The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-03
Literary Review.

lie INlEhNAllU.aii NhGaLINE' NOV IOEA
Strrger s. Townsend, February, 1852.
Magazine literature has not yet been fully de-.
veloped in talent, or it's Importance appreciated
The magazines which emanate from the three me-
tropoises Of Great Britain are prepared with no
inconsiderable amount Of ability, and they exhi
biz real learning, but their dearness in price confines
their circulation to an aflluent class, and their
writers adapt their essays accordingly. In tho
United States, however, this valuable department.
of periodical literature is rapidly rising, and ap-
pears to be destined to its proper and influential
position among the community, by placing before
IL literature of high and useful character. The
International (and speak in the spirit Of criti-
cism,) is distinguished for its taste in selecting
matter of utiltariau we'll of an entertaining
character-not matter which strikes upon the
chords of the mind, leaving pleasant ring, and
nothing beyond. That the actual effects of suoh
literature will be great and visible no will deny.
1t will supply sort of nterme date classic sphere,
OF which the majority OF our community are so much
in want. We know that there are some men who de.
cry the advantages Of superior education for the
masses, and would hold the IN down, body and mind,
in '.unimproving toll, and tell them they be!ieve
in the better effect of the lessons of the grea. task
master dewey" Upon this point, We have no hesi-
tation in setting Chanting gainst Dewey, of
sc caiss notoriety, whose only proof in favor OF
his dogma is himself, for mental culture has in.
deed done little for him but the public will not
accept this as general evidence This, then, is
our conception Of the true province Of magazine
literature. The present number opens with an
article on "Chertsey, and its famous cnaraeters,"
by Mrs ). G Hall, glancing at the abbey ruins
and those Of the residences OF CoWiey and Y. j..
Fox. Mrs Hall possesses "the knack'' Of throw.
ing an imaginative interest over which they,
in fact, do not possess her imagination fire quenty
leads her beyond the bounds of truth, and she
knews well how to deal with the feure-"s"ppresss
rot"-aEd it is these qualities which, in great
degree, render her pleasing and pathetic. This
subject was one for her talent, and suggestive.
We should prefer seeing its place supplied with
something better adapted to the general tastes,
ard mere in union with the general interests Of
this country, and conveying sound instruction.
We confess to have but little veneration for tho
go,hi; arches Of monastsriss or the reminis-
much less for any legends which may be
he ishei Up from the washerwomen on the banks
of tie Thames, ard clothed With descriptive ina
eination and boarding school language. Nor are
,he names of Ccwcy or even Fox (Ior wh,n we
ave due respec) sufficient to inspire WITH re-
verepce fer tie tlse and brickbnts which to be
deg out no, even tne skulls or MARI v. bones
winch Mrs Hail mentions With so mu,a sympathy.
These are things If bygone day, and the maya
zire press ought to vie with the newspaper press.
if Lot 10 leading, at least in keeping pa,o With tho
tastes and dasree Of an enlig htened and progressing
people. "Trargott BEomane on the United States,'
contains some appropriate remarks upon this ad.
nirable work, and introduces several extra,ts
which are faithful aid graphic. Few foreign
can social constitution, and to have expressed
themselves with so little prejudice. This work
will make great impression on the German nation.
Lord Manon's History Of The American Revelu-
tion." is briefly reviewed--in fact 600 brief.
Here was for an elaborate review Of this
acute, and not altogether unprejudicei historian,
an II might have been carried on to another mum.
Der. Surely the subject was important enough,
especially in the present day, and when, too, the
wier admits the fact Of the superiority OF Mahons
history of our revolution, over any other work.
Mr.. Justice Story, with some reminiscent rehec.
tons is an instructive sketch. The writer pro-
pery notices the Insignificant salaries which arc
awarded 70 our judges sfreedom of thought and
the Latest Miracles, il founded upon remark OF
Archbishop Hughes, that Catholics a,e the sup
poreIs Of freedom, and the writer cites extracts
IRON the recent foreign journals showing the utter
and horrid y ranniea which being daily porpe.
tIated by the Catholics, and their suppression Of
literature and ipg 1t has often struck with
surs rise that the Catholic Priesthood have not vea
tured to defend or explain these atrocities. long
article upon "Dlvnation. Witchcraft, and Mes
merism,o from the Dublin University, il talented
composition. 'My Novel" is continued. DR..
Francis has contributed interesting essay, "Tae
"Reminiscences of Printers, Authors, Sc, in New
York" Among tho minor articles are "a New
Portrait of Cicero, "a Visit to the Fro Wor-
shippers" 1.-The Punishment of Gina Motani,''
and various extracts from the English periodicals.
which, the sooner they are replaced by uativo
American talent, the better.