Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1849-12-04

. ! ~ OiouShiy, diC tiloSC WHO Icdu eve
tyhlng else of most value. Reading is al
arr! Men wdnt mental discipline and taste
Tor II much more than they lack time
and Inc who has wide-awake mind, will
ind no lack of opportunity to read enough
to make him learned, or, at least, atho.
roughly Informed man. The reviews will
wake hImrp, and keep him awake, if any
thing can. Therefore, we say, take and
read the English and Scotch Reviews.
They are very far beyond our own in
knowledge, variety, taste, style, attractive
ness. The Edinburgh and London Quar-
(lerly are Of uniforms, perhaps equal excel
lence; the first, energetically but calmly
reiormatory in Its principles; the last. in
tellIgently and elegantly conservative; both,
models OF thoroughness, good taste, wis
dom and candor. The North British is
more charged with the spirit of the time.
II Is young, fresh, vigorous, and has the,
merit of looking at every subiees, from a
directly Christian point Of view. Itlacks
"o"e'or, lae ssssz gance and the correctness
Trfhe other journals, and is often disfigured
by local errors Of style, and provincial
phrases; but its tone is earnest, pure, no
BILE ; and ii contains, often, scientific arn-
cles of great value, besides careful and
elaborate digests of information, relative to
current affairs and what is still more val
liable, theological discussions of great and
Immediate interest.
The Westminster, although decidedly
more favorable to liberal views in politics
and religion, we hold to be the least wor-
thy Of the four great reviews. l; is the
only one in which literary cant is ever
found. The slip-shod, slovenly style in
which our own Reviews, with an exception
in favor of the North American, too COM
monty appear, is frequent in the Westmn-
ster. The dislocating genius Of Carlyle,
and the rhapsodcal influence Of Tennyson
both great in themselves and small in
all their imitators-arc malignly potent
over the contributors to the Westminster.
However, under the larger liberty oil this
somewhat reckless and latitudnaIlan adj
.ministration Of letters, articles oil @rea'
worth and suggestivencss, such as could
find the light through no other journal, oc-
casionally appear in the Westminster 1t
is always fresh, but sometimes green /;
,lways amusing, but sometimes silly; al
WAYS liberal. bat sometimes lax tocra-
bic companion, but no guide. As for
BIackwood. there is nothing like it in the
world for grace, impudencc, wit, fun, SEN
,;ment. sense, and nonsense. But Just
now Christopher under canvas Professor
WILSON, is saving the best, the most plouS'
and most poctical things OF our day IN
Blackwood. We have scored these pages
for extracts until they are all scored, and
we become hopeless of quoting them into
orr columns. We dcvOur Blackwood
we eat our dinner after an eight hours last;
and wonder-as the little beggar boy who
slept with his mother under the door, won
dcred in her car what poor folks DID, VINO
had no door to sleep under-we wonder
with similar simplicity, doubtless, what
poor people like you, reader who 10"
subscribe) do without the monthly supply
of Blackwood. We should nearly as soon
be without firing as without Blackwoo(
this coming cold weather.
Let us say in conclusion that as rule
these Reviews are distinguished by al
unleigned and positive regard Tor religion
such as it is our perpetual regret is rareI!
to be seen in the purely literary works o
periodicals of our own country.