Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-11-06

The National lulelligeDcer of the 4th inst
contains complimentary notice (written by
I" ore of the fralernity') Of Mr., Bryan's poem,
delivered before the Literary and Philosophical
Society Of Hampdrn Sidney College, at their
las, Anniversary. After remar king that this
pGeIn, like all human productions, had lis de-
fec s, the writer goes on 10 says
We were, upon the whole, both instruct ed
and delighted. Ii would be diff ut 10 decide
whether the production was mos, creti'ebic t"
the head or the heart or the Poet. l, evinoed,
in our estma ion, poetic talents OF no inferior
order. and furnished evidence OF soul formed
onlv FOR the nobler feelings of our nature. w"
Judge Of the fount from the stream that issues
therefrom.
The POEM appeared to be designed to illus
tra,e the moral influence of mental culture. In
pursuance Of this design, The poet took occasion
10 exhibit vivid portrailure Of the horrors OF
war One might readily have conceived hat
he heard the e. oans Of dyiog millions; that e
saw the plains streaming with blood ,and strew-
ed with the bodies of"t.e dying and he dead"
that he heard the cracking ofth! flames con-
mingled with the rafting of cord age, and, ever
and anon, the roar Of cannon; and that he saw
The air darkened with thu fragments Il dispar,-
ing domes and exploding towers. IL We read
aripht the countenances If those presen', 1t
would have required, a, that morneni, but title
persuasion 10 have induced at eas, Que halt OF
the audience TO enter in a resolve 10 hea. their
swords into p'oughshares, and their spears INTO
pruning hooks, and 10 enlist under the banners
Of those who proclaim peace on earth and good
will 10 men. lntemperance, also. was exhibited
as q frequent source Of sin and sorrow, guile
H. tN,< .Nfl. an
TO infamy and the grave, In tits part Of the
Poem, the author became truly patHetic. Many
testified by tears, the interest they iell in his
descriptions; and we thoughI-peshap wewere
decciyed--we thought We marked the crimson
blush of shame kindlng on the checks OF some
who were won, 10 drown their sense ui honor
in the flowing bowl, and The "sti small voice"
of conscience in the midnight revel Among
other a ut;ous characters, enc vas introduced,
who had kept his daily vigil, before the Oft
rreouented cask--had there imbibed madness
and folly--made shipwreck OF reason-and had, ,
ultimately, by unhallowed impulse led, imbrutd
his hands in the blood ot his bosom friend. -
The horrors Of his guilty conscience were ably
aud feelingly depicted. The gambler, and the
devo,ee at the brine of Plutus, were not passed
unheeded by. The bard, by his mosterly
sketches OF their characters pro sred them
due snare OF pity, aouorrehCt1 anu CoHtihp''
These several subjects were very appropriate.
" introduced. Il was shown that the gloomy
pictures presented would gradually brisnten, as
the "march Of mind" facilitated. Our
remarks have been made on the Poem, as il was
delivered We have not had the pleasure oil
perusIng the copy furnished agreeably 10 the
request Of the Society.
The audience was large. and highly respec-
table; and the attentions bestowed or the Poet,
both in public add in private, were exceedingly
Aattering. The Society convened Immediately
after the delivery Of the Poem, aud voted, una-
nimously, a return Of thanks for the "inte-es:-
ing Poem" delivered before them.