Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-10-20
and cold. .lmost iudiir.r.

eut.
On returning TO the drawing room,
the scene was changed, though the
great actors remained in part at least
the same. Music was substituted for
conversation. MIR. Smith gave an
original song, full Of humor and vsric-
ty. Mr.. Moore was induced to seat
himself at the piano, and INDUCED his
friends with two or three Of his own
Irish melodies. ! cannot describe to
you his singing it is perfectly unique.
The combination Of music, and Of
poetic sentiment, cmanatirg from one
mind. and glowing IN the very counte-
nance. and speaking in the very voice
that same mind eliminates and directs.
produces an effect upon the eve, the
ear, the taste, the feeling, the whole
man in short, such rs no mere profess
sional exce!leace can at all aspire TO
equal. His head is cast backward.
and his eyes upward. with the true in
spIration OF an ancient bard. His voice,
though Of little compass, is inexpressi-
bly, sweet. lie realized TO me, in ma.
ny respects, my conceptions Of the
poet OF love and wine; the refined and
elegant, though voluptuous Anacreon.
The modern poet has more sentiment
than the Greek bot can Law no claim,
what modern author can y TO the same
simplicity and purity Of taste. His
genius, however, is more versatile
The voluptuary complains of his ina.
bllity TO celebrate n war-like theme
his Tyre will obey the impulse Of his
will. But the author Of the Fire Wor-
shippers gave US, in the course Of the
evening, an Irish rebels song. which
was absolutely thrilling. Anacreon
was, however. afterwards restored TO
US in a drinking song, composed to be
sung at cornwall meeting Of an as
ISOLATION Of gentlemen.
cannot conclude this brief sketch,
without saying few words Of my
host. lie is q good looking man, with
a pre-occupisd and anxious air. This
gives way, however, TO true Scottish
sense and cordiality in conversation.
lie has strong understanding, and a
good memory; and is exceedingly in
terest'ng from the long intercourse
which he has maintained with. and the
intimate knowledge he possessed Of all
the eminent literary characters Of the
age. The memoirs Of himself and his
times, would be invaluable. lie ha,
been the Macenas of Wis dav; and
though not tie iavnrite of az EN-. I.eror,
has conferred mooe Substantial reward.
on merit, than even the disiingui-hei
Roman. Such has been hl, iiberali;y,
that, though millions have passed
through his hands, he il. am told, by
no means cxorbitantly rich.
Mcssrs. Carey X Liza have issued toe Auto-bi-
ography OF Sir W otter scott ~ nr. .luosleein,o
Of 2ss pages. The PhilAJclphis editor make,
The suhJoincd statement, q AZ Fiise nt very
well written
- On reading over those notices,
which under The mrd y. names cf in
Productions, prefsoes, aud notes, a
bound in biographical sketches Of him
sell. AMI 'ariOu, persons with HON he
was associated. IN amusing anecdotes,
IN literary disquisitions. and IN all the
marks of benevolent spir. as we'll
as an admirable genius: II wa. apparent
that they embraced h story OF u large
portion OF islIle. told by himself; and
that. il collected from the volumes in
which they are originally inserted, they
would form, with no alteration what
ever, except Of occasional words, an au-
to biography full al once Of instruction
and amusement.
This has been done i'm the following
pages -Scrupulou care has been used
M putting the fragments together, but
they will be found 10 fall in with one
another 30 naturally as TO preserve
every where a continuous narrative. and
TO supply complete history Of the life
Of man identified with the age in
which lie lives, aud which he has So
much contributed to improve and a.
dorm"
I All this is truej every sentence is
from SoottS own pen--and fhe details
which sre thus furnished, with much
sklil, 81 hts literary undertakings and
achievements, possess the highest in
ietest for all admirers ri the incompsr
able author The appendix 10 cOpious !.
and consists ct appropriate and attrse :
tive matter. Altogether, this IL Q de-
hshttui volume, which cannot fell "a
satisfy every reader, and of which tho
contents ought 70 be know n e all those
whowould be deemed oonversant with
The literature at our era. SIR Wslter
was educated for the bar, I've says -
II he success of a few ballads bsd the
ehectoI changing All the purpose and
tenor IT my. life, ADD converting me,
after was n painsfaking lawyer Of
Few years standing, INTO . follower
81 literature Ills birth, he sddS. was
that 81 gentleman, and the private
fortune which he inherited. did not,
indeed. amount 90 siiluenee. but placed