New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-16
THE TRIBUNE
1iterarp Notices.

Of this excellent magazine: and it contains several
articles of decided value and interest. Prof Min
nigerode, Of William and Mary's College, contri-
bues q very instructive essay upon the Greek
Dramatists, which we are sure will be read with
pleasure by classical scholars. The writer gives
US succinct sketch of the principal plays of So
phocies, Escbylus and Euripides, mingling com
lnents upon these with accounts of the character
Of the age in which they wers written. Euripides
he thinks decidedly Inferior to the other wo:-the
Incidents of his plays, he says, are too accidental
and artificial, and his mind by no means so pure
and noble as those of 4Eschylus and Sophocles.-
We copy the concluding paragraph fhis criticism
/" 10 me he appears to belong to those shallow
minds-a great number of which we might find
also in days, who, having tasted little of phi
losophical doctrines, are so much delighted with
their wisdom, that the creed of their ancestors,
that religion which inspired them, that devotion
which made them great, appears to them gate
ridiculous their splendid understanding over
looks its claim entirely, and smiles with contempt
or pity on those who conhde in it. But the high
thoughts, the great truths, which, though often
mixed with errors, form always tie foundation Of
sinscre devotion, are inaccessible to what is called
their enlightened spirit Such narrow-minded
sophistical persons, will find a good teacher in
"the great Esripides, who, in his wisdom, is 50
blind that he see the grandeur of religious
idea, because his little mind clings only to some
nAing circumstances, by which it is accompanied
He undermined the religious devotion of the peo-
pie, aud this influence OF his works is demoraliz-
ing for truly religious feelings, though they
b filled with errors, form always the great founda-
ton of moral strength in b people; and when they
are gone, the people become degenerate These
are the faults of his time, and his own. For them
be WAS hated and scorned by Aristophancs."
A review of the Political Character and Writ
ings Of Bolingbroke is gven-well written and
presenting clear outline Of his political career
with slight insight into his persona! character
and literary worth. The Extracts from the Jour
nal of an American Officer contain a thrilling
tale of duel with vivid sketches of naval life and
Of naval characters
The leading article is translation from the
Italian of Letters written to his friends at home by
ayoung Italian Exile who sought an asylum from
political persecution in this New World. The
portion here presented relates mainly to Boston,
and is written with great elegance and ease and
gives many valuable and interesting observations
conserving men and society in that city The writer
was sadly disappointed at not finding among us
hst absence Of pretension, the remains OF ancient
simplicity for which he had looked in the descend
ants Of the Puritans but finds great consolatontor
all these minor annoyauces in the magnificent Ii
bary of Harvard University to which be had daily
access. The following passage is worthy OF atien-
ton
ain Italy, the very name of stranger isa passport
to cvility and kindness. Here, while you require
no sealed and signed document from any of their
European majesties to ensure free communication
and travel you can scarcely ask the slightest civil
hy, or approach ona'of your kind without exciting
acertain degree of suspicion; and your disadvant
age is still enhanced, if, in addition to the name of
foreigner, which, like original sin, is deemed
COMMON faint, you also bring the still less pardon
able sin of poverty. The necessity Of earning a
livelihood, however honestly, certainly the worst
recommendation with which to enter foreign
country; nor is it the less in the New World,
since here, as well as elsewhere wel!-hlled purse
sad the disposition literally TO dispense Its con-
tents, will insure the heartiest welcome. ne
Americans too, being universally intent upon gain,
are naturally indisposed to encourage new compet-
ors, and their time is too completely absorbed IN
business to allow Of their devotng many moments
10 the interests of foreigners. Their lives are en-
tely spent in striving after new accommodations;
and the whole glory of their existence Is reaucea
to the miserable vanity OF having 1t said after
their death, that they have left considerable
estate; and this short-lived renown is awarded &C
cordiug to the greater or less heritage bequeathed
This is not only the course of the father, but OF the
children; for they, being by law entitled to an
~. c, re
follow in his footsteps in order TO obtain their
shares of this same glory-that the question, how
much has he left Z may be answered as much to
their credit as it was to that of their sire. Ihus
The young and the old-those barely possessing
competence and those rolling in wealth. with equal
leal bend all their energies to the common end.
Intent upon gain and traffic, they too absorbed
tothink of any but themselves. They calculate,
with watch in hand the minutes and seconds as
they pass. and seem naturally averse TO any con-
yersation of which trade and speculation arc not
the subject. Hence results, as natural conse-
qaence, the prevailing medioeri,y of ideas and feel
Ing, derived from the uniform system OF education
and manner of thinking as well as the great SINH
lari,y of interests. Hence, TOO, the equal tenor OF
lie, and the absence of great vices as wei! as OF
great virtues; hence, the social camness and uni
versa prosperity, and hence the apparent insensl-
oiiiy to the appeal OF misfortune, resulting from
the want Of exercise of feelings of ready sympa-
thy and compassion, incident to such social con-
dlon.'
The letters are written in sad, occasionally de-
spending strain, Of which the following extract
beautiful in itself-is good example:
{" l desire to aude to these circumstances in re-
ply that part of your letter, wherein you recon.
mend me not to forget Italy and our studies. But
as yet you seem unaware, that in this land have
conceived love of country, not only more power