New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-09-12
PAPERS on LITERATURE AND ART: By :. Mar
GAREr FULLER Part= !. Il PIP Ia, is3 l2Ino)
Wiley i Putnams Library OF American Books
Nns TIE w

w Lev - FltlGfls LlOIdTy VI -t.!!t4-NS-4 oSS@~f
Nos. XIX. Xxx.
TIE simple statement that selection of Marga-
re; Fullers writings has been submitted to the
public, is perhaps all that is appropriate in these
columns Their author is so widely known as long
presiding over the Literary department OF The
Tribune, as is also The fac; that though al present
in Europe. her connection with This journal is IN.
broken. but viii be.nantained through series OF
letters from the Old World. that to speak OF her
and of these volumes as we think they merit might
be plansib}y regarded as indirect commentator OF
our own columns. 4 few words with regard TO
some OF her prominent characteristics are all we
shall prefer.
Marked individuality, true independence We
reckon first among these. sympathizins freely
with all lofty and generous aims. Miss Fuller be-
longs 20 no sect to party to no school IN Litera
ture or Philanthropc effort. You rarely perceive.
from her writings themselves. that II is woman
who speaks to you though, ii reminded OF the cir
cumstance you ind nothing inconsistent there
with. You meet no especial display OF delicacy or
sentiment but the lucid and vigorous outpouring
of clear. cultivated lofty human intellect enrich
cd BIZ thoughtful observation OF Life and the
plest acquaintance with Literature. Each sen
tence embodes an idea which has not been
trusted TO paper until maturely considered and
deemed fit 10 stand as It's own apology. The occa-
sional blemshes obscurities Of style are recoS-
nized as proceeding from any thing else than haste
or inattenton-perhaps rather from an undue atten-
ton to the thought. which IS so vividy present
to the writer's mind that the possibility OF the
words employed failing to convey it exactly to the
reader does not suggest itself We think few men
are. we are sure no woman now in America is so
well calculated TO discharge worthily and useiully
the duties OF Critic she The extent other &C
quaintance with Literature. especially that of mod
ern Continental Europe. the habit OF Independent
investigation and untrsmmeled Judgment give 10
her critical ESSAYS value which can hardly be
overestmated. From y Short Essay on Critics.
in the volumes before US, we clip the following ex
tract as more indicative to those not already ia
miliar with her writings, of their scope and spirit
than any thing we could say. She is speaking o:
Newspapers and how they may be redeemed
from abuses and restored to their true uses and
proceeds
1t were easy 10 say what they should NOT do. They
should not have object to carry or a cause TO adj
vocac, which Cbiges them either 10 reJec, all Writings
which the distinctive traits OF individual! lite or to
lie away what does not suit heu TIL tie essay, made
true TO lc.r design made false TO the mind OF the
writer IN external consistency i thus produced al the
expense OF all salient thought all genuine emotion OF
life short and all living influence Their purpose may
be OF value but by such means was no valuable purpose
ever iurthcred long There those who have VITA the
best intention pursued this system OF trimming and adap
taton, and thought il wei! and best 10
Deceive ;ieir country for their counry's good"
But their country cannot long be governed l. misses
the voice
modulated 10 to persuade and II turns from the
udcious man of the world calculating the eject 10 be
produced bv each OF MS smooth sentences TO earn
which is uttering thoughts, crude, RASH liar
ranged il may be- but TO one human breast and ut
tered in full faith that the God OF Truth VII! guide them
Alright.
And here it me, has been the Createstmistakc
in the conduct OF these journals. smooth monotOny
has been attained, uniformity OF tone, that from
the title OF journal you infer the tenor OF all IL
chapters But nature ever various ever new ana so
should be her daughters art and literature We 10 not
want merely polite response to what We thought be-
fore bu: by the freshness of thought in other minds to
have thought awakened in our own We do not
stores OF information only but TO be reused TO d.
these into knowledge Able and experienced men
write for w. and would know what they think As
they think tnot tor US bu; Tor themselves. We would
live with them rather than be taught by them now 10
live would catch the conta:ion OF their mental ac
vity rather than have them direct Us how 10 regulate
In books in reviews IN the senate IN the pu
pit, we with 10 meet thinking men, not schoo!aStefs OF
pleaders. We wish that they should do iul justice 70
their view but also that they should be frank win
U.s. and, il superors treat as II we inignt
time rise be their equals !; ia this true mani
ness this frmness in his position and THE power OF
sppreclang the position OF others that alone can make
the critic our companion and friend. We would con
with him that he will tel Us a.. his thought
and speak But il he adapt his work 70
II he STILES what Is dstincuye!y MS II he shows MN
self either arrogant or mean or above all il he wants
faith in the healthy action OF free thought and the safety
OF pure motive viii not talk with him for We cannot
conide in him We VIII 20 10 the critic VINO trusts
Genius and trusts US VINO knows tina; al good writing
must be spontaneous and VINO Will write out the bill OF
fare for the public as he read il Tor himself
Forgetting vulgar rile-, wiki spirit free
To Judge each author by his own intent.
Nor think standard for all minds : meant"