New-York daily tribune., 1844-07-10
.Pencilincs b, the WAY"

MrWis's Letters from Europe, originally pub
lshed in the pages Of the Mirror through the years
lS33-4-5, were among the best of the contrlbu
tions which lifted that periodical from humble 10
avery high rank in our lighter periodical literature
There were many who deprecated, some who
sneered at but very few who were in the habit of
reading travels and notes on Society who did moi
eagerly pcruse them. They are very different
from any thing we should or could have written
in travelling over the same ground-thcy do not
treat of the aspects presented 10 traveller which
seem to us most important-and yet we were
even more delighted, if less instructed, by these
Pcncilings than we should have been had they
been written after our own heart Willis is
Poet-there is no use in denying it, though he is
not Milton nor Byron. He observes acutely.
enjoys what nc secs, Though he does not see all
we could wish,) and describes decinusly. o.
the Society he mingled with, the scenes ne lin
gcred among, the objects which Interested HIM,
there are no more lifc.like records than those EN-
bodied in Penciings by the Way Those who
have not read these Letters have pleasure in
reserve fit to make them in love with life, while
those who have read them by driblcts Will be the
first to welcome and devour this complete edition
The former collection contained but half The Let
tiers, gathered up at hap.hazard. The whole have
never been accessible before.
In his Preface, Mr.. Willis pungently, over
whelmngy rctorts upon his assailant, Lockhart
OF the Quarterly, the charge of violation OF the
confidence of the social circle in his notes of con.
vcrsations with Moore and others. We are not
sure that Mr.. Willis fully vindica,es himself, but
his error, ii any, was inconsidcrate, and by no
means deserving the iorocity with which it has
been aSSaed.
-PExcIl,Scs BY THE WAY Written during years
Residence and Travel Fmace. Italy Greece Assn Minor.
Turkey. and England by y. Z. WILLIS Fist complete Edl
Morrs * Willis. 1 Ann-s,.
FLOATING DocK.-One OF the Mexican War
Steamers was taken out on the sectional Floating
Dock foot Rutgers street, +. r. on Monday, III
about two hours with the same facility ond ease
with which they would raise pilot boat The
larger the vessel to be taken out, the better this
dock appears 10 be adapted TO The task.
We have frequently expressed ouT opinion in
relation to this plan of dock and its adaptation 10
large vessels and have only room now to advise
ali who have any curiosity feel any interest IN
the Improvements going on, TO go and see this
dock sustaining this noble iron steamer firm and
secure, with every part of her bottom and keel
exposed to the light and air with, shp-yard for
the workmen Oh either side.
We understand the Secretary of the Navy is
to be here this week 10 examine this Dock and
nope he will be here in time either 10 see this
steamer out on the dock or the other larger one
which we learn is 10 follow her-rased and
that ne will have an opportunity of convefsing
with our shipwrghts in relation to the Dock
II We learn from Washington that Cabinet
Council had been held, at which it was deter.
mined TO comply with the reques, OF the Phiia-
celphia authorities, and 10 despatch detachment
Of U. s. troops 10 aid in quelling the riots-a
measure happily now become unnecessary
u The Fourth was celebrated With great
spifit by the Wings of Salem, Mass. Stirring
Speeches were made BY Hon. S. c. PHILLIPS,
tion D. P KING, ABBOTT LAWRENCE. LEvERErT
SALroNsrALL and others; and letters read from
Messrs CHoArE, BATES, J. VI. Boris, etc.
" Mr.. GouoH, the eloquent Temperance Lee.
Petance on the 4th.