The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-04-24
LITERARY NOTICES.
Literary Criticisms BY Horace Binncy Wallace For sale
by TAYLOR i Marry.

by Taylor i Maury.
Although not what might, strictly speaking, term
literary man, the lamened author Of these papers found
time in the intervals of leisure afforded him arduous
duties of the law to contribute of the most excellent lit
erary papers which have adorned magazines. Mr. Wal
lace not extensively known during his lifetime
writer for the that the advertisement tells
Outside of his profession everything that be either
wrote printed given off by him in the most per-
hable form, and without the least idea of claiming
acknowledging it himself of its being any time pre-
sented by others h Though he thus summed ap ap
probation and praise which the public asuredy would have
given him. be possessed many friends who did not fail
to admire and appreciate his genius. 1t chiefly their
approval that he socous 1t for their gratfca
ton that he wrote.
The maturity of thought and cultivation of Judgment
evnced in the earliest of the papers In this volume,
the age of nineteen very remarkable From this time
until his death he continued contribute occasionally
different literary articles, mostly critical, however for this
class of writing HE and cultivation peculiarly fitted him
All of his articles bear the impress of refined tase and
evince keen appreciation of the beautiful
The last written and perhaps the most finished paper the
volume before us Is the Washington Irving" His
analysis Of the genius and character Of "Joerey Crsyon is
exceedingly able and specimen of critical compost
ton The following extract viii convey readers
idea of the style Of Mr.. Wallace which Is all that we
hope do in the short space allowed To be Justly ap
preciated Mr. Wallaces criticisms should be carefully
Not only can he Eving) do justice to every subject
write delightfully."- when he has subject at ALL Asto
ria has always seemed to be the triumph Of bis skill
for the subject there, II not nothing certainly
than nothing. Yet, by mere power Of style and
mere grace and establishment be has made
narrative delightful tale OF gen and transformed the
desert into garden Of fairy ioveiness Mr. Irving in fact
that natural fertility Of sentiment that delicate OBJ
animation which supplied in Goldsmith the OF almost
every qualification and constitute faculty Of which it is
correctly said that NHLnm gHod felgif mon orndrn
In general Mr.. Wallace clear and acute In his percep-
lions and delneations of the beauties characteristics Of
author yet In the papers which have reaa have
marked several passages that neither clear acute
profound but simply obscure For instance In speaking OF
Mr. lrvngs genius he defines its prominent characteristics
be obspaoH and fancy and in support Of his position
which mainly correct Mr.. Wallace attempts TO define the
difference between fancy and Imagination. He Is evidently
conscious that there difference but does not clearly
have comprehended n his mind the exact point
points wherein the difference os The result Is that his
definition Is confused and imperfect These faulty passages
however, not Of frequent and when they
do 1t il often from overlooking and exuberance Of
fancy which beautiful In ITSELF but apt to dazzle and be-
wilder reader that he loses sight of the real point in
hand.
Under the head Of Literary Portras Mr.. Wallace gives
an admirable sketch Of the genius and character Of George
r. Morris doing high honor 70 his mission the "Song
Writer Of AMERICA and also highly coored picture of Ru
fus w Griswod In which that gentleman receives, in
opinion of praise than justice would allow him. There
are points in which differ with Mr.. Wallace, but
we before remarked, only hope to give
faint idea Of the character Of Mr. Waaces style Were
attempting critical analysis Of his genius should feel
bound quote largely from the great variety Of erceence
which the volume before contains as is must
tent ourselves with giving the book cordial recommends
ton.
Wd Western Scenes narrative Of adventure In the west
wilderness wherein the exploits Of Daniel Boone the
great American pioneer particularly described Also
accounts OF bear, deer and buffalo hunts desperate
Hics With the savages, wolf hunts fishing and fowng ad
ventures encounters with serpents &C. New stereotype
edition, altered, revised and corrected. BY J. b. Jones.
For sale by Taylor Maury.
We have transcribed fully this rather long tepage be-
to mind II contains very full and fair description
Of the contents which is not the with most tte-pages
as many readers testify
The which Mr. Jones describes indeed gid
continuous string Of "moving accidents" chair breadth
sospe in the imminent deadly breaoha told in thn style
which suited for describing such alone Mr. Jones
has written book which, while 1t ofends against slmost
every law Of good TASTE always to find readers There
charm about the subject and the mode Of life which be
renders It almost impossible for any to write
perfectly dull book concerning them. Besides Mr. Jones
Il not the duest that met WITH although be
does evince either most criminal disregard for, or most
voful ignorance Of all laws Of consistency for instance,
the escape Of Sneak from the fire the prairie and the
counter Of Joe and Sneak with the snaksbut he game Is
not worth the csndep Nor quite that have
right to find fault with faults which have afforded
| such real amusement as those Of Mr.. Tones have,