Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-05-02
ICoMhUNicATrp.
THE SOUTHERN LITERARY MEssENGER-TH

lCosAUscATrD.
THE SOUTHERN LITERARY MEssENGER-THE
QUEEN OF MAY.
On the first day VI the month day beautiful and su
spieious NJ could he desired for its appearance the Mes
senger unveiled than ~onied attractions Tempt
ed by the joyous aud Partially favo
rite periodical, have ven'ured crown The Queen
OF May rhis Is rendered the appropriate by ITS
contents, among which very highly wrought bot truth.
fa aud well pointed tale, entitled the Wapurpis N,gbt
the First Night Of May" We trust that none OF lis
readers especially M fair ones. disturbed by any spirit.
vsdngs Indeed, had they read the acshey would have
been forewarneJ against all malgn Influences and could
have taken precautions against them. The title OF this
tale may perhaps require some explanation.
IValpnrgs sister Of ST. WiIbald fra, Bishop of
Eehsad IN Germany. After her death, (776 81 she
received the honor Of Saint, was believed TO work uny
miracles, and chapes in bonor Of her erected in many
places From the circumstance that in German Aan.cs
the name WapHsis has been accidentally placed sganst
the first Of Msy. the night the st day Of May
50 famous in German legends for the assembling of the
witches, has been called Wsipwss might. The irst
Of May is an important day for the German cuvator
many contracts made this mc the labors the field
assume new activity, &c. Is strange that on so I'M
porsnt day, the devil and the witches were supposed 10
be more active than usual, aud assemble In particular
place, TO organize ,e work of evil. This superstition
however, may have had is origin In the ancient German
WspnrE niEhf with Of dispensing the mslignsn,
beings. The ehisf conyocsion VI the witches was sup
posed take place tho Broken. Many customs con-
nected with the first u May In Germany originated In this
superstition: says the Encyclopedia Americana
which consulted TO find the meaning u tho wspurgs
night. The tale IS from Zschokke, well translated and
very interesting. Pictures Of frsten Affection eenero-
w. native simplicity, love and domestic happiness. sre beau
tfuIIy mingled with those Of terror. end with the imagined
iofment II tho Waipuysis niehf witches.
Gertrude Is continued, with kind Of dss,ing episode
in the life Of the brilliant, but rather reckless Ludwe
The Pfze Tale "The Wheel OF Life" is well concluded
Passing several interesting articles efcs hsto,
cal and poclcs come 10 long review Of the "Explor
ing Expedition" which, besides giving condensed synop.
ss Of the exploits OF the expedition. gives Capt Wilkes
pretty severe and we think well nerted css,igstioo
still bcstowng praise where his due In this review
find the following touching, besudu. almost sublime
instance of the proud devotion Of womans heart. In res
ting the massacre Of Lieut. Underwood and Mjd.bipmsn
Wilkes Henry, by the inhabitants Of msoIO, the reviewer
| says;
"Thu. on the strand Of an isle and by tie hand. Of
sayages, persisted the young and brave. .. We
knew Mr.. Underwood personally. Not long before no
sailed he hsd married lady 81 great personal WORTH but
Of humble percentage sud but little education. Insgated
by affection and grsude she DEVOTED herself 10 Study
She STAINED considerable knowledge and skill In music
snd the French and spanish Languages. snd spoke, with
most pardonsbe vsny of the surprise and pleasure
had prepared for her husband HE return the display
Of her accomplishments. Alssl for that devoted heart
He for whose APPRECIATION she toed sleeps in his grave
pure white sand isle IN tho great Pacific Ocesn
Some gifted poet might here 6nd worthy theme
for song The review " long, but the Narrative" Is unp,
donsbly vounous and 10 less space nothing like justice
ecald have been done TO important and extensive Sub.
| jcet
Next curious article, European Correspond
ence" eontsning the proceedings Of tho "oc,ety v to
Spo.." 90 Sssss *. sssssr ss.. " 4. ,ss. ss -,
mails such dogs cod moukeys elephants and horses 10
The schemes Of sbodon ne IN es.is qssrSsrs 81
,bs evIised wat. ~ - Psss MOI ors, nisssp ~