The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-10-03
SONGS OF LABOR AND OTHER POEM 9.

SUNGS UF LlBUR AND UIlER PUElS.'
Any talk about these poems seems most un-
called for in journal in which SO many of them
have appeared, and whose readers so thoroughly
understand and appreciate the peculiar powers
and excellences Of the author But then, again,
the columns to which these poems first gave a
rare and attractive grace should not be the last
to hail and chronicle their appearance in a more
enduring form-and from those readers who know
our author best, We are assured we may expect the
readest and heartest response to our word of
praise.
Before proceeding with our article however,
we will, if we may be INDUCED in so unprece-
denied depression, give our readers glimpse of
our own present surroundings. We are on the
sea shore-the rock bound coast Of our poets own
glorious State 1t is the sunniest yet softest of
summer mornings, when the glory of heaven seems
descending to wed with the beauty of earth. Be-
tween us and the ocean stands dark pine-grove,
but beneath and between the long branches sway
ell by the fresh morning wind, we can see the
CLEAN and dashing of the waves, and the sound
they give forth as they beat against the rocks
comes softeDed and rounded to our ear What
time and scene could be chosen 80 in harmony
with our subject-the poetry of the volume be-
fore us now fresh and invigorating like the airs
of morning clear and cheering as the summer
sanl i. mournfu and ProPhs.ic like the
sea itself rolling in upon us thought after thought
of large volume and earnest power. In times of
sLay
steady, shoreward march, and with brightness on
their crests-but when heaven is darkened by the
exhaations of earths wrongs and ills, when n stiff
moral breeze is up and blowing, then they come
dashing and surging, finging their spray about
and making all tremble again with the great
shock of their meeting
The poetry of Whittier is eminently healthfu
and bene6cent in it's spirit. Itexalts moral truth
and sanctfes labor--t is the expression of a
great humanity, and is ever in truest harmony
with nature. More perhaps than any other poet,
Whittier is remarkable for the obviousness of his
meaning and the directness Of his thought He
decorates little by gliding or garanding and con-
ceas nothing in mists and shadows-he never
loters by the way, or suffers himself to be be-
guied into pleasant and winding by-paths. He
seldom seeks to address our highest, most cult
rdted comprehension-is not exclusively the CON-
panion of our exalted moods--hs largest thought
may be received by child in knowledge-he is
the poet of everyday, lie speaks to the hearts
of the people language they never fail to I'M
misunderstanding or tranquilizing, sweet or
grand, it is always simple. His thoughts do not
come to us by slow and subtle wsys-they flash
upon us-we meet them face to face, and we say
All, we have known you before in dim, un.
formed state you have Hoated around us, and been
the companions of our best hours and, though
you have taken form and new beauty since then,
you are no strangers
The democratic principles of our poet are most
shown in the Songs of Labor-the philanthropc
and religious in the poems which follow; but all
are characterized by an ardent love Of freedom,
deep reverence for humanity, and great trust
in God. Never were poets gifts more heartily and
unreservedy consecrated to the purposes of
Heaven and the need of man. Wherever the
poet may find hmself-into whatever realms Of
Imagination he may rise, into whatever depths of
thought he may descend-he never loses himself
in the mazes of vague conjecture, passes be-
youd the atmosphere of prayer and praise, or
sinks away from divine love and reliance and the
bonds OF human fellowship strong upon
his spirit. Ii is his intense humanity which makes
his enthusiasm so contagious and inspiring We
read with glowing lips and kindling eyes--our
thoughts chime to his thoughts-our hearts seem
to throb to the measure of his verse, and leap to
the bold outbursts of his imprisoned feeling
But, then, his poems of contemplation and sent-
ment have about them an Undesirable sweet
ness-a sort of Sabbath-quet, most captivating
and subduing They succeed his stern and stormy
lyrics Of freedom and reform, like the morning
song Of birds after night of tempest or the even
ing harping of David after a day of battle.
But it is time We spoke of the volume before us
more in detail
The DEDICATION is one of the sweetest poems
in the book; yet there is in il sor, Of half.
mournful acceptance of life which saddens us
While yet in the prime Of manhood, with the
strength and heat Of summer in his heart, and it's
generous fruits around him, he places himself
amid the shadows and scant foliage, and pale few
flowers of latest autumn Thus
"Few leaves of Fancy's spring remain
But what have give 70 thee,
The DER summed bloom Of summers plain,
Aud paler flowers the latter rain
Calls from the vesterns slope Of lfes autumn. lea.
g. Above the fallen groves Of green,
Where youths enchanted forest stood,
The dry and wasting roots between,
sober after growth Is seen,
As springs the piae where falls the gayleai maple
woodp
Now this is very beautiful, but to reverse the
old saying, there is in it less truth than poetry"
Songs Of Labor and other Poems by John g. Whittier
Boston Tieknor, Reed, Fields.