New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-27

Museum of Foreign Literature was announced
some time since; and this is the first number IS
sued since the union effected. The form OF the
Museum is retained and the general character of
that periodical seems to have been preserved
The Magazine. though valuable, is still not pre-
cisey what We hope it viii be made. We regard
ed the establishment of the Eclectic with favor
mainly because it promised frequent translations
of tho ablest and best Reviews which appear in
the leading literary periodicals of France and Ger
many In the latter country especially Criticism
has been made an Art and has enlisted the exer-
tions of her most eminent men. Her periodical
Magazines have always been under the care Of the
very first philosophers and the most powerful wri
tiers in the country Schiller, Goethe, Herder,
Schelling and others of the same high stamp have
entered zeaoasy into the support, and have often
assumed the Editorial charge Of the leading Quar-
terly and Monthly German reviews. Under such
auspices the review literature of the nation must
be of tbs highest worth aud the same remarks
are true, though to less extent, of the best peri
odical literature Of France. To these sources
comparatively few of general readers have &C.
cess The German especially is locked up from
the great body of American readers, for its Ian
guage is studied BY but few, though their num-
Der, we are glad to see, is rapidly increasing.
Review then, which promised carefully to select
and present in an English dress the most import
ant of these foreign critical papers, appeared to be
of the highest utility, and to supply grovous
lack in our periodical literature. This dis
tinguishing feature of the American Eclectic when
it was first projected, and its earlier numbers had
q high value on this account. The papers which
it presented of Icelandic literature, and Of the
productions of other nations scarcely less known,
gave it decided worth and interest. We arc sorry
to this plan not well completely carried out.
We have in other forms reprints Of the best Eng
lish Reviews, and every really important paper
which appears in them is of comparatively easy &C
cess. The Eclectic we hoped would place its main
strength, therefore, in its department of transla-
tons, and leave tho other to Magazines which al
ready existed; and we hope even yet that its con-
ductors may find their true interest in this course.
This number is made up entirely from British
periodicals. The leading article is the able and
liberal review of Alison's History Of Europe from
the last number Of the Edinburgh. While 1t gives
the distinguished author full credit for the indus
trious research with which he has accomplished |
his task, and for the abundant materials which ne
has accumulated, his style is severely censured
and the philosophical spirit OF his work Is most
decidedly and powerfully condemned. Ills uni
form and bitter abuse of democracy is shown to
be quite unfounded, and many of the errors into
which he has fallen, in ascribug important events
to the principles out of which they CREW. arc clear
" pointed out and corrected. 1t is an admirable
review and well worthy an attentive perusal.
A long and very interesting account of Motats
Missionary Labors aud Scenes in Southern Africa
is reprinted from Tait's Magazine, as is also the
racy and pleasant paper from the Edinburgh on
Madam de Sevigne and her Contemporaries.
The Monthly Review furnishes very instructive
and valuable paper on ''Chatterton and his Works.
presenting some facts not before generally known
concerning this marvellous genius, and giving "a
clear and connected sketch of his life and exIaor
dinary works The Memoir and Remains OF
Charles Wolfe,' the author of the well known Ode
on the Burial of Sir John Moore, is the SUBJECT OF
a good paper from the Dublin University Maya
zine, asd the Asatc Journal is made to contribute
an entertaining sketch Of the life and travels OF
Alexander Csoma de Koros, distinguished chiefly
for his devotion to Oriental learning. Several
briefer papers are included and good array OF
literary items, intelligence, &C., is presented.
The Magazine is an excellent one of its class
though we wish its character was somewhat modl-
fed in the respect we have mentioned.
Tue BURNING OF SCHENECTADY AND OTHER POEMS. 10y by
ALFSEp q. STREET Albany Weare c. Little. 1857.
In common with the numerous admirers OF MI.
STREETS Poetry we rejoice that be has at length
been induced collect portion of his illusions
and to give them to the public in this form. We
regret only that ne has dealt sparngly with US,
and that he has not deemed it expedient to make
clean breast at once; and we trust that he will
vet think better of the matter, and throw himself
unreseryedly upon the good graces of the reading
community. We veRture TO assure him that he
will find in the public mind an appreciation fully
commensurate with his high deserts. The rank
oe Mr.. STREET as Poet of originality, vigor OF
conception, and especially of eminent descriptive
powers and felicity of expression, is fully settled
by the unanimous SURFACES of tho most competent
judges Though yet quite young man, he is DC
cidedly among the most promising American
Poets. La descriptive and analytical Poetry nc
certainly has few supeIiors; and this may be re-
gardea as eminently his forte. He looks abroad
upon Nature in all hsr magniGcence, and in the
most minute details of her countless operations,
with an eye which takes in at glance every fea-
ture of the landscape, every manifestation of ami
mate existence, every hue of coloring every ana
losy which vivid imagination suggest. and
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