The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-09-09

a now author has recently appeared in the
literary world, who bids fair to stand high in
the first rank, as writer both of poetry and
prose. We refer to E. Lytton Bulwer, author
OF two novels, Pelham" and "The Disown.
ed" which have been re-publshed IN this coun.
try, and which have been more generally sough,
after and read than any other of that class
OF works, with the single exception of those OF
Sir Walter Scott. In the delineations of the
deformity Of vice, he is said to exhibit tho hand
of a master workman, and some have objected
to his works, that the introduction of such char
acters into them, as are necessary to the dis.
play of this talent, has an immoral tendency.
This, doubtless, depends much on the manner
in which it is done. If the characters are not
arrayed in some virtues which go to palliate or
excuse their vices, and it the language is not
indecent or improper, no such fears need be en-
tsrtained; as familiarity with scenes of wicked.
ness can never produce on the mind any senti.
ments but those of disgust and adherence, un-
less it is interested in favor of the object,
through the medium of some of the better feel
ings of the heart. The works alluded to have
just been succeeded by another, entitled " Dew
ereux," all which have followed each other in
rapid succession. The last is said TO be one of
deep and thrilling interest, and has, among it's
characters, Bolingbroke, Dean Swift, Addison,
Steele, Richard Cromwell, Pope, Voltaire, Pc
ter the Great, and Catharine of Russia, with
many other distinguished personages who flour
ished hundred years ago.
l. ---.ia;-e .h;s WORK the AnrninD Eour;.r
edited by one of the first poets of our country,
says that the author is " equal in many respects
to Sir Walter Scott, inferior to him in nothing,
and superior to him in some things" He adds
He is SCOTS equal in keen observation Of
character and graphic skill in its portraiture, in
the fidelity and power with which he describes
inanimate nature, and in the spirit and life OF
his dialogue. He is superior in wit, and still
more so in the exquisite beauty and polish of
his style. In this latter quality no novel writ
err, living or dead, can be compared to Bulwer.
Frequently, in the midst of his narrative, he
arrests the story and pours forth his impasSion-
ed apostrophes in a brilliant and overpowering
flood. Eloquence, tho eloquence of feeling,
maddening at crime and mourning over calam-
ity, comes from the heart of this gifted mortal
with almost superhuman power. The wave
rolls US, and leaves US breathless, appalled,,
motionless. His imperious genius commands
every passion and emotion, and we weep-he
lays bare the heart Of crime, and we shudder-
he takes US into the still chamber of death, and
we are almost as GREATNESS as the pale corpse
he exhibits to our view. And to his high hon.
or be it said, he has not perverted the magnifi
cent genius with which heaven has endowed
him--he neither inculcates error, nor spreads
delusion, nor palliates folly, nor exculpate.
crime. High and proud morality, generous
and noble virtue, shine through the creation,
of his intellect, in beautiful contrast with the
darkness of sin and the shadows of folly. While
he fascinates the imagination and enchains tht
passions, he does not corrupt the heart"