Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-19
FoR THE RICHMOND WING.
EDGE HILL"
4 critique 6y a Revolutionary s.,al,.

81
dreams of supersticious bgoty and o!atry of rei-
gous fanatlcisn operate precisely III the same drec-
ton and to the same fortunate or fatal results In
the one case the inconsiderate reader who has more
lceng than Judgment is but too apt to ranspoSe and
fdcntify INN herself into the favorte hero or hero
Inc, as In the other the who listens to the Idle
dreams Ut superScious mysteries and uninte Eligible
icObcrenccs, will very readily TRANSPORT him or her
selt INTO the Immediate object of the existing causes
their supernatural operation, and their wild and un-
natural termination. They both incender in weak
aud 'nconsi!eratc minds, confused IDEAS of real lifc
OF positive right and wrong, in personal! moral and
;true religious sens, and but too often terminate in
the total deprivation of the mental faculties
f'ius the two species OF opposite Causes arc per
1Sty congcna IN t'lcf qualities, and operate pre-
cisev 10 the same enr While the last condemns
The first, however totally subversivc of all moral
and religious good; the first contends that such
-!nWe'ug aid attractive displays OF human life. arc
me best lessons to captvate the thoughtess and
gly, to emulate the good, and avoid ant; correct
the evil propenSItics of natures. While the bip
otcd fanatic VIII not suffer novel single volume
OF the Drama to soil the shelves OF his Library or
Go into the hands OF his son or daurhLer-uhi,e he
points TO the Theatre as the immediate downward
road to destruction, and containing literally and
e'nphnticay, even within itself the immediate and
positive PW Of percton;--the worldly rnoralist con
tends thai chaste and Well constructed Novel ar
ty well addressed presented 10 the sound reason
philosophy, and discretion of the mind are bv far the
most rational, and ncontestabiy the most eiacual
sermons that can be preached, TO the corsilcrate
Ind discreet.
For myself, must admit thougll NO great aImircr
oil Novels generally, Tor the reasons alreadv giveul
that we'll conceived and well written Novel or PLAY
derived from correct historical actS or the uatrr
Characters Of HE, exposing the olie and vices and
placing the virtues III the most Captivating forms.
through the best dressings and furnishings Of fiction
on" iuy thence leading to, and ending in, the best
possible moral results; species of writnm by no
means &c be deSpised They have teiY eyidcnt rood
effects. So
The best conceived and bes; executed poetry and
lr2lon, penetrate quicker and make Il deeper imprcs
son on the fancy OF the readcr, well as a much
more lasting Impression On his mind than auy other
.pecTs OF writings. Hence historical Novels and
ilays, whCn derived from sound and true sources
.nu wen a,s'ed OF ana decorated i'll the chnstc and
trhe tostn attire of enchanting fancy become tho
most valuable displays Of literary worth and n,rrit
IN Us much as they nticc those avcrscd to rcn,inr
ana research, to dp INTO what they were before en-.
lciy uuncqiantcd with, ana lead to ii:rtl,er nd
more profound enquiry into realities which they there
ootaa Dat an imperfect though intcnr GLIMPSE and
prospective ct, willie thus wrapped i'll r.im;neriuo
imagery and distant views.
Hut, while ! make these CONCESSIONS !, c e
those species OF writings must he allowed ,n oh
serve that, when they profess 10 be Of that valra bc
historical character, and particularly promise TO rive
'rie ana talshlni account of great and interesting
events, and found eanliia ton to fail en,rc
short on the reol promised mark thew then b.ron5.
lile Very reverse OF what have Just described Thnv
are papa6ie imposition and fraud and lead to worse
and mo niSchicvous CONCLUSIONS In Ill ft, -:
ntar possibly to good.
w eth these plain an,i We! dr,.s I'D tl,o,r,ts a.;
FeueGsions, long before hand first saw tho NOTICE
ana some extracts from the Novel entitled Edo
I'M IN some 81 tie public Journals. Two circn
stances excited n strong inclination and rerbons
somewhat of c1niosy Dae If q cLtss 81 ,c,ders
jhuch tondeF OF sUch writings than myself to pcrse
-. FIRST, 1t Is SAID to be written a Viroiuian
Secondly, 1t processes to give one Of the most trvn
tsuo interesting periods Of the American RcyoIf;n,5
n which with great difiidcnce ami humanity, boo
cave to state, am now perhaps among the verv few,
VIM ktrr-h
political sense. '"
Those trust, will DC admitted b.; tic author him
sell, Justtiia5lc and laudab!e causes of an snyjoms
fesre to poruse his work. Having -.ici in an h,,In
ule degree, IN obtaining Independence lo,l,
nosS anxiou5y to the rising genius of our Succeeding
generations to maintain il. 1t is III their talents and
|iFtues place my fondest hopes and reliance fiat
,ney Sll preserve that great Inheritance of hide
,Pendence and liberty their fathers bestowed fino,
hem: with respect 20 the author himself. Homo
II" VII! believe me, when assure him. have M
Hnkind personal feelings towards him T know mt
Fho ne Is, anu therefore can have no such fccIjnos
ADMIRE his hHe genius and wishing to sustain the
GhnfaceF OF our former political and military f,tn
cations, and now our literary character; I limo h,
Nitl pardon me for cndcavouring TO set him rieIt
IN an IhsSc particulars, TO enable him in future
editlon OF lns book any new effort to lon o' tho
indifferent parts, 10 restrain the un0ecnssar, hot,
ana thence render the main stork and branch virn
.ous and strong. IF it should produce an sl,rndan,
olpon OF honors and good fruit to himself and our
country, no ono viii be more delighted than the
wFner OF this article. But | must now notice fLe
book itself entitled "EDcE Hut" from wh;cb
F'rbnps' have already digressed too far. 70 70.
aeem ths political, the military, and Htcrary cbar-
acIeT OF Our country, assure the author, IS INV
Ehoc apd sole ann as before said shall do ,,ticc
10 the beauties Of "EDGE Hr1I; and if sov rndc
hnduncu'tlvacd PaferTe Should fall in the way the
'itcs scythcs hcanihor must look 10 his own .ori
for the apology. r" u
Il was some time before procured AEON, ri, H.,
'fors ann much longer before found leisure from
"1cr more necessary and urgent pu rsui.s to Give il
I TAR and thorough pcrusa. When [ did, found
'nuch TO admire, and much to regret. It's pictures
tasGr' and much Of its plan, composition and stylc
you'd 90 credit to The pencil Of the very best artists
Of the KIND Tic picturesque description Of E6reI
AiL caimoi DC mistaken by any one who ever saw
certain superb aul pincev rcs:ianco,e, Iar - D..