The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-04-10
THE CECIL W HIG

LITERARY Gossrp.-Among the books lately
published, those claiming the largest share of
attentions in the literary coterie are Memoirs Of
Margaret Fuller, late Countess of Ossoli, and
a miscellaneous work by Mary Russell Milford,
an English writer, and more generally known
as the authoress of s:The Deserted Village"
The memoirs of Margaret Fuller, written by
VIM. H. Charming, James Freeman CLARK, and
Ralph Waldo Emerson, is work that will be
"a :ery sought by those interested in the progress
of literature in our country. 1t will be re-
membered, that this lady lost her life some two
years since, by the shipwreck Of the vessel in
which she was returning 10 the United States
with her husband and children. Previous to
her marriage with Count Ossoli in Italy, she
was known as Sarah Margaret Fuller, and was
al one time, we believe, associated with the ell
itoral department of the New York Tribune.
She was remarkable woman possessing char
actcrisics Of intellect, which, ci,ler DO not gen.
orally belong TO females, or arc weakened, and
to a certain extent rendered powcrlcss by their
peculiar emplcymcn,s.
From the extracts we have seen of Miss Nit
ford's work, we are inclined TO think il n very
pleasant book Such an one as we would like
to have at hand when worn down with work or
study. AS matter vi course, Miss Milford
gives her Yankee neieLbors across the way d
passing notice; and, putting on a broad John
Bull face, talks Of the nerican literai and
thei. rational characteristics. Ever since the
days ofDrake and Brainard, the early occupants
of the field of American literature, the English
critics, great and small have been harpinn on
this one striag pinaiional characteristics. First
one and then another cf our American writer's
has been declared TO have arrived nearest the
standard. The subject has been handled by all
classes Of critics, from Black wood down to the
mos, secluded.
"Sef constituted Judge ofpocsy."
One names Bryant, another Poe, third Long
fellow, fonrth Willis. fifth LovcI. and last
though we will not be so ungaIlant as to say
1east-Miss Milford crowns Whittier with The
dislinguis honor. Ii Las Iway, been TO us Il
riddle, to understand wkai these English critics
meant by national characteristics as it. rs Poe
crcc saiI. 1;trrr'nrc could b. restrained by
uc.;.;S. rivers or hnuo y rfnov-ts fits char
a,:lristcs w,rc Lut III, SANE The world over
As fits home were not n world houndlcss as
sninty. Nor do the definitions, which they give
ue, trnA IN tfc ico's 'crrcc 10 erlvc Tie ril'lp.
Au,i Lv3t, 81 la as We abb, 10 X. re, Miss
Hiitltr, las taken new ground. Sic says, or,
at lcast leaves the impression, that these clnr-
acierisiics are DESIGNATED BY the choice Of sub
iects. We woul like to see Hny .t'Drricansn
Sliding OIL tirou-a Cam,h KS "Gelruie OF
v yoming;" or any CT Moorc's room; for which
Amert an Incidents furnished the theme AMI
yet, if we did net know that these authors were
not Americans, we might just as well say that
they were ".ru'y .Etnericcn Ioefs." If by ma
tional charac crtMtirs, they mean that unlarering
spirit which looks difficulty in Tie face with an
unwaverng eye--whieh rises superior 10 every
"wcist OF care'-Hhich places its aim high,
and pursues steadily and laboriousy lis way on
ward and upward; then Longlellow is undoubt-
cdly Our 'lrue American poet" We quote
here from the Psalm, Of Life, the only poem OF
Longiellow's near us at the moment, but quite
sufficient for the purpose,
"'rel us not in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real-Llfe is earnest,
And the grave is not its goal,
Dust thou art-to dust reurnest,
Was not spoken the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end Or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Let US, then, be up and doing,
With heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labour and to wait.