The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-27

edge, of young person, unbiased by any sim
liar religious creed as his own-uninhuenced
by the opinions of others-who, from personal
examination of the work, expressed the opin-
ion that its tendency was not good, and panthe-
istic. And it is to be feared that, from some
at least of the extracts, no other than a skepti-
cal influence could be derived. That those
personally acquainted with the amiable compi-
Ter, numbered among her friends, having the
opportunity to learn in conversation her views,
whose sympathies are thus blended with her
own, and so form their estimate, should feel
different, is not strange. But can the public
through the country Judge, except from the
book itself? And if they deal with that, is not
its influence, such as it is, on the mind, that for
which the accountability lies to God, as it goes
forth with its continued utterance2 Gladly is
the statement welcomed as to the high esti-
nation of its author, and as to her aim, and
cheerfully is accorded to her "the reverence
and honor" claimed. If aught of injustice has
been done, in this respect, it is sincerely Ia
mented. But the writer's view of the deficiency
and unfortunate tendency of the work is unal-
tered. The book must speak for ITSELF The
public now, its influence in aftertime and
eternity, will decide who is right and who is
wrong. REVIEWER.
The WoRKs THE LATE EDGAR ALLAN PoE With
Memoir. By Rufus Wilmot Grswold. And Notices of
his Life and Genius BY N. p. Willis and J. r. Lowell
In four volumes. ". Arthur Gordon Pym &c. Red
EAlI W.
Washington, ID. C.
"The glance of melancholy is" we are told,
"a fearful gift" That of perverted genius
must be no less SO, and such we can only re-
gard it in the case of Edgar Poe. No one can
deny that he had brilliant talents. No one,
we think, but must admit that he is one of tie
examples of those who have made miserable
use of his opportunities. Early victim to the
grave, what has he left behind him worthy of
the endowments bestowed upon him? A few
poems and sketches, that serve only to show
what better things he could have done-ertrar
aganzas, we might call them, indicating an
erratic spirit, fever-heated, or working under
the operation of some potency still more fatal.
We admit that we are not very familiar with
all his productions. His Raven has gained him
fame; and most diverse are the judgments
passed on the numerous tales and essays which
are embraced in his works. But we do not
consider them, striking, as they often are, in
parts, entitled to the rank assigned to them by
his admirers; and we scarcely ever lay one
down, after perusal, without thinking to what
better things he might have turned his thoughts.
The power of analysis has been claimed for
him in an unusual degree; and some tales or
essays, we hardly know how to characterize
them, seem to Justify the claim. He has been
compared, we believe, to DIR. Quincy, but we
cannot perceive the likeness. The first half
nearly Of this volume is taken up with sort of
imitation of Robinson Crusos, cleverly done,
called Arthur Gordon Pym. There are also
some eighteen or twenty miscellaneous articles,
including few reviews, mostly taken from the
Literary Messenger, in which they were first in
serted. These are Of unequal merit and some
of them are such mere medeys of strange vul.
garities, as we should be disposed to term them,
that they can add nothing to his literary fame.
The volume is printed in neat, handsome
style, such as characterizes Red6eld's recent
publications. 1t completes the collection, and
the editor asserts for it the merit of containing
Mr.. Poe's most remarkable productions. In
many respects, it is less Objectionable than
some of the former ones and we question not,
by the numerous admirers of the author, it will
be received with due acclaim.
From Mr.. Taylor, we have also received
HARPER's MAGAZINE for November. This contains di-
versifed collection of subjects Some of these,
al are illustrated. Besides Little Dorrit, among the
longest articles, we have historical sketch of the ST
Bartholomew Day Massacre, written by j. s. c. Alb
bot; Up and Down Among the Andes; Passages of
Eastern Travel; Something About the Horse; also an
article Great Epidemics and paricu the Yellow
Fever, with other lighter pieces; the Editors Table
Easy Chair, and Drawer, more less rscy Several
comic sketches called Portraits of Advertiser. &c &c
The taste of nearly all classes appears to be
consulted in making up the number little of
everything. This number of the magazine
closes its thirteenth volume.