Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-08-31
COMMUNICATIONS.
The SOuihsrn Literary Messenger.

| The Southern Literary Messenger.
| The September No. Of this valuable periodical
is unusually auac,ive. It opens with two acts of
a new drama founded on the Spanish Revolution OF
iS20, and the fate OF its brave but unfortunate hero
Riego. The author, whoever he be, is bold,
nervous and impassioned writer, and If the remain
ing acts sustained with the same spirit, the
whole piece will be highly creditable to the Dra-
matte literature our country.
The article styled "Genealogy of Ideas" nbounds
in learning, humour and elasticity, and perhaps too
much severity in some few pass ges. In tracing
the supers;ructure OF plagiarisms which SO many
authors have built upon Hamlel's celebrated exca-
nation, "Whai piece of work is man." Set
is strange thatthe boundless of the writer
did not supply him with the passage from Young,
commencing -"How poor,-how ich,--how ab
ei,-how august" SIC.
The continuation OF the EXTRACTS from the Jour.
nal Of an American naval officer"-and the some
what kindred "Scenes and Adventures in the army.
by q Captain o! u. 5. Drasoons, ARE both ajmr
rably written, and are full of the most thrilling
incidents. The story Of Hugh Glass, in the article
last referred to, whether considered in reference to
the style of the narrative or the ar-breadth es-
capes and extraordinary adventures of the hero
will be read with deep interest. In reading these
two papers the rejection strongly presents itself
that the officers of our army and navy, by the IN
credible sacrifices and hardshps which they endure,
are not only entitled TO moro OF our sympathy and
gratitude than they commonly receive, but that by
their literary taste and skill, they convert their very
tolls and souows into sources Of enjoyment to
Others and thereby presen. additional claims to our
regard.
No OF "Our Poets" is delightful paper. The
author has well said thh "with few exceptions, the
poetry Of America has been derived principally
from the sterile and rock bound States OF the sx
treme North, whilst the sunny South within whose
bosom lilo hidden so many germs of poesy, whose
sons possess The spontaneous gift of eioquence
twin-sis,er of poetry, whose very climate should
be an inspiration, has suffered her harp 10 hang
upon the willows. owning no master, and only
pouring fourth hIful strains OF melody when swept
by some passing hand" He ,hen goes on 10 ex.
plain why this is go, and shows that from the Pc
cuari,y of institutions and our different habits
and modes Of thinking--we have not yet "turned
from the scrutiny of the world without, to that
wi;hin,"-which inward scrutiny is so necessary TO
poetic excellence. The writer being Southern
man is entitled to the more praise for his candoc
and Independence in these times of sectional lea
his highly wrought euogy upon the "Buccaneer"
Of Richard II. Dana, will hardly find n response in
the majority OF worshippers Of the iunefu Nine.
| Miss Lomax's sketch OF the Literary character of
"Madame de Genlis," the "Edgeworih Of France"
though Brief is full OF thought and delicate disct
minaIion. This gifted young lady whose conirbu
tons have frequently adorned the pages Of the
Messenger, deserves oil praise and encourag ment,
for entering boldly the arena OF authorship in her
native State. IL requires not the eye of prophecy
to discern that with longer experience and practice
and under circumstances favorable TO literary cul-
ture and pursuit, she is destined as a writer to com.
mand large share OF public attention.
The translation from the French and the essay on
christianity and Patriotism" are excellent papers
Of their kind. The latter, it is surmised is from
the pen OF gifted and eloquent Clergyman Of
Richmond.
The closing article, being tho commencement, il
IS presumed, of a series Of essays on the "Greek
Dramatlsts" will attract considerable attention from
the fact, that It IS the announced production of
Charles Manageable, the lately appointed Prof.s
sor Of Human Tor languages) in the College Of
William and Mary. |, is understood that Mr. NJ
was the successful one, OF many distinguished can.
didaies for that vacant Pfoicssorshp-and that his
own superiority was established 10y Numerous and
honorable testimonials All this is undoub. edly
true, and it may be equally true that the Professor
elect IS al accomplished nguisl and literary anti
qunriau,-but II docs not follow that the eft of
wiring English elegantly or even correctly necea-
shHJ DsohBs 70 blIn. NOtiing can be more d M
cult task than 10 write with ease nd propriety
in a foreign toDgue-nnd if this proposition were in
the lenst doubtful or untenabe, the example Of 80
accomplished man Professor Mime gcroJe,
would 60 far 10 establish il. The first paragTnpI in
the introduction to his Essay is prolx. involved,
and consequently obscure but as il is rather incon
venient IN quote IT, the following sentence which s
not far OF, will answer by way Of illustration -
Thus We see, in consequence Of the nature OF the
soil, country inhabited by many different tribes
which, however, acknowledged themselves rs nc
nation, and by this Consciousness Of their relation
facilitated commerce among themselves" n a no.
mlna,iVe, verb, ard object ore necessary 10
constitute pefieo, sontence--thisi IL either veryim
perfect or very obscure. Bot waving oil objection
or difficulty on tho score Of syntax, Professor M
starts proposition or theory which is certainly in
cor ct with the received opinion Of the rational Al nd
intelligent portion Of mankind. He considers that
Greece, unlike every other nation contained within
herself the s.ods Of civilization add refinement which
she derived from external source but which were
exclusively tngendered in her own bison. This
novel hypothesis coniadels both sacred md profane
history, and IS utterly At war with the deductions
Of reason; at least such is the long cherished opinion
Of one who connects u with olhor and vi'al articles
Of belief, and who certainly would regret to relin-
qush y even IN Difference 10 scholastic etaphysics
| or antiquarian ingenuity
Not having Tine 70 praise or censure the poetry
IN this No. Of the Messenger, that sgroesbie ,ask
Is Tor tho present laid upon the table.