish'd
10 feel myself a wanderer without aim
m exile amid splendid desoalion,
prisoner with inGniy suIrounded.n
Having thus inagnatively assumed the attributes of
intelligent Being before the work of creation began
The poet proceeds 10 mark, throug mutudes of centu
Ties the continuation and completion Of that supen-
deus design The first objects which gree, his wand
eug beautifully described Instance the
ysTSt star.
Darkness, meanwhile, disguised in light crep
DER air and ocean; dreareT gloom involved
My fantiBg Senses till sudden ray
OF pensile lustTe spari<led from the west;
few to meet it, but drew nearer,
While, vanishing and re appearing Oft
u, lengit tremblea o,t iaio star.
My soul revived, and could thea have wept,
(Methol did, with tears of foud delight,
How had haild The gentle apparitioD
is second life TO me; SweeIy ceicomc
TIE Funniest sehijiIncc of soc,ety
Though bit point 10 7c,l he .1je lpO,7.
~ hin 1oho da.h been utterly 6ercarcd!
Star after star, from some unseen abyss
Game tro' the sky, like thoughts INTO the mind
we know not whence; Till all the armament
Was throngd with considerations, and the sea
Strown with their images. Amidst sphere
on twinStn5 lights, living eyes, that lookd
1T once on me from every side, stood.
Mutton and rest With me were mere volitioD)
}Iysef perhaps a star among the rest!
Bat here again found fellow ship;
Sight could not reach, keeDest tho't conceive
Their nature or their Offices Tor
They were but what they seemed, and yet felt
They must be more the mind hath no horizon
{ looks beyond the eye, and seeks for mind
In all 1t sees, all it o'crruIDg,n
THE (rsl storm Witnessed is also exceedingly poecal
Once, at high noon, amidst suItry calm,
Looking around for comfort deserted.
Ear on The green horizo95 utmost verge
i wreath Of clond; 10 glad discovery,
Tor each new image sprang new idea,
The germ Of thoughts 70 come, that could not die.
ihg lille yapor Iapily expanded,