The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-12
Warrington.
Correspondence Of the Herald
VIZ TX IN 1910


lCorrsspsndence Of the HERALD
WAsHmsros, Feb 10, 1872
The Senate---Con n RIM ations---Unjust Criti-
cism OF the Political Press.
The principal part of the day was occupied by
the Senate in the consideration Of private claims
No business Of q public nature was transacted.
There was an executive session, during which the
nominations Of Mr.. Thompson, minister to Mexico,
Mr.. Irving to Spain, and Blackboard to 5ogota, were
confirmed. Rip Van Wrinkle will make sensation
in the diplomatic circles Of Madrid, If he should
wake up any time in the course of the next year or
two. HIS mission is to the Ahambra, and he intends
to revive and resustste the old Moorish dynasty.
These three appointments must put an end to all
the charges that have been made against the Prcsi.
dent, Of striving to make political capital out of the
patronage of the government. Nothing else could
have had the least weight, for a thousand such an
Pointmentswould not conciliate the support of two
men throughout the country. On the contrary. the
selection Of both Thompson and Irving is calculated
to repel support in every quarter. Never did On
Executive manifest more disinteres.edness-m
magnanmity. We hope his generosity will be ap-
preciated. Mr.. Thompson, an able and perfectly
suitable man, has not strength enough in South
Carolina to revolutionze school district Besides,
he is bound to Mr.. Clay by the closest ties of per-
senal and political attachment. Every body respects
Washington Irvag, but to any political advantage
from his appointment, you might as well look for it
from the ghost Of old Won Twiller.
Boz, in one Of his letters from England to friend
in this country, said it was really true fame to be
praised in the United Statet; because here cliques
or parties, or the influence of publishers oyer the
press, did notafiect public opinion.
This was very true with regard to Boz, because
no extraneous influence was brought to bear against
him. But the eliquss and influences which control
the fate Of native authors in England is just such as
is brought TO bear upon an American author in the
United States. A reader could tell, in reading the
critiques Of certain people in Philadelphia and New
York, without knowing what publishers-the Har-
pers or Lea and Blanchar d-issued the work, who
did in fact issue it, for certain Philadelphia papers
always praise the publications of Lea and Blanchard
and those certain New York papers always praise
the publications ofthe Harpers, and those of either
city the publications of the rival city, when
ever they can find or make occasion.
The author of "Ahasueras" has even more to con-
tend against the way of unjust criticism than his
fellow authors, for POLITICAL as well as publishing
Influences. are brought 10 bear against him.
The Independent, for instance, of this city, speaks
of the author in this wise
"The dynasty of chance ends not, we perceive,
in the elder Tyler. His succeeds to write, as the
father reigns, by accident Into larger inheritance
Of folly no young gentleman ever come Enlarging
it as he has done, by this production he may
set up seperate dominion, duncedom Of his
own
And reign through allthe realms Of nensence absoluts
That's an ad captandam critique, is it not? The
author of " Ahasuerus,' Mr.. Robert Tyler, is the
eldest son Of the President and is the signer of pa.
tents; an Office created under the administration
of General Jackson, to save the old chief from the
insupportable task ofsgning his to the patents
Besides signing the patents, Mr.. Tyler assists the
President in the ardious duties of his office, by
answering some of the numerous letters, which the
Chief Magistrate receives: and in many other ways
relieving the labor of the President. In the intervals
from these employments, Mr.. Tyler has employed
himself in the composition of this poem, for which
every mind Of generous impulses must give him
credit. The idle relaxation, which most young men
would court in his situation he has devoted to the
composition of power which not only exhibits high
literary merit, but which breathes the purest spirit of
philanthropy and religion.
''Ahasuerus," as you are aware, is founded
upon the tradition of the Wandering Jew, who,
it was supposed, was cursed with perpetual
existence, and doomed to wander over the earth
world-wom and agonised by remorse. 1t is an ad-
mrabe subject for the exercise of poetic power,
for the feelings, PASSIONS and impulses Of the Del
eide, may we'll be supposed to have been fraught
with honor.
The poem opens with the Chaldsan shepherds
hailing the star of Bethlehem and then passes iii
fragmentary manner, to the crucifxion. The fol-
lowing is the description of the Saviour bending be-
meath the CROSS
Lo! bending meth the burden Of the cross,
Through the dark owd the patient sufferer comes;
The cruel thorns upon his CORY brow,
The fame ofthirst upon his whitenl lips,
swaying from side to side, with strainng nerves,
Beneath weight that bows him to the dust"
Is not that graceful and poetic picture? The
description Of the Jew, which the limits of letter
will not suffer me to give, is also graphic picture,
and it contrasts aristically and ruthfuly with the
necklaces of the Saviour. The rendng of the tenn
pie, and the darkness which overshadowed the earh
at the crucfxion, also passage of much strength
Then nature breaks forth in her brightness again.
and in his description Of natural scenery, our au-
thor shows that he has looked abroad upon the
earth with poets eye.
After this we have the coming Of the last day
and the Jew wandering amidst the de-
ISOLATION and dissolution of the world-the last man.
Light breaks in upon him. Remorse finds vent and
relief in prayer-in heartfelt penitence." He &C.
knowledges his great sin, and the poem thus con-
cludes on the Jews making his duplicating atone
ment. A voice from on high is heard
" Hush. tbs the voice of the Almighty God
A the skies a dazzling radiance
The clouds roll back and Earth is bsthed in light
The leaps UP unclaimed through all his depths,
And laves his shores with amaranthine waves =
Down from their sources rush the volumed tides
And rivers sparklein the heavenly beams,
And lakes reflect the dimplng smiles Of moru;
The sod puts forth its luft, tse tree its leaf,
And flowers spring up from the sweet PEASANT sell,
Enainelng the land and springs soft winds
Bear to the violet the roses BREATH
And clouds OF perfume all the amber air.
Hush his the voice Of the Almighty God!
A crown of mercy circles his calm brow,
And sadAhasuerus sleeps at last.
Upward, on wings Of penitence, his soul
II q sought he Durer realms Of pte