The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-19
#tstelIaneous.
AMERICAN AUTHORS IN ENGLAND

From The N. Y. American. /,
Ering Claiming Cooper; Bancroft Tho
mas Campbell J American Tourists VII
lis; Mrs Sigovney Miss .Sedgeloick J;
Daniel Webster, &c.
My dear C-You request me to tell you how
the writings OF Irving, Cooper, Bryant and Will
lis are regarded in the Father Land. hardly
dare give you the results of my brief and hasty
observations on so delicate topic. Before
whispering few words in your friendly ear, toll
crate two or three preliminary observations
like your loquacous old friend, Deacon B
in the Massachusetts Legislature, who common
ced his maiden effort with MIR. Speaker,
wish 10 say a few words before begin to speak,
You will not expect me TO deny that the stand
ard Of literary excellence is loitier in Great Bri-
tain than in the United States. Todispute this
truth with the air and tone OF brageart, estab-
fishes, In the estimation OF disinterested and can
did observers, the very ositon ii seeks TO dis
prove. Such vaporing Is TOO often digni6ed by
American editors with the name OF patriotism,
when il is the mere puffngs and swelngs of an
offended national pride; the most offensive form
in which pique and vanity can make themselves
ridiculous Destitute alike of common sense and
candor, it is equally removed from high minded
love OF country struttng offspring OF mar
row prejudice against every thing not of domes-
tic growth That he may be the wiser who is
yet to learn that the terms, eminent lawyer, elo-
quent orator brilliant poet ripe scholar, profound
philosopher, mean something more in London
than in Lexington. That equal talent and more
knowledge are diffused through our population,
from the st. Johns TO the Sabine, than exist be-
tween John OGroats house and Lands End is
true; but these intellectual treasures con-
gregated in such heaps Gf ! may so speak, in
America as in England This is our glory and
her shame; our blessing and her bane. And do
w envy torpiunprs their curses event Know-
ledge and talent with us dlfused with sun
shine prodigality-lke rights and wealth Not
so England They centre in the few. We are
not only all created equal, but are born quasi
orators, poets, and philosophers. The Univer-
sal Yankee Nation has "a gifi' that way while
nine tenths of her Majesty's subjects, like hump
backed Richard, enter the world not half made
up or at all events, leave it in that sorry plight
Then, in asserting that a prodigious English
man absorbs into himself the intelligence Of a
whole parish of poor drivellers let Us not in the
same breath deny that he is a prodigy.
But methlnks hear you say, enough of these
un American ttuths: to the point,
Among the mere Es>aysts-the lighter por
ton of the lterati-ihose who wite much and
PRETTY, but never profoundly, WASHINGTON In.
WING, OF all other prose authors, carries the Eng
lish palm. But, among the thinking, learned
original portions of the literary circles, Dr.
! CHANNINo stands unrivaed Greater numbers
admire Mr.. Irving: mere intellect asserts the su
periorlty of DIR. Charming. His reputation is
established with those whose sutlrages cannot be
won by sentimental tale, however charmngly
told, or superficial essay, though its every hue
be thread Of gold.
LEATHER STOCKING is almost as great hero
in Britain as in America. A noted barrister
who IS alike conversaht with Coke and The
| 4 lasslcs, said to me, " Y our Cooper is a charm
lug wrter-the Walter Scott Of America" HI
was proud, prejudiced Engshman, and per
haps the remark was meant quite as much fol
equvocal compliment to my country, as to praise
the author Of the Pioneers
think WILLIAM CULLEN Bryant stands a
the head Of the English list of American poets