New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-07-03
SARAH c. n. MAYO.

IWe have for ten days strven earnestly to find
time to read through "Selections from the Wri-
tines of Mrs SARAH C. EDGARToS MAYO: With
Memoir by her Husband, +" but have as yet read
little beyond the Memoir. Resolved to leave the
work no longer unnoticed, we give place to the
following review by a friendly hand, merely re-
marking that, while it in no manner overrates the
excellences of heart and life of its subject, We
think its estimate OF the intellectual powers and
literary achievements of Mrs. Mayo is somewhat
higher than an impartial Judge would be likely to
make. Enjoying unusual opportunities Tor
mental culture. dying before attaining the age OF
thirty, and having been impeed by resstless cir
cumstsnces to that fatal facility of writing, writing,
sometimes in obedience to an inward impulse, but
oltener in Difference 10 an outward necessity, her
productions are Of very unequal merit. and do not,
as whole, Justify the praise of her circle of ad-
mrers Mainly writing to and read by her own
religious denomination, she never enjoyed the
blessing in disguise of searching and rigorous
criticism, which might temporarily have wounded
her feelings but could hardly have failed 10 prune
away some defects and improve the general char
Acter Of her compositions We say this in all
kindness, for we too enjoyed some share of her
regard aud friendship, and knew how to value
them.
The writer of the following has forgotten to
do Justice to Mr. Msyo's admirable Memoir, aud
we believe eminently judicous Selections. To
choose from the mass of his lamented companions
writings only what best worth preserving
and dfasing was a difficult task for him, but,
Judging nom recollection merely, we think he has
done 1t we'll To write her Memoir was even a
more critical undertaking, and that we know he
has performed passing well The voluminous
tracts from her private letters to intimate friends
are most interesting, aud give assurance to all
who esteemed that they did not mistake her.
HIS task has been evidently aud wholly labor
Of love, yet executed with modesty aud judg-
ment and Of books thus written the world can
never be too fall. For the rest We give place to
our correspondent. I'D Trio.
SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF MRS.
SARAH c. EDGARTON MAYO, with Memoir
by hss HUSBAND Boston Abel TomPkns, IS Com
We confess it has been but a short time since
we appreciated as we now do the powers Of mind
and spiritual excellences Of the subject of these
Memoirs. She has been known to the public
chiefly through periodical literature. Such is the
multiplicity Of this species Of writing that but
little is read with care, and in the haste and
crowd the real gold is often passed over
noticed A recent careful examination of the pro
auctions Of Mrs. Mayo has served much to elevate
our ideas Of her powers as writer, and OF her
superior excellences as a woman. The freshness
aud originality of thOught-the keenness OF per
ception-the business Of taste, and the true poetic
fervor they manifest, have taken US by sarPnse.
They bespesk strong and well cultivated mind,
animated by high aims, aud borne forward with
vigorous and determined purpose. They may
not pass unscathed the ordeal OF cold, unsymps-
timing criticism. Aud what will That crit
W hich probes and cuts every thing that comes
within its reach as though it were a dead body
beneath the surgeons knife, spares not the purest
love, the most refined feeling, rising genius, nor
the ashes Of the dead, would fnd employ on these
writings. No cynic, living in wintry atmosphere.
steel in hand, ready 10 stiletto every free, warm
unmailed sentiment should read them. Their
author was person Of worldwide symPsthies, OF
exquisite sensibilty, ola love warm and genial as
the Summer morning and, TO be fully under
stood. they must DO read by those who possess
congenia elements OF character. Her intellect
sss strong one. because il had large, glowing
heart in It. There have been those of larger pro-
portions Of glare and din in their movements,