Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-10
LITERARY REVIEW.
{ From the Ne,c York Courier 8 Enquirer ]
q. nysc ppIuIIc0-A NOVEL,


British press to the sickly and perverted taste
of the times. 1t belongs to the school Of Byron.
a dangerous school, inasmuch as it mixes up SEN
timent and scoundrelism, religion and skeptieism,
in about equal proportions, and wells the deior-
,nity of crime under the mast Of strong feelings,
or irresistible impulse. In this mischievous and
corrupted school, the passions are JumoIed TO-
se,her in the most heterogeneous confuslon--the
deepest depravity is associated with the Purest
love. and a capacity for the must heroic actions,
made compatible with the perpetration OF the
most atrocious villanies. Refinement and de-
baucherv--love and lust-courage and feroeity
PHILOSOPHY and sensuality. every species Of
moral ingenuity, are represented in one and
the same person in such equal proportions, that
the unreHecting reader knows not whether to adj.
mire the abstract excellence, or despise and ab-
hor the practical vilahy Of the hero. Sympa'
thy is invoked for the most diaboical excuses
of guilty passion, and that virtue which displays
itself 10 outrasing every duty. and violating
every moral principle, and every offence against
God. our country and our ne'shoour, Is CLOSED
over By the wretched cant OF late, necessity.
uncomfortable impulse, and such wretched
cannon place. In short, by a habitual adj.
miration Of the distorted. unnatural lncongru.
Gus monsters which the writer's of this school
have yomited forth upon the world within the
last few years, the youthful imagination has
been seduced into an admiration oil the very
worst and most dangerous modeis-the gentle
man emulates the splendid triumph and atroci-
ties of Don Juan, and the lady signs IN secret
for soch q lover as the gallant Corsa,r. The
percep,ion Of virtue and vice becomes indistinct
in the contemplation OF such brilliant atroci-
Ties. aud like children at fire, they stand gaz-
inc in unrefiecting admiration Of its brightness,
unmindful of the ruin and misery it produces to
thousands.
The work which has called forth these brief
remarks, is one Of the very worst specimens OF
this school that has ever fallen under our notice.
The author has at length reached the climax OF
wicked extravaganza, and let US humby hope
that "a tins is the most delestsb!e, so 1t VIII be
the last OF its kind. The force Of perverted
taste can 20 no farther, and according to the old
proyerb "when things are at the worst, they
must mend.'' Irksome and disgusting as the
task is, we have considered IT duty we owe our
readers, to enter upon brief analysis OF this
monstrous production, accompanied by occasional
extracts, with view OF exhibiting It's detormi.
ties of style, as we'll as its horrible obliqutles oil
sentiment and passion.
The very first sentence is quite sufficient to
Indicate to the discreet reader, that the writer
new school of chvalry, aud means to lay all his
crimes TO the charge Of his Maker. "The
hand of the 6end," SAYS he, "was on me at my
birtb.n This is the true cant, aud signifies no
less. than that the writer being thus at his
birth placed under the guidance OF the hend,
cannot be called to account for his actions IN any
court of sentiment in chrlstendOn.
The unfortunate gentleman then goes on to
portray his Youthful character. and exploits
What a beautiful idea of the innocence, the sim
plfcity, the purity Of children is conveyed in the
following extracts!
~ was naturally crafty, and often in my ear.
lest years have gloried in the consciousness oil
successful deceit. Often have | listened to
some inconsiderate confession. while appeared
eoprsssed by my puerie amusements-and OF.
ten have planned some intricate revenge while
laughed with the individual | sought to injure.
And af,erw ards in all the exstacy OF triumphant
male, olence, have said to myself, They deem
me ,noffensive; a 'boy'-a mere boy-but the
poison Of the upas tree is within, and will car
~ its desolation into the homes Of the happy,
And their hearts will lay waste as with lire and
sword How little were those who supern.
tend nv education inclined to suppose that l
could have entertained such thoughts as these"
Let those interested in the instruction OF youth
be assured that the passions OF the boy are as
strong "a, if not stonger than those oil the man
though unfortunately he has not the same pow
err Of gratifying them, or their affects would IN
deed be fearful.
..Almost the earliest incident Of which have
NM . recollection was visit was permitted to
make at the house Of school fellow. We lay
in different beds 10 the same room. he was
quiet. affectionate, kind boy. who by his good
humor and endesring vivacity had won the hearts
Of all who domesticated with him. In the morn
ing he asked how had slept! replied, in
voice that howled with rage, and with the spirit
Of the demon looking out at my eyes, Il have re.
NAMED awake the whole night, and have cried
through every minute Of it in order that l may
be abb. to show a sick face to your father, and
declare that you have tormented and beaten me-"
At school he fights desperate battle with
how. and is beaten as he deserved.
.From that moment the darkest feelings which
can disgrace poor human nature took possession
If NV breast. lived only in the expectation Of
an opportunity for attaining it Of
fer.d itself too soon. was tyrannising over an
how. who was weeping and writhing |