The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-31
CORRESPONDENCE.
NEW YORK PRESS.

|
DEAR Sin The Nep York American is published
in the evening, and has, for many years, been under
the superintendent and control of its present editor
and proprietor, Charles King Esq.
/ Like its diurnal rivals, the American is deeply
imbued with the peculiar characteristics of the edi-
tors mind and the general tone Of its original mat
ter is consistent with his sentiments.
| Although the American contains the usual variety
of mercantile and business intelligence and duly
cords the mufarious " accidents by food and field"
which sought for with such avidiy by the lovers
Of the marvellous and the victims of curiosity, vet
its columns are, 10 greater extent, devoted to the
discussion Of literary subjects and reviews of new
publications than either Of its city contemporaries
| Its structures are usually able and impartial and
the editor brings to his task mind deeply stored
with ancient and modern lore, the application of
which to the themes under discussion apt and forci
/ Bile. There are times when the prejudices Of the
editor interfere with his better judgment but such
occasions not frequent
/ With Bellies Letres literature he Is peculiarly
conversant, and on Saturdays several columns OF
Inc American are devoted TO review of the litera-
ture OF the preceding week The associations OF
the editor of the American are generally connected
with the leaders of fashionable metropolitan society,
and his paper is considered TO certain extent the
organ of clique of exclusives who aspire 10 con-
troll of the Bon ton. a.
Connected with this impression is the generally
received opinion that his predictions allied to
the aristocracy of wealth. and that he is al heart the
friend of strong government. That the well known
opinions OF his deceased parent, the late Hon. Rufus
King, may have been considered inherited by his
son, and thus caused the public to take his sentiments
somewhat for granted is not improbable am dis
| ILL. -.
are still partially sustained by the worthy editor.
The circulation of the American is not very ex-
tensive but its subscribers are usually Of the best
class.
It's political creed is decidedly Wing, and its con-
roversal discussions are not unfrequenly tinclured
with undue aspery.
Ihave often been struck with the positive and domi
neerng spirit which, at times, pervades its political
| editorials, and while freely admitted The talent
with which they were written could not but lament
the want of tact which dscernble in every para
graph The selected matter Of The American usually
displays the good judgment of the editor and his
| knowledge OF the popular taste. Without being
varied and miscellaneous as those Of other evening
papers its selections nevertheless frequently in
teresting and attractive The theatrical criticisms
Of the American arc generally discriminating and
impartial. The structures on this subject are only
offered when the theme is worthy of remark and on
such occasions the public enlightened and their
taste purified by well directed comments the faults
and beauties of the drama and The comparative me-
rits and defects Of the performers. The influence
of the American is, Ipresume, circumscribed. In
dependent Of Its circulation being mostly confined
to that portion of population which is found in
fashionable life neither the tone of its political dis
QUESTIONS, nor the mode Of their application, are
calculated to bias the judgment oflhe reader.
To sum up ALL the American may be considered
good authority on subjects Of literary character
but consider it decidedly inferior to some of its
evening contemporaries in furnishing those frequent
and lie-like sketches OF passing events which give
a zest newspaper literature, by showing the very
age and body of the time his form and pressure"