New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-11-18
iaffent Publications.

O tender regard for the man than strict judge
ment concerning the author. and mild essayists
Of the Mutual Admiration School, have done o
great deal Of injury to our literature by over
looking all that was poor, bad or commonplace
and extravagantly landing that which was
merely passable. They have either forgotten
or disregarded the true principles of criticism.
a pretty versi6cation or specious fancy have
been allowed to stand in place of strong, yigor-
Gus feeling, masculine thought and correct ex-
preston One of the idols of these people has
been William Cullen Bryant and if ever any
Poet was over rated, we think he is the man.
His g Thanatopsis is certainly good, exceeding
ly good, and on it all his reputation rests, as
does Fitz Green Halleck's upon the single poem
Of s Marco Bozzaris;" Philip Cookies on g Flor
ence Vane; and Poe's on 6 The Raven" We
defy any one to look through these two vol
umes Of poetry and find any thing strong, ner-
vous and masculine enough to live; or any thing
sensuous and beautiful enough to be popular.
There is a wearying sameness Of sentiment and
expression in them all. He writes to the Winds,
the Evening Wind, the West Wind, the Summer
Wind, and the Hurricane, and all the titles
m1g1U DC CHauTeu HUH Oue W tilS Utuer W1UuUub
material detriment to any.
S The Death of the Flowers g Autumn
Woods, g To Waterfowl which we imagine
to have been goose-and the q Yellow Violet
are his most generally admired poems. They
are quite readable, and much superior to those
that grace the Louisville Journal; but if all,
or any of them are judged by the true rules of
poetry, they will fall immensely from the high
position they now enjoy. We do not say this of
Bryant alone but Of all our American Poets
they are hugely over-rated, and must ultimate
~ come down, for Time is a stern judge and
has no fellowship with any Mutual Admira-
tion or other societies.
We are nevertheless glad that these poems
have been published. They will be very extern
siyely read beyond doubt, and, by showing our
poetasters how much excellence is needful to
secure even Bryant's reputation. may induce
greater care in composition. There is plenty of
material here for poetry worthy Of the name
There are plenty Of people capable of writing
it. But that which is really good is not born Of
q day, nor is it even of the character so popular
at present. We have hopes Of sound senti-
ment on this subject by and by when the need
now, and more time can be afforded for study
and labor. At present our poetry is in chry
sails state; between the barbsric and the re-
fined; not nervous and rugged like 0ssan and
the Scotch ballads, nor polished like the present
English verse
We should add that these volumes are hand
somely printed by the Appletons, and can be
had at ]. G. Morgan's.
FAeGors FOR PRESIDE or, Fact and Fancy BY
Peter Parley, Illustrated New Ri M
We are happy to welcome Peter Farley back to
a department Of literature he has heretofore SO
ably and successfully cultivated It was some
time since said by an English writer that the
two American authors best known in that coun-
try were Peter Farley and Noah Webster.
Since then other names have undoubtedly
stepped into equal transatlantic popularity,
but to this day there are few writer's in either
country who are better known or more eagerly
read by the little folks for whom Peter Farley
caters. He is very felicitous in his choice of
subjects, and very successful in their treatment,
adapting himself more entirely to the wants
and understanding of childhood than either Alb
bott or Hawthorne, and being infinitely more
interesting than Mrs. Barbauld. His present
work, Faggots for the Fireside,'' is somewhat
more advanced in its character than those pre-
vious, and is intended for about the same age
as the g Wonder Book +" and g RolIo Stories .
1t is admirably printed and illustrated, and will
make an acceptable present for the holidays, or
any other days. Morgan has it for sale.
EsnLr HERbEkr or the Happy Home By NJ J. McIn-
tosh. New York D. Appleton s. Co.
Miss Mcintosh has written number of stories
for children before. They are all Of religious
character, and have enjoyed considerable popu-
larity The present work is very small and
very well printed. 1t can be had at J. C. Nor
gan's.
CHEMISTRY OF COMMON LIRE Not. The Narcotics we
Indulge in and the Poisons we Select. BY IF. W.
Johnston. New York: D. Appleton s. Co.
We have copied somewhat extensively from
previous numbers Of this very valuable series
Of works, and shall, at an early day, condense
some portions of this number.
PATENT OFFICE REPORT. Part II 1858 Agriculture.
We are indebted to the Hon. Mr.. Slidell, of
this State, for copy Of the above work from
the great publishing concern conducted at
Washington by Uncle Sam. Regarding the
issues Of this establishment, we copy the follow
ing from the last number of the Westminster
Review:
Like all American writings Of this kind (Heapss on
DIAL Survey Of the Railroad Route to the Pacfc) the
report conveys the information collected in the ceares
and fewest words; unencumbered with remarks of any
kind beyond what actually required If sblue- |
book were drawn up comparing the English and Amer
lean method OF Official reporting it would probably be the
last blue-book which would appear
The WESTMINSTER REVIEW. October 1854. NewYork: |
Leonard Scott g. Co. Neworleans j, @. Morgan.
We are always confident of finding something |
readable, instructive and interesting when we |
take up one of the great English quarterlies;
something sound and studied; good to-day, to-
morrow and for all time. The present number I
of the Westminster has not disappointed us. |
Its opening article, on the odin- Religion, is an
essay of great research and, to those fond of
Scandinavian mythology, of great interest.
The papers upon History, Madame de Sable, and
the Rise and Progress of Diplomacy, will COM
mend themselves to every intelligent and edu-
Gated person. As usual, the chapter on Con-
literature is complete and very valu-
able as 8 synthess of the quarters literary
progress.
The AaiTRiaaN oorros PLANTER. Montgomery, Alabama
November.
This very useful Southern monthly has been
received. We commend it to Southerners for
support.
CONGRESSIONAL DOCUMENT.
We are indebted to ]. D. B. DeBow, ESQ.,, for
o copy of the Compendium of the United States
Census for 1850.