The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-02
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.

The March number Of the Southern Literary
Messenger has made its appearance with more than
lis usual typographical neatness and beauty. This
periodical seems 10 increase in interest it ad-
vances in age, and every new number gives il
higher claim 10 the patronage of The public. II is
gratifying to see y ork like this SO long and SO
well kept up by It's editor and literary contributors,
and while il indicates no common industry perse.
versnce and talent in its conductor it reflects great
credit on those who supply its columns with such
laudabe regularity, with original matter so varied
and interesting. Every American should take
pride in palroniZing work credlabls to the ge-
Mus and literary talent Of his country and strive to
give il that impulse and assistance which will render
il permanently Furnishing and successful and be the
means Of making yield some just return to its pro-
prietor Tor the vast labor and expense it has cost
him 10 bring il to its present healthy condition.
Most Of the articles In this number are well writ
ten and interesting. The leading prose article,
" An Essay on the Influence Of Christianity on the
Criminal Law of England" is sensible and Judi
cious.
The History Of an Advenurer," is the COM
mencement Of an aulobographic tale of
length 1t is written in style Of splendor, bnt
what too ambitious, especially the introduction
The writer's mind is charged with information, and
he does not restrain his propensity 10 display it, He
is evidently man of fine talents and good writer,
but he wants the power TO rvet the attention, and
excite deep and thrilling interest in the reader.
be possesses invention and imagination, and il he
desires II, will distinguish himself in works of fc-
ton, as he might in any other branch of literature.
Tales have become the fashionable reading OF the
present age; almost all the European magazines
hed vii them; they constitute The principal plbu-
um OF the reading community. Bentley, the Me-
ropolitan, New Monthly, &C. contain very little else
than novels and tai s, and perhaps, TO that fact
their extensive circulation, and the interest with
which they are sought after and read The Ameri-
can mind, however, delights more in truth than tic
lion, and prefers the solid 10 The supeTfcial-he
ntiic 10 the dniei MIR. While conlrives 10 blend
these very agreeaby together in his Messenger, and
the reader can pass al pleasure
" From grave to gay, from lively to serene"
Mr.. Lindsay's Manuscript" and the Pastor"
are pleasing and well written tons and the other
prose articles reflect great credit on The several
writers There Is much truth and depth of thought
IN the articles entitled Thoughts and Reflections"
The following extract is as just as il is beautiful
The gorgeous autumnal aJweIs and the bril-
liantly colored leaves every which ornament
the fading year, and the variegaled clouds which
adorn The dying, are but types Of the glorious hopes
which faith weaves in the mind of the dying Chtis-
tian"
The critical notices in this numb are fair and
Tree from prejudice, and tho brief give just idea
OF the merits of The difier,n works noticed and the
poetry Is, on the whole superior 10 that OF OF
the preceding numbers Of this Magazine. Mr.
White furnishes mass of Interesting and valuable
original matter in each number of the Messenger in
the form which Lamb loved SO much the double CO.
iumn-in small type, and on well filled large Svo
page IL makes almost double the quantity contain
ed III any OF the European magazines, with the ex-
cepion Of Blackwood, and what would excite The
asonishment Of the foreign reader almost The whole
OF this IS understand, regularly supplied BY graiui-
tous contributors Among The matter of the presen,
number Is an interesting letter from very extraordi-
nary individual native of Connecticut and black
Smilh by trade, residing in Massachusetts, who,
ihough but y years OF age, and employed for eighl
honrs every day at the anvil, has acquired by un-
aided industry, critlca knowledge OF 6jty Ian
rHH0rS nt a. la FIJI,
ne says, 70 sci before the young men (work ingmeD)
OF my country an example in employing those in
valuable fragments OF time, called todd moments !"
and II IS an example worthy of all imitation, and
which not on'y The working bur all young men, OF
every class ia society, should follow.