The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-06-02


the age OF poetry like that of chlvalry, has gone.
There has lately sprung up amongst us new school
of literature which affords very reasonable promise
of maintaining the soundness of Mr. Talfourd's
views. We allude to the literature of the oyster
cellar There is depth Of poetic feeling-a bril-
lancy of genius-a fertility of imagnation-a bold
ness of conception, and a felicity OF expression
manifested in the published works of this school,
which are inexpressibly refreshing IN these degene-
rate days The founder of this school is liteatem
who, after receiving great many pommelings by
the way, and full snare of the varied fortune of
great genius, has last found an appropriate sphere
Tor the exercise of talents, which have never, until
now, 1t would seem, found fitting and sufficiently
profitable theatre OF action
The spirit of our age is essentially utilltarian.-
Men begin to entertain, becoming contempt for the
poetical distractions which amused their fathers
The value of every thing is estimated according to
the admirable standard of that philosopher, who,
far in advance'ot his time, inquired
For what's the worth of any thing
But just 50 much az it will bring III
The great and attractive characteristic of the new
school of literature consists in its perfect adaptation
to purposes of practical utility. 1t does not indulge
in any useless unsought-unrewarded expenditure
heasive grasp which distinguishes superior intellect,
the new school renders universal natur'' trbuta.
ry to its ends. Nothing is too contemplate for its
benevolent attention. The descent OF an oyster to
"that bourne" from which the fewer travellers re-
turn the better, isidescribed in glowing TERMS as
the fall of an empire-the interior OF an eating
house painted with as much poetical fervor, as the
banquetting-ha of paace-the proportions, do
mestic habits, talents, and disposition OF Tom
Thumb, tat Barnum's Museum, represented with as
much pains taking fidelity as those OF the most dis
tingushed English nobeman that ever Toasted a
poor travelling "penciller by the way"
This new school enters on new, wide, and emil
nently inviting field 1t is true il has been partially
trodden by few vastly inferior beings. But they
have never given to the world more than an occa-
siona good ale.house puff, and.a sonnet or two in
henor of "Pease's Horehound Candy" Their re-
ward hasbeen commensurate. 1t is doubtful whether
In any case it has exceeded dozen stewed oysters,
and glass of brandy and water. There is, indeed,
an unrecorded story of celebrated nostrum-vender,
having bestowed, in moment when elated by an
unusually large sale of resurrection Drops" the
munficent donation ofitwenty shillings on a men,
Der of the old school. But like most of the stories
which we receive from the tongue of grey tradition,
this one requires confirmation. The fact u.s. that the
predecessors of the ilusrious founder of the new
school, may have had the soul, but they lacked the
skill of the poet. They had sense enough to per-
ceive what might be done, butthey "couldn't come
it." They must, therefore, now make room for
their beters, and profit if they can by the example
of the genius, who is reaping fame and substan
tial nineteenth-century aurels in the fields where
they could only pick up a few wild berries.
We have said that the newt school of literature
has wide and inviting field before it, Why thou
sand themes; wooingly appeal to the poet and the
epistelary historian, in walk from Edgar House,"
to the Americana or in riding from the "out-of-
the-way wharf of the Great Western" to " the sub
tenanean cloister worthy of the approving nod OF
Sardanapalus." The excellence of "Sanderson's Ma
gic Strop' has never yet been sufficiently celebra
ted-the virtues of "McNair's Acoustic Oil" ask to
be sounded in our ears" The Steyermack Fami-
ly, band of German Minstrels," are surely as
deserving of "first rate notice." as their in
teresting neighbor Thomas Thumb D" The
Swallow" will swallow benbonniere, nicely
done up in sheet f:the National lntelligencer,"
as pleasantly as the Empire" or the " Massachu
setts." There are "Mrs. CAROLS Baths'-"Trow-
bridges Window Shades" Isaac Edges Fire
works." Brown 81 Ormonds Croton Water for
Shipping" Dr. Felix Gouraud's Poudres Sub
tiles" Martins Cash Tailoring Establishment
" DR.. Levett's Artificial teeth"-and ten thousand
subjects which Time fails us to enumerate. There
is no end to the materials. On every eve, the illus
trous founder of the new literature may exultingly
exclsm-
Tomorrow to fresh H.lds and pastures new ~
Who can fail 10 rejoice al this great intellectual
movement? A great department of literary labor
is elevated to proper point A wide opening to
literary usefulness and reward is openedup, and will
doubtless soon admit great many more passengers
than the Thames Tunnel. As no less than ten
first rate notices" can be condensed into single
column, the labor will be light and the; laures hea-
Wy. No longer need suffering genius starve in gar
rets, or eat the crumbs which fall from rich block.
heads tables. No fear that any future D'lsraeh
shall make our peserty weep with the sad story of
the " Caamites of Authors" This is now empha2
tcally the age of gas-and poets need no longer
hang their harps on the willows, when meat, drink,
and raiment may be elaborated from puff
THE BATTLE OF THE HOTELS. Quite an anus
ing war RACES at present amongst the Chief hotels
Of our city. The bone of contention is the posses
sion of the President during his stay here The
chances of success are tolerably equal and betters
are very prudent and calculating. The Carlton
House has strong hopes, and his honor the .Mayor
at present sleeps there if he be appointed bedfeow
Of his ExcelIency the point may be considered set.
tied, and the contest at an end. But this appoint
ment has not YET been made, and it is almost as
hard to say which of the candidates for Botts share
of the blankets will succeed as it is to predict the
fortunate host. Cozzens, of the American" is
very sanguine. He has been making great repairs,
and has purchased magnificent bedstead, a fac ST.
mile of that celebrated one in Washington, and the
sheets and blankets are of extraordinary amplitude.
The Astor House people are almost sure they will
get the prize; and they generally manage to ar.
range matters as they please, there is no knowing
what their luck may be- The Howards are quite