Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-18

We have received copy OF this work, the intended pub
LEGATION OF which months ago announced. IL b.
from the Boston press and executed with the elegance
Tor which the publishers OF that city have acquired much
celebrity. We have had time, however to read it
and If had done 50, should be competent 10
decide upon its merits We prefer permitting Others,
whose opinions entitled to respect such mat
ers speak the SUBJECT and therefore
columns Saturdays Enquirer the suboined remark,
OF correspondent Of that paper;
"MuSroRD's HoxKk.-we have at length the pleasure
Of introducing to the favor and admiration OF the pub
lie the long expected translation OF Homers ad by the
late William Munord of this city. Il work in which
Ygnisns may feel honest pride; for its merits are Of
that high order which will confer lasting honor on the
literature OF the county the memory OF the uansa-
tor.
We have read the version with and attention,
and delight and admiration have increased with
progress perusa We have compared il diligently
with the Greek and with the other uaslaons OF celebrity
which already adOrn the English language. Tbe result OF
examination has been firm conviction Of its immea-
surable superiority all that preceded it, IL 10
sngulary faithful the original, preserving with the
most ruthulness the tone and spirit well the Ian
guage of the orgna yet eeitonSy avoiding the badness
foolshly termed accurate translation In reading
Mr. Munfords Homer inhale the very atmosphere in
which the heroes OF Homer lived and fought. We
touched and IN sancthed by that inspiration
which the muse OF early Greece poured out upon
"The bard of Scio's rocky Isle"
II amongst Greeks and Trojans Gods and demi gods
that DWELL instead OF being Withdrawn from the noble
simplicity OF antique times to the fOpPsh de,tantism OF
all modern tastes. At length enabled take part
in the noble pageant represented the Homer
and forget in perusa Of English version that three
thousand years have interviewed since the occurred
which contemplate end that they heraded to the
world in another tongue and beneath far other skies
Ii we turn from Munford TO Pope Cowper. the charm
is broken The mncing gaees and affected beauties Of
the and the rude bsenness OF the Other dpes the
magic by which we have been surrounded.
We therefore declare IL 10 be conviction that all the
essentials Of admirable translation, Mr. Munfords version Of
the ad all that could be desired by those who
~ the veTitable Homer in English garb The trans
laloE Is isitsful, eesani, GIs .nsprng-rsng without
effort into the regions OF the sublime when Homer
soit the broad sweep OF his ample pnions and again
descending with graceful inclination the bold OF
lonia fTo his lofty flight Tie language ner.
though simple and redoen Of that youthful freshness
and easy yigor which impsr such charm the original
The yershcaon is flowing and sustained varied musical
y by deXterous OF all the Of rhythm, and literally
streaming forth = riyer Of milk and honey.
Such work must commend itself Al 70 tn. fayo.
Of ell who pretend to literary taste and culture and when
add that all the praises which may be its due rebound
the honor Of Amercsa Literature and especially OF Viz
gina, need add word for It the pat
ronsge of the American People $50.
JIn the April number OF the Southern Quarterly Re.
vies we find the following notice Of Mr.. Munford's
work.
ave have received portion Of the sheets Of the forth
coming work OF the late Mr. Munfod Of Virginia, and have
received, from the pen Of distinguished writer,
Gle in review of IT, whose publication regret
compelled to defer jill our neat issue Meantime we may
congratulate the South, and the country geneay tho
speedy appearance Of work which reflects much cred,
Southern genius, and which will confer honor on
American literature. From the examination we have Civ
it, are fully prepared cay, that in fidelity the
original II is superior the translation of Pope and,
practical execution, far before that Of Cowper"
This is certainly high praise but feel assured that it
entirely merited.