Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-07

Of the English Novel;" Though he gives Richardson
credit for his abours in the field, he appears TO
having distinguished him froa Fielding, by lines far
broader than We have been accustomed to see them.
lie may be right and perhaps early associations pre-
vent from agreeing with the Reviewer that Richard
son Is downright proser. We admit that he Is too
prox and volunnous but his beauties too numerous
IBIS touches of sentiment too exquisite, permit
his works to be laid on the shelves Of literary lumber
The merits OF Smcet and Goldsmith appear TO be more
just and discriminating great appearance of sincer-
ty and just conception, pervades the remarks the
writings of Horace Walpoc, Mrs Radcliffe Scott, De-
foe Sterno and Johnson These observations followed
by review OF Deveroux, which, with but little quail
hcahon Is highly favorable to author OF the novel and
affords creditable specimen of impartial criticism and
cultivated taste
The Influence of Chvalry Literature, is the subject
OF the 9TH Article; and being of very general interest
perhaps may I've extensively read the preceding
articles. Ii be intended for the curious stu
dent, rather than the multitude of readers Ii
contains passages of exquisite beauty. The con-
GLIDING Of the paragraph are about 70 quote
is of surprising brliancy:
"After continued labOur, language finally yields TO
IDEAS aud becomes precise settled and rened this is
the srea OF the first prose- and of the ascendancy OF tue
intellectual powers. IL vyii Imagination should
be combined with the unde standing is finally
abed TO penetrate more profoundly and accurately into
his own nature and principles, torender again guravc
the language oil philosophy, and to teach to represent
graphically and truly the forms of the external world
well as the feelings and passions OF the human
| Nature seems almost TO have prescribed mechanical
laws TO the mind, that after the rude and simple poe
try OF barbarous ages there should be- pause, during
which, reason shall have opportunity oil .Srung
counterbaiancc the This
Rod occurred 10 the middle ages. about the period when
ehvatry declined. 1t appears wonderful that such po-
cts "a Chsucer, Shakespeare and Spencer Perar eh and
Dante. should have burst forth Immediately az the
Trouhadours disappeared, Lucreius aud Virgil on
the footsteps of Ennius. philosophical period on ght
to have come between them. 1t seems however, as
u genius had power to create language new feel
ing, new views OF nature and of life, and TO pour
the sweet and rapturous tones not only with
all the vigour and uxurianec of youthful fancy, but in
me beauty bri!iiancy aud symmetry of the most per-
feet maturity, and 10 delight in making its most spen
did exhibitions in that doubtful hour, amidst the gln-
mering and uncertain light which ntsryenes betw
utter darkness and the brightest meridian day."
Art 6th-I1ife of Sir WALTER RALEIGH We are
always pleased TO meet with biographical sketches
We love TO dwell upon the portraits Of them to whom
the world owes debt Of gratitude Few characters
associated with the early history of our country enlist,
our sympahies more powerfully. than Sir WALTER
RALEIGH Ills adventurous spirt-his daring Intrepid
yhis connection with the early colonial settlements
his profound scholNrshp-his unfortunate fate; all
render him subject peculiarly fitted for the purpos,.
oil popular bogr notice. These interesting and
copous materials, the Reviewed has arranged and con-
densed with great skill This article presses remark
upon our attention, which we will take this opportunity
10 express. Nothing shews REVIEWERS tact to better
SdVants gc-snd nothing il difficult of successful
experimentation TO know how much of auy given
SUBJECT no must take for granted that his readers are
already acquainted with-and consequently what nor
ton he mustay before them, of which they are ieno
rant How much, for example, must the Reviewer in
me present case suppose, that lis readers know OF the
history oil Sir WALTER RALEIGH? If Il cavillng rsa-
ger eiicse me article i'll question by the vague rule
tN"NNH larsher sentence
0han we would DO willing 10 admit as true
Ant this paper on Botany. The writer discourses
on It's easing and already extensive con Its di-
dls rOutons-the various systems Of classi-
hcaon adopted by different wri,ers-he necessity of
technical terms &c He regrets the innoy atou-firs
commenced by the French, and since followed by others
OF laying aside the Latin language aud recording the
results OF scientific labor in vernacuar tongues This
ne remarks, il attended with the disadvantage that q
man OF science OF the present and future Ino must
necessity become poygIo scholar in order to read
the respective discoveries emanatiur from different
quarters OF the learned world. The literary execution
OF this article, is in style OF eauuI spcity hap
| PLY adapted to the subisct
Art Sih--Anne of Geierstein. Seldom have VIC ne =
rused crcism which has afforded us more
qualification, than this. At drst sight we had our mis-.
