The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-08
Gbs &sbieh.


THE PoErIcAL WoRKs of Augustine Duganne Philade-
phia: Parry Mcmillan. 1885.
n Here is a volume got up in the publishers
best style-fne paper, beautiful type, with or
nsmented borders and various elegant devices
rendering its whole appearance very attractive.
So far, so good. 1t is credit to the well known
house by whom it is issued. Such book
always an easy one for the eye to run over, and
hence the reader sits down to it prepossessed,
and it seems of necessity to demand a favor
able notice. THERE'S an old maxim, however
All is not gold that glitters;" and, therefore,
we must not stop here, but search somewhat
further. What is its object? and is it really
worth anything, after all p? It's poetry. "The
Mission of Intellect;" that sounds well
"MDCCCXLVIII; The Year of the People,
There ought to be something stirring in this.
That was the year of the great revolutions in
Europe, when thrones and kings went and free
dom seemed about to triumph and it is dedi-
Gated, too, " To the heroes of 48 and the martyrs
of 40" Then again" The Gospel of Labor :"
and this inscribed to the "True Laborer
whether he WELD the pen or the sledge") We
think editors and printers, and all who hammer
at the press, may come under that head. The
theme is noble one. Then we have break
in our sheets of some fifteen pages for it is not
bound copy we have before us, 1.-THE publishers
can take hint, We presume,) and the title we
next find at the top is, The True Republic"
We wish our own, in its practice, came nearer
the real import, or the description. To these
pieces follow succession Of lyrics, under the
title of the Iron Harp embracing "The Song
of Toll, "The Poets Task" "The Poet and the
People" &C., &c. Here we are at dead stand
another break of some sixteen pages more
the last strings of the Iron Harp give us no
further strains, and we are all at once surprised
to see that "Parnassus in Pillory" is before our
eyes. Satre-caustic, pillorying with right good
will many of the most popular writer's of the
day, in some cases with merted severity, and
perhaps In others not-runs through sixtypages.
And what next? Manifest Destiny" war
eclogue; "Our Country-Right or Wrong" a
bold rebuke of this pretented patriotic, but in
truth most iniquitously unpatriotic sentiment,
on occasion of the late war with Mexico. Then
we have a short piece, " The Maiden of the
Shield" and longer one, or rather many links
in chain-"T The Human Heart" "Metrical
Miscellanies, Poems of Boyhood," with which
our loose sheets conclude. We suspect the
whole work, however, is longer. Such are the
authors topics. Many of the titles are striking
and well chosen. The vein of manly spirit,
love of liberty, and generous impulse, which
pervades his writings, entities him to commend
alton. He is one of those few who like Bcy-
ant, Whittier, and Lowell, dare to speak out for
the rights of man, whether bond or free; who
honor labor, and never "crook the pregnant
hinges of their knees, and follow thrift by fawn-
ing" No mincing words, or paltering to the
sense, belongs to his employed language We
do not say that all the poems are equally good,
and that there are no lines which are not above
mediocrity. But we do say there is rich poetry,
and spiritstirring language, as well as apt and
beautiful imagery, in many of these. We could
Gull out many a quotation, gems of thought,
and especially wrought into a most fair encha-
sing Voices are here, that breathe like the
trumpet echoes Of the million hearted band who
are struggling in the hard fight to quell tyrant
Power, and bid Freedom live. He makes not a
little use of Bible phrases, and yet does not
trench, as too many do, in q rude manner on
its hallowed associations. There are applica-
tons of its language to his topics which might
better not have been made; but we acquit him
of intentional irreverence. We cannot wonder
that any one with true political feeling should
regard that book as the great source from which
he may derive his choicest imagery, as well as
richest thoughts relating to human veal. But
we have said enough, probably too much, on a
book 80 fragmentary as this is, as it now lies
before u.s. These harp-strings may yet sound out
a more vigorous and holder strain. Why should
they not? What hindsrs it? Not want of
talent in the author.
THOUGHTS AND APorHEGNs from the writings of Arch
bishop whatey. Philadelphia Lindsay & Blakiston
For sale by Taylor Il Maury, Washington, D. c.
1t was good idea to select out the choice
thoughts of such writer, and give them to the
public in q volume. "The words of the wise
are as goads," as nails fastened in a sure
place by the masters of assemblies" the true
teachers of men. Archbishop Whately is one
of these, and there is solid weight in the Apo
thegms and Thoughts of such a man. They
remind us much of Pascal's Thoughts, for they
are the products of master mind accustomed
to careful reflection. Unlike many superficial
thinkers, who throw out their ideas at hap
hazard, Whately, if he gives his to the public,
fresh at the moment, brings them forth from
the treasurehoase of mind which has been
storing them, wrought out for use as needed,
or at least those combinations of parts which, if
new, have been SO perfected they could be at
once fitted in proper proportions on any occa-
sion. This is one advantage of so logical and
thoroughly disciplined anintellect. The thoughts
of such learn others to think and to think right.
The subjects, too, of this book, are of kind to
give them additional value, as they relate to
religion and practical life. This is the train.
ing now needed for all classes. We have not
met with a more useful book of this description
for long time. Coined from the mint of his
reflection, they yet bear the image and super
scriDtlOn. not of Cpaar hnt of ona that waa