The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-04
LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.
Correspondence of the Madisonian.

Correspondence of the Madisonian.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 80, lS4l
Dear Sir-There is little ofinterest stirring at pre-
sent in literary world mean that there is but
little variety and not much that is nep Cooper's
novel, "Ihe slayer"--in which the renown-
ed Leather stocking ofthe Pioneers again reviss
was, as you are aware published some weeks since
What the reviewers will say off am somewhat at
loss to conjecture, but in literary circles there
various opinions My opinion is, that the able
thor will loose none Of his aurels by his latest work,
and that the wellearned reputation Of Natty Bumpo,
in his several characters Of pathfinder" Hawk
Eye" "La Tongue Carribine" Misunderstanding
and "The Trapper," is sustained with signal ability
in "The Deer-slayer."
An edition, abridged by the author of Cooper's Ma
val History has just been published by Messrs Tho
mas, Cowperthwaite, &c. 1t is in a very neat l2mo.
volume and would be an useful work for schools 1t
is agreeaby written, and many defects Of style which
marred his larger work, corrected in this, and
variety of dull details have been omitted.
Byron, whose aurels appear green as when first
won and bestowed, destined with all his faults,
to maintain his high position in public estimation
Notwithstanding the appearance ofthree editions pub
shed within the last two three years, by many
different publishers and one of them, in IL beautiful
volumes, another edition. by still another publisher
in soupenir volume, has just been issued. The
type, though small is clear, and the paper good
Yards new novel, "De Clifford" just reprinted by
Messrs. Lea & Blanchard, bears the impress Of the
vigorous and cultivated mind of its venerable and
II ,,h~ ,.,h ~E,h nj
ard Of public taste and feeling would be greatly ele
waited and improved it, instead of the floods Of trashy
literature with which the press has, Of late, inundated
US, such works as Wards g 1remaine, "De We're,
"Ffeiding,' and "De Clifford" were more generally
read These will live long after numberess fashion
able novels shall have been forgotten.
know that shall afford you qualification by an
nouncing the appearance, at length of the complete
works of Lord BACON. Venerable Nomen What
treasure house acknowledge and wisdom is here
locked, and laid open to the English readerl say
the English reader, because all the latin writings of
this immortal philosopher are translated with rare abb
lily. This edition, comprised in three noble octave
volumes reprinted from the London edition Of Basil
Montagu, who has prefxed an able and elegant Life
of Bacon, and the American public are indebted to
the enterprise literally, and taste of Messrs Carey
and Hart, of this city, for this beautiful reprint
These gentlemen, by the way, set noble example in
their frequent republication of standard works. to
others engaged in the useful and honorable call
ing in the style in which their books are got up
an example which might be more closely followed,
and which, trust, aciH he followed especially in the
re production of works of standard merit. White pa
| nj laro la
to constant reader" and the works of those by
whom instructed or delighted, are treasured
with greater veneration and when they come to
us in becoming attire. trust the respectable pub
fishers of this noble edition of Bacon will be generous
ly sustained in such enterprises credable to their
intelligence and taste and useful in dffusing genu
inc knowledge and sound literature That they
could venture 10 publish such works at ALL especially
in such truly liberal STYLE is credable t. the inte
gence Of busy people, and is evidence Of improve
ment in other matters beyond mere wealth and exer-
nal greatness We claim, a nation, a due partici-
patton in the honor conferred upon human kind by
in the oden tlme and cherish with Just generation
their immortal memories, and it may well be doubted
whether they are generally, as fully appreciated by
those who claim tie exclusive inheritance of their IL
lustrious names, as by the American branch of the
great family of which they were, once the honor
and the PRIDE
Lord High Chancellor of England Bacon was
endowed with wisdom as it was admirable.
As Jurist he was profound and accurate almost
beyond example.
As Judge, he was pre-emnently sagacious and
practical.
As philosopher, he master Of all the learning
of his age, and was far beyond and above il. But,
alas for human greatness he not above it's yani
ties and weakness-and this exalted luminary, al,
tracted from bis orbit by the evil influences of the
times was lost 10 that dark cloud of corruption which
obscued his Brightness and destroyed, for the time,
his influence and power and giving occasion, years
after his fall for the celebrated coupel of En- glands
philosophical poet,
"Do parts allure thee l--see how Bacon shinJ
The wsest, greatest meanest of mankind"
Messrs. Lea g. Blanchard have at press "The Let
tiers, &c. of Horace Walpole," in octave volumes,
of (which will speak more at large upon publication.
Yours, truly, SCRIBE.
NAVAL.
o. Inc H. la