The native American., 1838-07-21
REVIEW, IN PART, OF THE SOUTHERN LIT
ERARY MESSENGER FOR JULY.-T. w
WHITE, EDITOR RICHMOND VA 9ra# @


This valuable book has been upon table for
time, and embrace leisure moment to our eye
over its contents.
The first article on ..ancient Literature, Zenophon
Mr. Ewing, Of Ohio formerly Senator from that State,
is instructive one, but mseraby deficient in those
high qualities that should have been produced by the
glorious subject and the wonderful Greek. The conden-
saton Of the adventures Of Zenophon is baren though
Mr. Ewing has displayed considerable taste in selecting
his subject The philosophy of his PREDATORY remarks is
not unnecessary in this leveng and antisudious age
and we agree cordially with Mr.. Ewing in the opinion
that reverence for the genius of the ancient world
should be kept alive for all of rich veins Of inspra
tion still flow from the deep wales of Tempe and Olym
p and the field Of Marathon, consecated to the triumph
Of civilization and poetry, and valor over barbarism will
long remain mighty source of sentiment and song.
Even the rsted shields, and spears and swords picked
by the burnt travellers upon the historic fields of
Greece. ard Persia, and Italy, to eyes hal
lowed and mysterious SPELL and the poet the painter,
gazing on them strikes his harp his brush and
10 eloquence and elegance the result Of the creative
charm. 1t has been by deep and holy reverence for
the antiquity of things, that we have that wonderful
classic of modern times, the Ion Of ralfourd and Wal
ter Scott, sitting the topmost summit Of the age in
which he lived looked back with eye bright with in
spration upon the remote vstas Of Saxon chivary
Celtic prowess. The growing distaste for the classic
memories of the dim but prodigeous influences Of hoary
age Of the signs OF these practical times We
see in it, with eye suused with melancholy tears, the
certain indication Of diseased taste in arts and literature
The stars Of the Grecian and Roman romance, wrapped
in grand tints Of poetry and fame, will shine no
more upon our plodding minds and the ancient sepul
chre OF departed genius will be ransacked not for the
purposes Of admiration but that amid the crumbled ashes
some spark may be discovered wherewith to light the
thrace furnace of steam II is from such as
Mr. Ewing, who have risen noby and sublmely from the
lowest depths Of poverty and obscuriy, to elevation su
cieny high turn the brain Of the most sagacous, that
the greatest aid in preventing the unfortunate prostraon
Of taste to be expected; and We will look to him to
sustain the pious worship of mankind for its ancient
fathers He is example, ustrous, too, OF the genius
Of modern activity which, contrasting with the
bIed testimonials aked from the Hercnlaneums of the
gloomy Dead inspires its voary with feelings Of pride
and exultaon We shall always against the boorisl
taste that tilts with broomstck against the beau idea
and oustan head Of all tasteful and beautiful minds tho
heaven. capped SUBMITS Of mysterious antiquity.
II The next article that shall approach, and the only
one that we have the time to examine, is ashy
tcle, entitled i" The Influence of Morals" We th
word fashy, because this paper nothing nor les
than ambitious flare; the author thinking that will
well strung torpedoes he could fool the world into be
lief that he had consumed the rivers and the deep
There is cant than virtue in this world and Their
Ills certain writing for the Messenger, who
deavorng alarm the People of these Staes with cre
and images Of rawhead and bloody bones. Bulwer, th
novelist, Byron the poet, the never decayns
themes on which these vapid and maudlin moralis
preach from the rising of the until the setting there
Iof. Monomana and hydrophobia. diseases apper
tanning to dogs and drunkards but there two dsea
ses which shall call the Buwermana and the Byron
mania, and which to nfest the minds Of virgin;
writers in peculiar degree. utt-
The age is the increase in responsibility, if not il
virtues and these Virginia prudes feeling the ancient in
Auence Of the Elizabeth morality under whose reign
modesty the old and glorious State colonized