The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-04-07
LITERARY NOTICES.

LITERARY NOTICES.
Essays ON THE Pozrs, and other English Writers
BY Thomas DE Quincy One vol, l6mo MARIA
TIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. BY Thomas
De Quincy. Two vols. 16mo. Boston Tioknor
Reed, 4 Fields. For sale by Taylor Maury, Wash
ington, ID. c.
In harmoniousness Of mental organization,
in extent and variety Of culture in profundity
and directness of thought in force of expression
and purity of style, probably no living English
writer surpasses Thomas De Quincy, the Eng
lish Opium Eater 1t seems almost as though
that terrible vice which Frustrated Coleridge's
best energies, and ultimately wrecked him, had
been providental ordinance in De Quincey's
case, so far as intellectual and psychological
development are concerned 1t undoubtedly
had much to do with producing that extraOr-
binary degree of nervous energy everywhere
manifest in his writings. Indeed, he seems to
us by this experience to have ignored the gross
er attributes of physical beng-fesh and mus
cle-and concentrated the vitality of his whole
original system in intellect and nerves, yet re-
tanning sort of traditional impression of
physical life, whereby to regulate his judgment.
His mind is eminently logical in its operations;
and when he argues, his premises are like hol-
lo,p squares in infantry tactics and his ratio
cinaton is as incontrovertible as the law of
gravitaton. When he takes up subject, there
is something almost vindctive in the precision
with which he strikes at once at its very heart
of hearts, often transfxing it with his first par
agraph. He has more thorough comprehen-
sion of the English language, its philosophy
and idioms, than almost any other writer of
the time. Every word he uses is exactly the
right one, and flies directly to the mark; in
deed, he is almost too fastidous in this respect,
not unfrequently making word the subject of
an explanatory note. The essays in the first
of these volumes seem to have been suggested
by Gilfllan's Gallery Of Literary Portraits, and
are rather essays upon single points in the char
acters of the several poets spoken Of in the e.
innate and Interpretation of which he differs
from Mr.. Gilfllan, than general essays upon
their absolute merits.
SPAIN: her Institutions Politics, and Public Men
Sketch. BY s. T. Wallis, author of Glimpses of
Spain" Boston: Tcknor Reed a Fields. For
sale by Taylor Maury, Washington, d. C.
We have less real knowledge of Spain her
institutions, her governmental policy and her
leading minds, than probably any other coun-
try of Europe, of equal Importance. Whether
it is because they have not been written Of to
the same extent, or because what has been
written has not been read, we shall leave others
to determine; but certain it is, that, as a gen.
eral thing, our most specific idea Of Spaniard
in SPAIN is a vitalized compound of hot blood,
black beard and moustachc, wrapped in a
cloak, and surmounted by sonsbrero tinkling
guitar to love dtty, under balcony or lat
tice-window, at midnight, and mayhap stilet-
tong q rival or two between the stanzas; while
a pair of black eyes and o mantiila constitute
o Senorita; and 10 on, in proportion through
all the national characteristics In view of this
general ignorance, the book before us is val
liable contribution to our literature but aside
from this judged only by its intrinsic merits, il.
is one of the most delightful books "our table "
has been called upon to acknowledge this sea-
son. Eminently graceful and fluent in diction,
anecdotal and funny, or earnest and eloquent
at will treating of the people, their character
and customs; the Government it's policy and
leaders; of country, aud climate, and palaces
and pictures, and equipages and costumes
with an ease and nonchalance which is perfect
ly charming, and which yet covers remarkably
keen perceptions, sound and practiced judg-
ment a ready and general knowledge of politi-
Cal science and an acute apprehension Of char
acter; all perfected by travel and joined to o
pleasant wit and most engaging humor. In
deed, Mr.. Wallis seems to combine in an unu-
sual degree just tho qualities most to DO de-
sired in traveller, and we hope to hear from
him again ere long.
RoDoLrnus. A Fmnconia Story. BY the author of
the RoIla Books. New York Harper q Brothers.
For sale by Franck Taylor Washington, d. c.
Every little heart will rejoice at the advent
of another Francohia story! Few writers COM
bine, in 30 eminent degree, the faculties re-
quisite to insure success in this difficult and i'm
portant departme1D of literature, as Jacob Abb
bolt. There is an air of reality naturalness
about the characters and incidents of his sto-
ries, which ut once fixes and holds the attention
OF his little readers; and then he never for
gets that he il writing for children, 40 his styl
never flies beyond the reach of their compre-
henson. Judging from the greeting which his
five predecessors have received, we think Ro-
dolphus need have little fear of getting the
cold shoulder The Harpers deserve much
commendation for the beautiful manner in
which this series Of stories has been gotten nm.
The present volume contains twenty three neat
wood-cuts.
The PoEricAL WoRKs or JoHS MILros; With n
life Of the author; preliminary dissertations on each
poem notes critical and explanatory; nm index 10
the subjects Of Paradise Lost and a verbal ipdex
to all the poems. Edited by Charles Dexter Glove.
land. l2mc PIP oos Philadelphia: Lippincott 4
Grambo 1858
This edition of Millions poetical works. com.
plete, has been prepared with the care and
ability Of which Professor Cleveland's literary
integrity, learning and taste, are q sufficient
assurance to the public, already long and ia
miliarly acquainted with him as an editor and
author Of valuable books In this publication
he has revised the text with jealous and scru-