Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-06
LITERARY NOTICES.

want Of native literature, anu the ihhuehce CA
ercised by lite rary works ever the character aud
aes,ines of nations, is thus strongly and eloquent
ly stated and enforced:
We want a native literature still more urgent
Nv, because n literature any where to be good tor
any thing-to have real freshness s. power-must
be moulded by the in1uencies OF the society
where il had its origin; to reach high reputation,
II must have succeeded vividly to represent the
beau ideal Of that society; and such literature,
with US, would Of course have a republican tone
throughout, and so, from the time when it offered
20 the mind its earliest nutriment, would exert,
if an imperceptible, mighty force to inspire 1t
with the love Of free institutions. For whatever
literature presents under those attractions which
it knows how to lend, that 1t trains the mind to
regard with enIhusiasm; that, il is sue OF win
ning the heart to love.
How do we stand in respect TO this influence?
The danger to the institutions of one country
from too free and partial importation OF the fash
ious and modes of thinking of another, has al
wavs been a subject of the intelligent patriots
anxiety: and literature is the embodying OF these
fashions of life, and modes of thought. Cato the
Censor, exaggerating sound sentiment, told his
son that the Romans would certainly be ruined as
soon as they became acquainted with Greek
The Polish foreign minister, in manifesto to the
powers of Europe, has just complained of the
Russians diyesting his nation OF their nationaii-
~, by disc0uraging the use Of their ianguage!-
but ia what respect has the language the power
0f giving or taking away national spirit, so much
rs being a vehicle of literature? WHO, then,--I
repeat the oues.ion-has the forming of the
minds of the American people, through that lite
nature which is their minds daily bread? Who
make the books, who think the thoughts, who
breathe the feelings, which make our minds chief
company, and nurture, and impulse, from our
minds FIRST consciousness 10 their decrcpitude:
The answer is-and it is a serious ene-Tbe
English nation performs that work for US. Sc
rious, say, by no means chiefly for SO simple a
cause, as that their expositions of the theory Of
government will thus come into our hands to
unsettle our politics. Such is not the danger
We should be fortified against influences of that
direct kind, and we could meet such expositions
with better Of our own. But the danger is, that
in their works Of reflection, and eloquence, and
history, and poetry, and fiction, in all the cOnta-
zion Of sentiments presented IN every variety OF
attraction which the beautiful forms OF literature
admit. they have the opportunity OF an imperial
sway over our spirits.
This subject, it seems to me, is one OF para
mount consideration. Of the many profoundly
interesting specifications which belong to it, l
VIII uWSIl Oh only Onts Wui(Us VIII NUT
when we'll weighed, seem fanciful. We may
learn many sood things from England. fellow
ci,izens;-I should delight to pause to pay that
tribute of respect to noble nation, which would
he offered in an attempt to enumerate such;-
bat the love of that truth, first named among
those announced as self-evi.ent in our decara-
ton of independence, and truth which lies at
the basis of institutions, that need to be endeared
10 us,-the truth, namely, that all "all men are
created equal, "-love of this is not among the
rood things which England has to teach az The
onposite sentiment prevails there, 10 a degree
which A simple American can scarcely believe,
long after he has been used to witnessing it
There are other nations OF Europe where Office,
s;mple mower. may be more reverenced; -where
the bayonet is more feared, than there; this is a
different thing; but suppose no other natlon' at
any rate in the more civilized part OF that cont.
nent, is acquainted with blind and subduing
reverence COR mere rank-for the naked accident
nf birth-which approaches 50 near to the East
Indian idolatry of casie No station is exempt
from IT, low more than high. Scarcely any mind,
however philosophical or however radical, entire.
Iv escapes il. Every one who can read, is fami-
liar Nth the peerage book. Every where one OF
the most frequent themes Of discourse is found in
The alliance of noble families. The drawing
rooms Of authors Of the most heterOdox political
speculations are thought i'll furnished, without
representative Of the privileged classes for the
honored guest; and have been struck with won
der at remarking voices, on whose accents the
reading world would hang, sink into reveren-
tial tone, when titled name was to be uttered,
of no account beyond the boundary of the acres
which went along with it. OF course this univer-
sal style Of thinking, this caressed and most NOV
inc deluslon. this all but instinct OF the English
mind, finds its way into books. 1t oversPreads
The whole field Of English polite literature
History, song, the drama, are full of it. No
thing succeed without ssbt Even
would suppose, would furnish an exception, can
not do their work without its aid. Dunalien, who
IS to teach us all Christian graees, must have the
adyantase of being a peer Of the realm; and the
defender of the protestant faith in Father Gle
,neut would want sufficient recommendat'ons 10
tins Office, unless he belonged to the 'anaeo ar's'