Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-11-13
a NEW pOEn

a new poem, from the pen of FIX President
Adams, has just appeared from the Boston press
ana VIII no doubt excite considerable attention in
the literary circles. 1t is entitled "DuyDiOt Mac
MorrogH or, the Conquest Of Irelaad," and occu
pies upwards of three hundred pages of pamphlet
he editor of the Boston Advocate has been IA
vored with copy of this production and notices
IL in these terms:
Mr. Adams has been enincntly successful in this
tancisul but elegant trihing of his leisure hours
lie has chosen for his theme the events which led
to the possession of Ireland by England in the
Twelfth century, and az has always been the fac,
since the days of Eve and Helen, in all cononests
and downfalls of and empires a lponau is the
cause of all.
Dcrmot, King of Lcinster, seizcs and carries off
Dovcrglda, wife of Ororic, who in return attacks
DcrmOt and drives him out of the kingdom He
applies to Henry of England for succor, and rava
ges LIS Kingdom, which he consents to hold i'm
Vassalage under the crown OF England. Henry
awaited hiihself OF this claim, and through il
achieved the entire conquest of Ireland
This outline MIR. Adams has wrought into a
beautiful moral illustrating the triic, but as he con-
| ceivcs, false maxim, that History is Philosophy
teaching by example; aphorism which he saws,
has made greater fortune in the world than it de-
| serves. 'History, as it should be written and
read is the school of morals teaching sometimes by
example. but much more frequently by Ammunition"
| 10 tost this truth, says Mr. A. 81 would ask the
young men and women Of my native country, who
may charge an idle evening with the perusal of the
| of phiiOSophy would be taught by the erainpIe of
Henry the ID Of England, or of DcrmOt Mac Nor.
rough which resulted in the conquest of Ireland /"
He adds, with well deserved sheer, "Ddvid
Hume passes for philosophical historian"
This correction of a false notion of the nature of
history, as it has heretofore been written is worthy
the attention Of man even distinguished and as
grave, ms is Mr. Adams, and inc has perhaps chosen
tho best possible vehicle for illustrating IT. This
is no other than the studied negligent measure cee
DRAFTED IN the Italian sch OILS Of poetry but first syc
cesJuHy engrattcd into the English language bv
Lord Byron in his inimitabe Bcppo and Don Juan:
the last n poem of more genius, in our own conccn
tlon Than Miton's epic, aud ofunsurpasssd richness
IN dolIcacy OF satire fancy and truth to nature We
say nothing OF its ifnmoratics, but Of its powers
Mr. Adams has successfully followed this model
ono which seems most easy of imitation and 90.
is most difficult. 1t has been redeemed in fhc ,rc
sent instance, from every thing offensive, which
gives so much point to Byrons satirc for il is much
easier to be smart, when you disregard decenc,.
than 1t is to be witty and severe without being in
tho slightest degree, indecent or rude In no Tneo
cure applicable to poetry, is tner, so slight shade
as IN this, between the sublime and the ridiculous
mere IS scarcely middle ground of mediocrity,
and II will either excite ADMIRATION or diseusf as II
is successfully OF unsuccessftIlIy attemptSd. II is
form OF poetry which we have always preferred
TO all others, for enlbodyng at once the grave and
gay the lively and severe the triGing and pathetic
| VT. Adams has certainly been successful in IT,.
There is Tot much effort in the ina gnative pa
thec, but the satire is delicate polished and So
we're, and the friends OF the distinguished author
have no cause TO regret that he has condescondod
TO tride, with tew Of his leisure hours, and has
given the results 10 the world.
! IN his preface, ". Alacl7 ssy5.- "the g3S', :;
ass we'll sGsP'ed 70 we ccniposiuoa o. al -,