Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-17

HOME JOURNAL PARTICULARLY, AND LITE
RATURE AND ART GENERALLY. March 22
1856. Saturday Day-shut, or evening. Scene
Family inmates, assembled in our most cosy
of all social parlors. Mrs. S. presiding at the
study-lamp, Home Journal in hand, reads
aloud, Ia her melliauent accents
From the coming book, Literary Criti
cisms," by the deeply lamented II. B. Wallace
a work now in press.
Running commentaries, viya goce.
This discriminating analysis of Greek, Ro-
man, and Hebrew art, is evidently the outpour-
ing of high and lofty order Of genius, and it
as delicious draught Of that pure aesthetic
tea" which is so famed for creating, rather than
subduing thirst. The dazzling, eloquent, and
powerful peroration or conclusion is worth a
type of gold. See no, hear! is it not?
Among all the deep minds Of Greece, there
is none that may be measured with the I'M
fathomed soul of David. The storms of the
Andes have no tones more terrble--the melo-
dies of the summer winds among groves of
myrtle and orange are not more ravishing--
than those that mingle in the bursts of his
Tyre. From the recesses of his spirit there
seems to surge forth stream which is but the
tiding overflow of the sea of Heaven. With
the roar of a coming deluge headlong it rushed
over the world, a resistless stream of light,
and power, and glory--absorbing the continent
courses of Greek intelligence and Roman
morals. 1t rolled on, in unresisted conquest,
till it met the refuent wave OF. Millions soul,
which, with audacity and strength divine,
forced back the gathered torrent even till the
God.
Next, in routine, "Studios of American
Artists"
Mr.. S. reads the sketch, and the viva voce
comment continues. The editors Of the Home
Journal are eminently imbued with the true
spirit of the beautiful in the best sense of the
word, and the interest and pride they manifest
in the growth Of art and literature in our rapidly
progressing country, should place their names
high up on that country's escutcheon among
the nations benefactors, for he who literally
encourages, in spirit and letter, the literature
and arts of people, does more for his race
than an Alexander or Caesar! The press is
an omnipotent engine, and its empire is the
whole world. The accomplished gentlemen
who so ably conduct the Home Journal are
admirably qualified for their vocation by nature
and culture, versatility of power and long
established fame.
They have pure taste, nicely discriminating
Judgment and then, besides their vast indef-
mite background of character, which inspires
the public with full faith in them, they know,
themselves, sing and build the lofty rhyme"
as well as the wildering romance, and the ana
lytical criticism. 1t would be premature to at
tempt anything like even viva voce synopsis
Of Paul Fame, novelette,, now in the course
of publication, by our inimitable Willis, but it
smacks of the raey and prolific pen of its au-
th<r o,1 he attar g. IL. L.
NOUS cognomen) to her bosom friend, in one
of the last numbers, contains precious, shy,
humorous moroccan of delicate satire, rich and
RANT.
"Story Of STAR" playful and characteris-
tic. Letters from Hillside" Certes, "Barry
Gray" lives on the comical side of human ma
ture and the world and is quite irresistible
He deserves, however, few of the spiciest
Caudle lectures, and propose myself, CON-
mittee of the Dhole, to administer them to him
gratuitously!
Then comes q comment from the Athe-
neum, on a recent attack in Putnam, or rather
dis cursion on the authorship of Shakspeare's
plays! IT'S work of supererogation to argue
upon the matter. Some audacious pen may
yet dispute the authorship of creationl
Further extracts from the book of Mr.. Wal
lace-a significant and just exposition of the
woman's rights question: sparkling critique
on Irving, Halleck, &c.
The indefatigable Mrs. S. continues to read,
(malgre the conversational interruption) and
her merry circle continue to enjoy Willis 4
Morris's luminous glimpses at the passing pan
Drama of life, and thus we are waited to the
living walls of the National Academy Of De-
sign, to see, in idea, the exquisite creations of
our pet artists, redolent Of nature and breath.
ing beauty. Thence to the Academy of Music,
to list with attent ear to linked sweetness
long drawn out"
Personal items, literary notices, poetry, fam
cy and fashion make up the recherche dessert
after the feast of reason, Debut the small
hours are approaching and Mrs. S. and the wee
ones must retire.
Running commentaries concluded. rs.
The newspapers of the day, whether religi-
GUS or literary, political or commercial, betok-
en- the health and vitality Of the nations heart,
and mark its pulsations upon the reverberating
sounding board of time There are scores of
journals and newspapers published, daily,
weekly and monthly, which are capitally con-
ducted Tin sooth they should be, for they are
the only mental aliment of large class in the
community able and brilliant, and admirable
in their Hne, such as might do honor to any
age, past, present or TO come, but the Home
Journal par excellence, is a beautiful episode
in the weary pilgrimage Of life, that cheers the
heart, expands the intellect, and refreshes the
spirit. Health and happiness to its distinguish
ed editors.
Exit Mrs. s., ETC.,
Ages OF Prominent Men I'm Europe.