Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-27
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This remarkable production. IS it is STYLED by the New
York Gazette, seems to be winning ls way 30 rapdv 10
Pnone iaN' that second edition will be called for.
Inc accompanied scholar who has charge OF the li,era-
~ department OF the National Inie gencer Introduces Mr.
muniordswo to his readers in the following manner:
The greatest, far OF huma performances the work
OF the dNncs genius that earth has SEEN or ever will
before Us and once more in English After GeotRo
Chapman and Hobbies. ogilby. Dryden. one book Pope
Macpherson. Cowper, Soiheby, and many morc-uot n
modern merely but an American and (s strangely vr-
ginlan adventures upon translation courageous man.
certainly
Thus we should have thought of almost any wit or
scholar OF our tongue times; and thus will the public
tnink the annunciaton OF such daring enterprise by
one Of whom has never heard either eude or bard
and whose utmost htersry is that aft xed for some
twenty years before his DEATH lin 1921 the Acts Of the
Legislature OF his State Clerk Of its House OF Dec
gates.
hut It was our fortune personally know tho amable
author well. Seldom have known a person more re-
marAab'e Tor unmNed rsetitude and goodness the smp
city OF his heart the mcdesty Of his mind and we had
really thought him. though an exceedingly good classical
scholar, as little like To grd himself up for attempt
high a. this or TO assume the os magma sonaturu a.
almost any man. All our impressions in n word were
most opposite both to the prudence OF such an enterprise
on any bodys part. and 10 its probability Mr. Munords
How tar we have upon examination found reason to alter
this opinion, our readers will presently see"
lie then proceeds to compare the several anslatons OF
the Had, by Chapman Dryden Pope. Cowper and Mum
ford making several quotations from EACH and closing with
the opinion that, compared with Cowper with whom
he naturally falls in parallel. Munios translation els the
better OF the two less close than Cowpers yet faithful
and much freer from the nharmonOus crudenes
aud humbcness ct expression which frequently debase
the elder version and make II cold dry, tame Between
either snd Pope The adds there be proper compare
since the merea vehicle and the degree OF literal
ness iniended-he form and subs,ance-are different
The reviewer closes by "hang attempt surprising
Mr. Muniod's, doing high credit TO our Western
Literature - and he That the national spirit will
manifest itself honorable favor toward, it, Conquest
(he says the glory OF fields OF fight, Agamemnons
and Domedes and Achilles, the passion OF the day
we want Homers, then, TO sing them. "
The New York Gazette speaks in terms of praise su
more unqualified Ii saws:
The scholarly translator have been wholly un
of the existence OF Chapman's rendering OF OF
Soheby's labois in the field.
But Of Pope's majestic poem, written upon Homets
HAD, he had the highest appreciation, shown his
notes and preface, Mr.. Muniords translation, we
would almost venture to say, will hereafter mark
American Literature. We would presume 10 antic
the verdict OF the ripe scholars here aud Europe
who, no doubt, will soon be busy adjusting claims
consideration but IN the brief moments had the book
conviction that II will for itself high place in the
world Of letters. Ii will be glorious thing for the
fall energy and unaoyed simplicity OF Homer shall have been
INST translated from his native tongue by an American
which, while giving all the richness and with which
Pope inyigorated his harmonious verse still
faithful e unaffected spirit the original Wilson once
said .hai Scott he had Greek enough the bora
translate Homer aud he would have had him do too in
SCOTS ayorite svla5ic verse The suggestion is
very striking one, and # carried by Wilson himself
would perhaps give the world better idea OF the animated
freshness Of the Homerc poems any style OF
rendering them. Meanwhile MUNFoKD's lLrGD should be
read by every one who would have Translation beseeR