The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-21

GOOD in a literary ssnse, as we'll as in the
diffusion Of information. There was ma,-
terry writing in both, and tie principles
they supported were respectively upheld by
the best possible arguments. In one 10
spect the situation OF the Quarterly was a
painful one. owing TO the exhibition by
time of its falseness of position. Every
advancing year saw some fayorite dogma
contravened, some past oracular announce |
ment prove as false IS if it had issued from |
the lips Of a priest Of Baal, in place Of
those Of the sleekesi and most rabid ortho-
doxy. The Edinburgh. on the contrary,
saw its views continually carried out. The
corn laws, for example, were part and
parcel Of the British constitution with the
one. they were impcgned by The other.--
Even distinguished writers OF the Quarterly,
fading policy no longer tenable against
truth and Justice. altered their opinions to
the adverse side. We may date from these
reviews a new species of authorship rather
than pure criticism, always excepting GER
tain mastery articles directed solely to
critical objects, on works that admitted no
excuse for showing The cloven foot. Re-
views are now multiplied; we have, or had,
recently, two monthly, and nine quarterly,
counting in the fathers Of the family.
n
Some Of my first delights in reading
poetry were received from the sonnets Of
Charlotte Smith. Like Jane Porter, she
was compelled 10 write from pecuniary
circumstances as much as inclination. Her
husband had been unfortunate in Life, and
she contributed a considerable aid to their
subsistence by this means. I have the
small fourth quarto edition Of these sonnets.
bearing date In 1855, the publication Of
which she survived twenty years. Ii is
printed for John Doslsley. Ii came 10 me
from Jamaica on the death of an uncle
there Of yellow fever. being given to me by
his executor. 1t is very dissimilar in ap.
pearance from editions OF poetryin the pres.
ent time. The adverse fortunes of Char
lotte Smith chequered her career, and gave
that melancholy egotism to her works which
is one cause perhaps of their being so in.
tereSting. OF the novels Of this lady, and
she produced many, | remember "March.
mount and the "Banished Man." think,
the "Old Manor" was also hers. The
''Banished Man" was, as | recollect, an
imaginary French emigrsnt. 1t was tale
Of adventure. and did not display any very
deep insight into the workings OF the hu-
man heart. Caches 'W erter"-that piece
Of authorship which he might we'll wish to
have blotted before his death-caught many
youthful fancies at the time OF its appear.
ance, and for yeaus subsequently, and seve-
raj of Charlrtte Smiths sonnets were sup
posed to be written by that ridiculous of.
spring of false taste. remember reading
it with pleasure the first time, and losing
the Immortality of the story in sympathy
for the ideal sufferer. Neither the lapse in
morals nor the want of fidelity to nature
struck me; the truth being, perhaps, that in
youth We forget the morality Of work
when its appeals are 20 our sensibility.-
Mrs. Smith died, believe, in 1906, little
beyond the middle age. The sonnets OF
the Rev. Lisle Bowles were among my
youthful reading. think the sonnet has
been much undervalued in England as a
vehicle for q single sentiment. We have
some as good in their way as even the
Italians can boast, but we want the taste
to appreciate them, for Of tina: commodity
in literature as well as art we have but lit
tie. One is led to rank BowIes' poetic
writings among the productions OF an anna
Die, virtuous, reflective mind, tender, but
never passionate, and touched with the
cold correctness Of the scholar rather than
with the "thoughts that breathe and words
that burn" saw him think but twice
among other company where he was not
likely TO stand out.
| have spoken Of being subpened be-
fore Sir Weary Gibbs. He was the patron
Of Lord Clifford, an Exeter man, ard son
OF grocer, who contrived to get most of
the briefs on the circuit near his native |
home. His elevation did Gibbs no more
credit than bis own career. Clifford was |
never meant for more than common place |
barrister-no one who knew him, bui was
Of that opinion. Mind beyond bis ''trade"
he had none From bis name coming up
permost, | Just recall case in court where
be was present with Jekyl. The client of |
the latter was remarkable for wearing an |
enormous neckcloth. Jekyl began: Sen
tlemen of the jury, the plaintiff in this
case is Mr.. F. W, OF T.. a gentleman
generally remarkable throughout this coun-
Try for wearing pillow round his neck
and sometimes a bolster" The party was
a friend Of mine, to whose failing 10 the
way Of neckcloth can bear witness.
Both res: now in the narrow house. Jekyl's
fame for wit is vet remembered nv tha har