The Arkansas banner., 1845-01-22
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.

Inadvertently, we have delayed until now, the fuIflment of our promise to notice the character and contents of this most valuable of periodicals As well in it's mechanical execution, as in its literary merit it has taken the lead of it's class and seems almost beyond the reach of rivalry. It's dress is in keeping with its character-plain, substantial, and elegant; intrey free from the frPPery, and clap trap, which bedzzen other journals, and which they seem 10 consider ample compensation for the want of real worth In this, the Messenger manifests the sound judgement and correct taste, even in the mi normater of personal appearance, which eontra-dis tnguish the sensible woman from the giddy tinsel- bedecled dirt or the true gentleman from the brain less fop-with his eye=gass, soap-Ioeks and per fume. Us contributors eyinee high order of tal- ent and scholarship; never forgeuing in the cx- citement of composition, even in the zealous de velapement of some loTorie, and perhaps peculiar
 idea that the true end and aim of literature is to furnish the reader with just and pure thoughts, il- lusratcd and enforced in a style calculated, at once to elevate the sentiments refine the taste, and de- light the imagination. The December number, which has been on our table for several weeks, IS filled with beauties. It opens with continuation of esGertrude--a Novel;" which, so far has prov en to be a tale of deep interest, elegantly told There arc also, Thoughts, prettily poetized, by Rodman "The economy of life, " containing ma ny useful suggestions, follows. Then comes " Love of country, by Lewis J. Cjst,--one of the best things, both in sentiment and in composition, we have seen for ong--ong while. ssThe Literary life of Thingum Bob, Esq" is most humorous burlesque. -, Love Sketches, is beautiful thing. 'The triumph of religion, " does infinite honor to
 the head and heart of Mrs. Buchanan; and is of it. self sufficient to establish for her a high poctical reputation. There are many other things we might commend, but our limits check us, We had liked to have said all is good. To this general concluding clause, however, there is one article upon which our unwilling judgment pronounces it's reto. We mean that which appears as an editorial criticism upon Mir. DTsraelis Young England" Ne have never read this work, and know not but it may da- serve the eensure it reeeTes but it is to the acnti- ments of the criticism itself We object. They to us-a plain Republican, who have mixed mostly with the masses and looked mainly to their inter ess,--to be out of place in an American word The writer eve trust he is not the Editor,) seems have fixed his eye upon the "gloryn of England, and altogether overlooked her shame. A peru sal of Lesers pages and even of the Reports to the British House of Commons, would, We apprehend, bring some change over the spirit of his dream " He might there learn that there are beggars as we'll as Kings in England; peasants we'll Peers; laborers as well as Lords starving thousands as well as wealthy hundreds. Ii is sad reflection, that there yet in our country, of equal rights and equal laws, men who can speak eXultngly of the glory of England, 7" with total orgetfuluess of the utterly helpless and hopeless dcsttuton and misery of the bulk of her populations as if the eclat of military renowu, or the gilded trappngs of Royalty could compensate the want and wretchea- ness of millions of human beings at the cost of whose blood and sweat and tears, this renown was built up and this royalty is maintained. We sincere
 y hope, for the honor of American feelings, and for the credit of our fayorite Messenger, that nothing more of this character wifi ever De found disdguring it's noble pages
 h all other respects, we regard t as the right arm of American Periodical Literature reaecting high honor npon the iaaast-y, taste, and talent of it's accomplished Editor, and deserving the patron. age of every cultivated mind in onr country
 Gov DoER.-As a srhiec, of deep interest 10 ev- cry friend of human liberty, present on fourth