Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-24
SOUTHERN LITERATURE.

| To The Editors of the Richmond Enquirer
Gentlemen Whilst the restrictive policy OF
the Union is evidently leading, not to say driving
| the South, to seek ont and rely upon its own re-
sources, in every thing which tends TO mere ex-
ternal comfort-l think can also perceive in
creasing desire amongst ourselves. to foster lite
rary spirit, and establish an intellectual, as well
as social independence. 1t is right that il should
be so; ioi, notwithstanding my wish .ameri.
can TO cherish purely national feeling, il is not
to be disguised that our brethren Of the North
have been accustomed TO regard us, vastly be-
hind themselves in the products of mind, as well
as in the arts of ife Whatever they profess TO the
contrary, there evident spirit Of dogmatism in
some OF their literary journals, and sometimes a
sly and disparaging insinuation against their
trymen OF the warmer la!itudes. To shake off this
vasssage TO particular section of the Union, is as
much required OF us, as il is OF the whole nation TO
abjure like allegiance to any foreign power.
The foregoing remarks have been suggcs ted by
the recent appearance of two valuable works in
South Carolina, having for their more immediate
object, the encouragement of native Iiterature-I
mean the Southern Review, and Literary Gazette
Of Charleston. BY the kindness of friend, I
have b,en favored with few numbers of the
latter Journal, and I beg leave through your
widely circulated columns, earnestly 10 recommend
IL to public attention
In the Republic Of letters, as well in civil
socicty-it may be assumed. as a maxim, that there
is a direct tendency to the accumulation Of niu-
cncc in the hands Of few, which the common
good requires should BIO watched and controlled
In England, to whose example in many things,
still bow with sort of colonial reverence
there are two or more privileged journals which
exercise an almost boundIess sway over her read
ing population, and in our own country, if a like
authority has not been acquired by few popular
works, IL results from the greater spirit OF enqui
ry, and the prouder freedom Of sentiment which
distinguish people. The judgments Of the
North American, and the Philadelphia Quarterly,
(deservedly respectable as those publications y
l.-s a.
FalIible as they undoubtedly must be, with all
their learning and sagacity--an appeal may be la
ken from their errors TO higher tribunal, that
Of correct and enlightened public opinion In one
instance at least, the Literary Gazette has boldly
taken an appeal, and If mistake not, has reversed
the sentence Of its elder and more distinguished
rivals. Their indiscriminate concentrations OF
Mr. PcrcivaPs poetry, and the preference which
they unsparingly besiow upon him over more gilt
cd bards OF our own land, are ably exposed by the
Charleston Reviewer.
Bu',I was forcibly struck in reading the Literary
Gazette with that happy combination Of the grave
and gay-tbat union Of vigorous reasoning and
sparkling senliment--tIat mixture ofpahetic mar
rative and exquisite humour, which distinguish its
pages. There is skiltul aud at the same time an
unstudied adaptation ofits contents TO every va
riety OF taste which canno' tail TO make ii gene
rally acceptable For the lover Of the fine arts
the reader Of general poIitics-ihe patron OF
wit, the pensive admirer Of the " muse S
strsin"--there are morce0uS served up, each
with its peculiar flavor, 10 suit the various APP
petite. In truth, the whole publication does
honor TO its talented editors, well the state
and city, which have cherished IL into being.
The specimens which are culied from the poe
try Of Farmer ard Willis, are not only honorable
10 the genius of those native bsrds, but evince in
their selection the judgment and taste Of the Re.
viewers; and the fine, original pieces which adorn
the work, and which IL is understood are, for the
most part, the productions of one Of its Editors,
cannot be read without tho highest admiration
The lines on the lost Plciad'-bear forcible
resemblance to those Of Mrs. ITemaus on the same
subject, and with all due Difference TO that highly
gifted English writer, do not suffer by compare
son with hegsi aud there IS something 10 The beau.