sving@, that II was literary wedge introduced to fiji
up an awkward crevice, left by tardy contrihu-
ur' we thought so from the unusual length of the ex-
racis, and from the fact OF the books having been al
ready six months before The public. The very FIRST page
however convinced us tist the author was graceful
afd cieSant scholar, while continuation of the article
proved him critic possessed OF fine powers for the exc
cunon OF bis task He ranks Same of Geisrsein" as
one OF the best Of Sir Walter SCOTS second produc
iionshe thinks that Sir Walters genius is too fertile
aud his tact too exquisite fail for want of aerl
ais or proper conduc and he concludes that the author
IS inferior to Rchardson aad Fielding in deliae
me softer lights 10 female character We consider the
reviewers remarks entitled to great weight from the
mat ne enters the discussion with hear
sood WIZ but little short Of rapurous enthusiasm-
whiie, at the same time, 1t is tempered with proper
degree OF candour and earnest deliberation.
Although we have always been persuaded OF the higb
standard OF the learning OF the South we were not
pared to assert its claims with open and decided conf
dehce uniiI the present periodical furnished us with
materials, TO which might appeal for the truth of
our opinion, with authoritative Certainty Its s,IsnJ
array ointeactuai wealth ferns the south front Of cur
national literary temple, and shuud be mindful that
Ss legitimate and powerful means Of popular aggran
dzement, u should be maintained by patrona-e com
mensurato with s Importance We close our imperfect
remarks with the hope, that may still continue IN
brighten and adorn the horizon of Southern letters ami
remain hc formidable and inde xbie champion of orr
country and its institutions TChnrlssfou Co,,rier
| TRAITS or IRISH CITHR4CTER
a Memoir OF Thomas .Gd9is Emmett bv the l,,,
CHARLES q. Iainos, has issusd within f. ~ dayz 6o,
'he press OF TIE Messrs Carvills. New York 4, /, .
fapd outline OF the life aud character of the distippn
ca SUBJECT OF the Memoir, skeched under the pressure
OF SeVerer occupations but nevertheless credtabe IN
ule author and interesting 10 tue public We aude IN
H. however, ut this time, less for the purpose Of speak
ing Oh the work. than 10 abetract some of die suerdoes
contained IN IT. Illustrative Of the Irish character
Inc rev Dr. Jackson Is said by the author Of tbe
hlenor TO have been the first man who opened NJ cot
auons WIN the French government, about the wear
i'1' lot AID In the liberation Of his country from o.
Pes,on' snh eTelssious which had hon becoins inoI
cradle PIE did SO with the z:alous cooperation of o
her patriot and many Of her most eminent sons II
was oetrAy by tho Infamous Cocksyne the Pri,i.b
spy ana assumed rieDd and 1as arrested and 6n,IIv
sohNcted OF high treason. Mr.. Emmett described him
man possessed OF distinguished talents and acquire
ineDs, and high sen,e Of honour: and he uI,,irst5
hs character BY the following fact: While Dr. JaeEson
was preparing for his trial. and while his fate was ro,
than probable, friend admitted TO his room in
s9t ~Au Iemaned hore on businesI till late hour 1t
cfcdb ;.,,, IA.