The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-06

ful course on the English Poets Of the Nineteenth
Century delivered last Friday evening, and
repeated on Saturday afternoon, to large and de-
lighted audiences. II related to single poet,
but was principally devoted to classi6c alton of
ALL and to the consideration of numerous topics
suggested by the general subject. He commenced
with some spirited and sparkling remarks on the
object he had proposed to himself in the compost
ton of the lectures, and the necessity under which
be bad labored of adapting his dscourses to an
audience, who must at all events be kept awake;
not to the readers of a review. who might halt at
various stages in their progress through critical
essay, and indulge in refreshing pauses Of Sleep
In regard to the principles which would direct the
arrangement Of the poets into groups, much might
depend on the primary conception and definition
Of the nature of poetry itself. After examining
certain definitions which had been given by Others
and especially contesting the validity Of some Of
Sheley's propositions the subject. be proceeded
TO give his own. Poetry, in his view, was the ex
preston of beauty in words that harmonizsd with
the beautiful. II seems to that it would be pro-
per here TO substute, for the expression OF beau
ty," the s'creation of beauty" Dr.. Holmes use
expression in order to bring such poems as
''Auld Robin Gray" within the limits OF HE deh
milton, be seeming to think that this renowned
ballad simply beautiful expression OF emo
ton. But surely. leaving out OF view the conceP-
ton and combination OF the different characters OF
the piece, the representation OF emotion IN III ex-
hibits the penetrating and animating If not the
shaping power of the creative imag ination-in-
sight if not imagery.
In classifying the poets OF the century, the lee
turer adopted original course. He divided
them into seven grand groups, viz: Classical Sen.
timentalists, of whom Campbell and Rogers were
the leading representatives; Poets of Passion, with
Byron at the head; Descriptive Realsts, of the
school OF Crabbe; Romantic Realists, represented
by Scott, Southey, and, lower down, by Macauay;
Philosophical Reahsts, represented by Words
worth; Rou. ldeasts, whose type Cole
ridge; and Philosophical ldealists, covering Shell
ley, Tennyson, and the Brownings He justified
his of these terms by brief and short analysis
of the peculiarties and athnties Of the individual
poets ne thus classified and exhibited the points OF
contact md collision of the different groups. He
likewise noticed sumo minor groups, which would
not readily su bmit to be included in the larger
divisions.
We have space to do no more than aude to
some admir- bic remarks the witty and humor-
Qua poets, to the keen analysis OF wit and humor,
and to the tribute paid to the genius of Hood, whose
bridge of Sghs'- and "Son 2 of Shirt" were
considered moral and benevolent agencies of
more potency than countless sermons on libertin.
ism and ha rdness of heart. Ii would be impossi
bic, also, to give any adequate view Of the ectur
er's speculations 10 the longevity Of the poets of
the Nineteenth century. He thong that a hundred
or two hundred years hence, Byron would still be
popular poet; that Campbell would be admired;
that w oodworth's long poems would be unread;
that Scott and Moore would have hard fight for
their poetical existence, and that Southey's TO
mantle epcs would go to pieces.
Doctor Holmes concluded his lecture and his
course with beautiful original poem, embody ing
graceful and genial farewell to bis audience.
Frenchmsn's View OF American Lite
nature.
Monsieur AMpsas, the French essayist Who
lately visited this country, makes some sensible
remarks the possibilities of clever books in this
country and is disposed to do Justice to American
authors. he remarks:
''Ee sometimes say in France, with that slash
ing hippancy whic h is too common with The
United States is country in which people only
think OF making money. There is no such thing
as a literature, and there Cannot be one At the
most, We make an exception for COoper's novels,
because we have seen them n reading rooms. But
in the first place, and speak mos disinterestedly
do not see any thing shocking in making a
fortune when one sacrifices TO il neither dignity
independence. 1t 10 in all countries the object
in life Of those who do not lind a ready made sup
port. Napoleon says well in his memoirs speak
ing of himself and the other generals in Italy: Nv
had our fortunes 10 make | do not perceive that
money is particularly despised in England or in
France, now a days have seen the chimney OF
a machine-shop rearing its head beside the feudal
towers of Bedford, and our own mobiles are at the
head OF railway ENTERPRISES; and very wisely. As
TO my comrades, the authors. they have no horror
of gam; and the example of La Brsysu giving the
MS of his CaracteTes To the granddaughter of his
publisher, a little girl who amused him by her
Prattie, has not bad, that have heard, many imi
lators.
Then, too, we must understand what mean
by literature. Do mean odes, ira gedies, and
epic poems As to that kind of literature, will
not say that Its day has gone by. Great talents
exist, no doubt, and will appear again; but, evil
IDENTIFY, the world does not incline that way. To
day, literature is something more vast and com.
prehensive- There are a crowd of works not to be
included IN any OF the recognised classes of hera
ture, hich, nevertheless, may be immortal mas
terpieces, and which, even without that glory, at
test the cultivation of nation the merit of its
authors. Studies on epoch on a country,
man, on question of philosophy, of art of histo
ry, and of politics-a summary of the results OF
scientific investigation, of travels and the like
these are what | would call the literature of the
present day which 10 creating new moulds and
frames for books, and which above all presents
che intellectual life of the times. England pos
sesses great number OF these books, in which
infor ma ton and talent combined. America
is by means without them, and there ia no
thing TO prevent her from giving birth to grea
number Of them. / believe that America viii
never have a Milton or a Shakespeare; but dC
not anticipate many such for Europe. And wha
Ia to prevent the United States from producing
another masterpiece of political philosophy, like
the Fsdraiist? What is to prevent another
Franklin from giving his practical truths TO th'
world in his shrewd, humorous style!
50 i have. not spoken Of romances. There ara
excellent paintings Of manners in Pauldipg, Miss
SedgwIck, and Hawthorne, who ia much superior
10 Cooper a novelist We have heard of the
fantastic tales of E jgar Poe. From Patrick Henry
the Virgnian Tribune, TO Clay and Webster, the
United States have had orators and their political
habits guarantee them succession Of them for
wherever liberty exists there is chance for elo-
quence. Hence, | should say, that America ID
already in very similar literary condition to Eu
rope, and the resemblance will daily increase.
So But il il said a commercial, n mocratic
country, is not fitted for art and literature. As tt
the first objection without speaking of Athens, th'
most commercial and manufacturing city o
Greece, We must not forget Florence, whose exist
ence and prosperity owing to CONNIE rec
The wool mere hants built the great cathedral, let
terra and sciences hourished under dynasty o
traders, and the vessels of the Medici broug b
back, with silks and spices, the manuscripts apC
the marble of Greece. The commercial towns o
the low countries erected those Hotel de pHLss anc
churches, which models Of architecture :"
DEATH OF Juos GIBsoN.-This eminent jurist
SO long chief justice of Pennsylvania died at tn
United States Hotel, in this city, yesterday morn