The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-08
FOR THE MADISoNIAN.
THE SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
FOR JANUARY.

This monarch of Magazines has been lying upon
our table couple of days, and that is longer than
generally leave it in repose before regale our
selves upon its contents-whch we always know to
be rich, varied, and abundant.
This periodical, in point of size, ranks with the
quarterly reviews and ably conducted the best
of them. This number which is better than all its
predecessors contains forty articles comprising
biographical sketches, reviews essays, tales, poetry
&c, &C., all original and all far above medocrity.
After the editors New Years Greetings the first
article is Biographical Notice Of the late Fl. H.
Bracken,idge-than which it would have been difficult
to find more interesting subject, for the name and
fame of the deceased were interviewer with some of
the most exciting events of our history. This able
notice is by Judge Breckenridge, the son Of the de-
ceased 1t occupies some twenty pages of the Maya
zine, and is fraught with much and varied inte
rest that regretted its brevity. AS yet, it
not lacking in any thing. 1t is full and complete
and says all that the subject requires for perfect e
cidaton but there is matter enough in the life of
that man to fill couple of volumes We next pc
rused seven chapters on Female influence; it occu-
pies altogether dozen pages. 1t is sort Of noret-
etc, and has love story, &c. We were much inte-
Tesleu III lt-tnOuSH we HOW leSs paTtldl W
kind of reading than we were " when we first went
to WOO"
The article on the poet Keats, by H. T Tucker
man, particularly pleased us. This poet was the au-
thor of the so much quoted line,
ga thing of beauty is JOY forever"
The history Of Keats is a curious one, and it is
here well and briefly told. He Of very humble
parentage and his fortunes were humble through his
life The reviewers treated his publications with
excessive severity, and it long prevalent opn-
ion that this bitter cup which he forced qua
was the bane of his existence. Poor Keats, He
was not the first nor the last who has been murdered
by the pen
Next, is the history of the Knights of Malta.
This occupies half dozen pages, and is full to over
flowing of strange, curious and romantic history 1t
is literally moitpn in pdro. But IL must be read TO be
appreciated
| The article on Arabian literature is also full of
curious facts 1t contains poem of .fntar, whose
wild and singular writings have been the theme of so
much discussion among the Oriental literati
| Next we have series of short pieces on a variety
of subects-a rich dessert to the preceding banquet.
Among them are articles on the " The University of
Virginia." I" Romance" I" Reading and Writing -
Fitch the inventor, No. of Scenes in the West "
" A tale of Western Virginia. and " Medtatons
among the tombs."
| But, must not close this notice without aud-
ing to an able article upon I" Our Navy" 1t may be
considered rerie,c Of Secretary Upshurs report to
Congress 1t takes up the subjects of reform, condi-
tons of sailors, grade of Admras the need of new
grade of officers, naval school, depots at the South
condition of the Navy, and closes with a handsome
tribute. We recommend this article most especially
to the crsal of all who have the honor of our coun-
try at heart.
To concude-there is good sprinkling of poetry
among which we instance The Sniess Child" by our
old favorite MIS- Seba Smith. This ladys writings
always please is it because she is young and
beautiful-they intrnscally good, and such as
all must like because they natural and brilliant
and bear self-evdence of emanating from heart as
well as head.
To conclude our somewhat elongated article, let all
who would keep up with the spirit of the age in lite
rature subscribe for this magazine. OF one thing
we are certain, that all who kno any thing of its
ralue or of its standing among periodicals, will do SO
without delay. Then, will MIR. White the talented
editor be still better able to command the services
the best writers in the country understand he
intends to do whether his list Of subscribers be in
creased or not. l.
~ The Branch Bank Of the Bank Of Pcnnsyva