Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-02-03

IL ledVeS 10 be taken Tor granted. we snail
find ourselves but little nearer the true ma
tnre of that Of which the exploitation as
sumes to inform us. II it was intended
onl Y 10 mean: the most harmonious ar
rangcment made out of the most eupho-
NOUS words, it would certainly fall far
short Of correct definition. Its acu'e
and phiosophlc author, however, meant
more than this. lie never intended to ex-
clude the living thought which constitutes
the essence Of every sentence and the soul
of every line and this being the case, the
definition by its terms only gives US artif
ciaI, and not poetry natural, and falls short
of what the individual defining intended
to explain.
So much care, such chasteness Of mag
nation, such peculiar correctness OF taste
is necessary in this species of compost
lion, hat no one, whatever his genius,
whatever his requirements, whatever pains
he may have expended in refining his pro-
duction. has ever been able 10 create any
thing which was not disligur'd by occasional
faults,and imperfect from defects. Amongst
those who have acquired the highest repu-
taton for critical acumen and poetic taste,
there arise continual disputes as TO the
merits of passages in the best known po-
cts. In such cases there are generally
reasons on both sides which must prcpon-
derate according to the taste and cultiVa-
ton Of the person making the exam'na-
ton: but the fact serves TO show the en-
trcme delicacv and intangblIity OF those
thinps, on the merits of which, so many
persons without an hours acquaintance
with the theory Of the art, confidently pre-
sumo to pronounce.
For the re ldcrt see the learning that
has been expended on this subject, and the
degree Of study necessary to its fall com.
prehcnsion; he NAV consult the following
authors who have all treated j. elrboratoly
Amongst the French, Boi eau, Sea'Iger
Racine. D'Alcmbcrt, e. Mormonte'- 1nsst
and S:smond in Itnliln; Leasing, kIop.
Z, stock, HumhoI1t, Schiller, the Schlegcls
and Goethe in German. In English, Bllr
Campbell. Wordsworth and Coleridge.-
These authors have discussed the theory
Of poetry as philosophic question. After
r Incoming familiar with the dissertations Of
these writers. the reader will have some
conception Of the vast and varipgaied e'e'
men,s which enter into the composition o
poetry.
This subject is often treated by the mass
as containing within it no attributes o
utility, and but little removed from frIVo''
;tv. Int those who have given the matter
some consideration, who have taken cain
E and phlosophic survey of the history o
the past. and the inf FENCES to which mar
is subject, are convinced that poetry ho'
performed no unimportant part IN omeho
rating Of the condition of cur race ant
? the advance of civilization. What dId no
! the Had do for Greece? What influence
has Dante, and Tasso. and Arrest oeXert
ed over Italy; and Milton, Sponsor an
= Shakespeare over England2 They hav'
!. excited and developed in the character
:. the people, every thing that is dlslnterest
;, ed in action, generous in sentiment, libe
: raj in thought, and noble in purpose.
:, To those papers which have been pub
:, fishing, and making parade over the III
natured pueriilics of the Rev. S'dne
Smith, we commend the following from tn
r Dublin Freeman's Journal. We suspec
SYDNEY TO be a simple well meann
young man, somewhat spoiled in the rai'
. ing. fanv Of the states owe HIM any
!, thing, which we very much doubt, he WI
certainly be paid if he can content hin
al, Mt