Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-19
FoR the RICHMOND WuS.
aKDGH HELL
a crgiqHe by a Revolutionary ludn.


Of minds Their actions and fancies, like the fairy
dreams OF supersticous b'gotry and dolatry of rel-
gos aBatic's, operate precisely in the direr-
tom and 20 the same fortunate fatal results. In
the cuze tire inconsiderate reader who has more
feeling than judgment, Is but too apt to ranspose anu
identity INN or herself into the favore hero or hero
inc as IN the othcr the one who listens to the idle
dreams of snpeBticious mysteries and unintegible
inrpherences will very readily transport him or her
f into the immediate object Of the existipn causes
their supernatural operation, and their wild and un
Daturn, termination. They both inprnder in weak
dd incosiderate minds, confused IDEAS of real life,
OF positive right and wrong, In a personal moul and
true religious sense, and but too often terminate in
the total deprivation of the mental faculties
Thus the two species of opposite causes, arc ucr-
iectly congenta in their qualities, and operate pre-
oseiy to the sumo end. While the last condemns
the INST, however, as totally subversve of ul moral
end religious good; the FIRST contends, that such
cniivenin5 and attractive displays Of human e are
the best lessons to captivate the thoughtlgss and
gtdy, to emulate the good and to avoid and correct
the evil prupensies Of our natures While the big
oted fanatic Will not suffer novel single volume
OF the Drama to soil the shelves Of his Library or
60 into the hands Of his son or daughter-while he
points TO the Pheatre as the immediate downward
road to obstruction, ind containing literally and
enpnettcaliy, even within itself the immediate and
positive Ptt OF perition-the worldly roralist con-
tends that czaste and well constructed Novel or
Play wei addressed presented 10 the sound reason
philosophy and discretion of the mind are by "a the
nTst RATIONAL, and incontestaby the most ffrtual
and dkcreet.
For myself, must admit (though no great admirer
q Novels generally, for the reasons already siyrn)
that vcfl conceived and we'll written Novel t,,or
derived from correct historical facts or the NATURAL
characters oil fR exposing the folhes and vices and
placing the virtues in the most CAPTIVATING forms
through the best dressings and furnishings Of fiction
und fancy th,nce leading to- and ending in the hon,
possible mural results are species of writiuy bv M
means to be desptsed They have feir evident good
ELECTS. e
Tho best conceived and best exe,nIrcd ruet,v and
1ctrun, ptrretrate quicker and make dfeper in1nIcr
SION On the fancy of the render as well as I,nrb
more sastiu impression his mind than any other
Species ut writings. Hence hist orc1l Novels and
rays, when derived from sound and true sources
HTd We'll dressed off and decorated in the chas ond
t-ie tasteful attire Of enchanting fancy; become the
must valuable displays of literary yurih and mort
LIZ as much they intice those averseti 10 rea
anu rcssarch, TO dip into what they were before en-
tirely unacguantet With al to lead to further md
Eore profound enquiry into realities which they tbern
obtain but anfmpercrt, though inticng giimps, and
perspective Of, viile thus wrapped In c,irnnr,rnu
Imagery gIrd distant views.
But, while I m1kc these COMMISSIONS IN f,,,,r "a
tnDSe SPECIFICS Of writings must be ailouo,i IN oh.
serve THAT, when they profess TO be of that valuable
historical character and particularly prunisn 10 give
tf1e and faithful acrount Of great and interesting
events and are found eXamna Ciun TO fall erntirel1
snort III the real promised narh they tireu become
tf;Vssy reverse Of what have just described They
are PIlabte imposition and fraud and lead 70 worse
nil Tnr
mer possibly can tn good
With these plain and we'll dignsted thuurhts sud
fet, ctious, long before hand, first saw the notice
and some extracts from the Novel entitled "Edur
tnl IN some OF tho public Journals. Two circun
s'anccs excited n strong inclination, and pcrhans
surevllat OF curiosity in me, Of class Of readers
much fouier of such writings than myself 20 uerusc
- FIRST, is said to be written by "a Virginian
IND interesting periods Of the American Revotiion'
n which with great diffidence and humanity. beg
4eoVe to state, am perhaps among the very few
Sffvivlng humble ACTORS, both In military and
political seIrse. ~
whose, trust viii be admitted by tie author him
SSH, JTsti6abie and laudable causes of an rnxin,s
fesire to perusc his work. Having aided in nm hum
pre- degree, 10 obtaining Our Independence, look
generations 10 maintain It. It is in their talents and
Slrtncs place my f1ndest hopes and reliance that
'rcy VIII preserve that great inheritance Of indie
ptndeuce and liberty their fathers bestowed uuor
trsm With respect to the author himself I hone
1e VIII be1feve me, when I assufe hn, I have NJ
dokiTd personal feelings towards him. know no,
Eno NJ Is, and therefore have no such feelings
admire hts fine genius, and Wishing to erstnin ttp
character Of our former political and miIitarv fn,n
CATIONS, and noW our literary character; hone ne
viii uardon me Tor endeavouring to set him yiobt
m all these particulars, to enable him in future
edition OF HIS book, any new effort TO Ion off Tire
indifferent parts, TO restrain the unnecessary sFroos
and thence render the main stork and branch vicn
rnus and strong. II il should produce an abundant
Ufoom OF honors and good ffuft 10 himself and our
4fN1ntry, no one win be more delighted than tho
lIrder OF this article. Rnt / must now notice tho
book Itself, entitled "EDGx HUI" from which
perhaps, have already dgessud too far. To ye,
deem the political, the military, and literary char
actor OF our country, assure the author, Is nv
Whole and sne aim, before said. shall do ius,icc
90 the bggaeties of "EDGE HILL" and If ar; 2,,6o
and uncuitfted pdrterre should fall inthe pav ortbo
critics @ythes the author must look to blS own ,yorL
for the apology vi ~"
q vas sumo firne before procured COPY Of ina,
sSork and much longer before fon IcSsy, " gnr
her moHe necessary and urgent pu rsnits to give II
TAR and thorough perusnl. When / did, / fonnd
much 70 admire, and much TO regret. It's pictures
nj mocy, and what better, its deliDestions o. cfo-
IRcie,' and much OF It's pfan composition and stvle
wound 90 credit 70 the pencil Of the very best artists
81 the Bind. The picturesque description Of Edor
iIIA' cannot be mistaken by any one who ever saw
ctaln sPerb and Princely residence on James Rivey
w. tSeIty-tl.e or thrty miles below Richmond