Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-06
To the Editors of the Enquirer.

SESrLEMEN--ANer having been tormepted
tor some time, by prodigious curiosity to read
the Novel called Edge HILL" / have at length
done sc and the effect of It's perusa has been only
to give my curiosity another direction, and tina,
Is, to discover the motives of its eulogists. Per
init me, them TO ask you. (and hereby ass. others
who have expressed an opinion similar to yours }
whether you or they were in serious earnest ap,
expressed the result of deliberate Judgment. in
iaudipg this work? Or, were sou and they dis
posed to be facetious: Or, was the opinion ex-
dressed, the efectof pre-possession in favor Of
Firginian production,
OF the first, cannot be persuaded until shall
haze SOME proof tending TO confirm it, stronger
than any am yetin possession OF.
10 the second idea, disposed strongly to
incline. when read an address To the Author
of Edge Hill" by '' Lady, which appeared in
your paper about two weeks ago--but which |
'iaye read since perused the Novel. After be-
slowing many extrayagant praises upon the
&C. chacming production 1 thought the fair enco-
dniast verged upon severe satire. when she pro-
lessed to be better pleased with the (. Christian
Orphan Of Ehge-IiiIl than the &c heroic Jewess'
otivanhoe. This, however. may perhaps be at
tributed to the third cause, which have men
toned which i, the iaudable and patriotic deter
,nination TO praise any thing yirgnari
1t should be recoiiec;ed, that an excess OF zeal
produces often more i'll than good, and that to
deayor 20 establish possession of one species
OF, excellence, by yielding claim to another
OF equal value, is rather dubious method of ad-
Sancing our reputation.
Now, it seems TO me, that Firginian taste is as
important, Virginian literary fame, indeed I
see not they can be separated from each 9th.
er. And what must be the opinion entertained of
our taste, by our brethren of other States when
they see such highly-wronght eulogiuns, passed
upon work like Edge Iill--a work, TO which
without partiaiy) not even the NEXT of medic
Gritty can be accorded. Unless, indeed. we are
prepared TO concede, that those pr0duc tons which
have, in different ages OF literature served as A
standard Tor this kind Of composition, should nc
no sftnrnf tt,olt 81, Ia
heretofore, been in error concerning them For
surely, il the work in question is to be regarded as
model, a new literary era has commenced.
In making these observations. am not actuated
ny any Ill will towards the Author; for know
him not--but, declare, in good faith that they
are prompted solely by tho desire, that the work
aud its euiosies, shon!d not go forth as specimen
aud an expression, of the literary taste OF my ma
dye State, without voice against the injury
which, in my opinion. would thereby be done to
its Character, in that respect.
L am perfectly aware. that rendering N.Y.
self liable to the reproach, which was cast in an
dcipation, by the fair Critic above alluded TO, up
on those who should attempt 10 &c depreciaie what
they cannot equal
In DEFENCE, can only urge thu assertion, which
have Just made, and general disclaimer which,
OF course. will not be believed, either by the Au-
thorof Edge-HiIl, or by those who have commit
Ted themselves by praising his work.
The remark, that men often criticse work,
which they cannot equal, is very old and no less
true In this case, certainly grant it. But, the
Arguments drawn from this concessions however
they may operate agsinstmysen, PROVE nothing for
Edge-Hiil.
II is, moreover, think, equally true, that one
may make correct estimate of production, with
out being able to equal it-since the degree oftal-
ent necessary TO Judge is inferior 10 that which is
required TO create.
ipretend not, however, TO correctness Of taste:
b!t The defects Of the present performance are SO
siaEing, that have been induced to think there
was some motive for praising it. apart from the
work ITSELF and, therefore, TO crafty my curiosity,
and II il be not impeFtinent, I make the present
inquiry. A NOVEL READER.
by referring to certain faults of Edge Hill as
weii as doing thaijustice which we considered due
10 the Author, we have placed ourselves in the We
~ common predicament Of offending both sides
We have drawn down upon ourselves, both the
structures Of " Il lady" and of " 81 .Ncrel Red-
9eT. ~ have no room, al present, for such crit
icai discussions As he invites