The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-27
Gl,bs &tbish.

Sge 9tolst'.
The SoNe OF HrAwArHA. BY Henry wadsworlh Long
fellow Boston: Ticknor Fields. 1855.
No American poet is probably more popular
than Longfellow. His admirers are both nu-
merous and enthusiastic. His versatile powers
have been tested in their application to variety
of styles of the art, and never without success.
Possessing great ease and smoothness of versi-
fication, scattering through his lines the rich
imagery of cultivated mind, thoroughly con-
versant with the poetry of Modern Europe, as
well as of Ancient Greece and Rome, ripe
scholar-no production comes from his pen
without bearing the stamp of an accredited au-
thorship. He wants the vigor of Dana, Lowell,
and Whittier, and some others; and, with all
his polish, we think he fails of the uniform per-
lection of finish we see in Bryant, or the CLASH
cal beauty that meets us in the best poems of
Percival, and graphic touch which belongs to
certain of Willis's poetical sketches. He has,
however, gained abroad, We presume, and per-
haps at home, higher fame than any of them.
His writings are more extensive, and cover
have differed as to his success, in the bold ven
lures he has made out from the beaten tracks
of modern poetry but all have accorded to
him high merit in passages of most undeniable
beauty and pathos. Especially has this been
the case with his Evangeline, which has al
ready afforded subjects for so many exquisite
illustrations by the pencil. His last poem, Hia
aodtha, has called forth varied echo of mingled
applause and censure. 1t has been pronounced
his best poem, and, by some, has been ridiculed
and travestied with no small skill of genius for
caricature. After careful perusal, we do not
agree with the verdict of either. We cannot
think it equal to some of his former efforts and
yet we do not concur in pronouncing it SO des-
titute of merit. 1t is work that must be judged
by what it pretends to be. And here, as it ap-
pears to us, is the difficulty under which it
labors. Simply as poem, to be taken up and
| read, we do not believe it will have perma-
nent popularity. 1t seems to have been seized
upon for recitation and, with the advantage of
being so represented with costume and SCENIC
effect, we can easily conceive that it may be,
| as is stated To be the case, quite attractive.
But we much doubt whether an Indian legend,
in the form of poem, is likely to be lastingly
successful. So far, at least, the essays in this
species of application of such primitive lore of
the American Indian do not encourage the be-
lief. Yamoyden, Tecumseh, and others we
could name, we're greeted at first with applause,
and no one can deny that they contain passages
of interest, and beautifully written; but they are
now scarcely named or thought of. Such may not
be the fate of Hiawatha. Its musical rhythm,
and the marvellous Intervening of Indian
names within its lines, the echoes of these
words falling on our ears, in the graceful versi
fcation like the distant football of the departing
red man, throw q charra over this poem. But
there is great repetition, and the legend which,
in simple prose, seiyes so strongly on the at.
tention, and bears along the thoughts with the
incidents as they come and 60, like the bright
flashes of cloud that rolls up, and then is
away, is so tied down by this process, that it
becomes tame end still life, rather than the In
dian tale. There is simplicity, but there is no
stirring power, such as we seem to detect in
most of the short, graphic stories that we find
in the works on Indian history and character.
Prof LongfelIog is, we doubt not, far more versed
than we are with all these things But length
ened poem, though 1t embrace, as does Hia-
watha, and most ingeniously wrought in, too,
a variety of Indian views of life, present and
future, traditions of ancestors spirits of olden
time, does not seem to US to possess the ele-
ments of effective power, rs DO these same Hrim,
tive annals of national belief, bursting forth
by snatches, and ia the peculiar style of the In
dian eloquence and poetry. And here, we be-
lieve, will be found its failure to interest per-
manently, if such be the case with Hiawatha.
| AMY LKE or, Without and Within By the author OF
"Our Parish" Boston: Brown, Balm, & Co. For sale
by VIM Morrison, Washington d C. PIP. $40
This is a simple story, simply told, of every
day life, the heroine being young orphan girl,
dependent upon her own efforts for support, but
with heart strong and brave to battle with the
Ills of life, rejoicing ever in the light of her own
sunny spirit, ana striving to impart to those
around her portion Of her own serene faith
aud lowly trust in Heaven.
There is ne plot nothing to excite an over:
wrought imagination; and those who read
merely to be amused, may be disappointed.
But they who would learn how to do the most
good With the smallest means, and most effect
| ually lessen the vast AMOUNT of evil in this
world of trial and disappointment, will find
profitable lessons in the unpretendiug life of
sweet Amy Lee.
THE KANSAS hEsiqy Forest, Prairie, Desert Mountain,
Vale. and River Descriptions Of Scenery, Climate
Wild Productions; Capabilities of Soil. and CONNER
cial Resources &c By Max. Greene. New York
Fowler Wells. 1856.
The eyes of the Nation are directed to Kan
sas. There is to be the battlefield of Freedom
or Slavery. There is to be settled the question
in which is involved the destiny of this growing
Republic. There hearts of stern courage are
mastering; and hands, that grow stronger as
their need demands, are grasping their weapons
of defence, never to lay them aside till the VIC
tory is won or they sink cold in death. Prayer
from many Preside altar, and missioned with
the sympathies and tears Of mothers, wives,
children, and friends, are gathering over that
spot, where are treasured so much that is dear
to the homes of New England, and of those
who have pioneered the enterprise TO rescue
the soil devoted to Liberty from the curse of
bondage. The thoughts of many brood at mid
night over the possible results, and the ear
wakes to catch the FIRST news that comes with
| lightning speed from the acene of anticipated