The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-09-03


free country, mans honor is kept bright
by virtue and generous feeling, and the in.
stinctive love Of liberty will teach him to
put high estimate upon the privileges OF
others.
But, to return from this slight DEPRESSION,
let us briefly notice some of the departments
of Literature, recalling. as we pass along a
few writer's, who have done honor to them
selves and country in their several spheres
Of action.
In all the sciences, the American mind,
by its originality and clean elucidalion, has
struck out for itself new paths, exploded old
theories, and. consequently, brought to light
many things. which hitherto remained in
doubt and uncertainty.
History, teeming with exciting scenes and
stirring events, rich in heroic achievements.
high-toned patriotism. and lofty purpose,
has engaged the gifted pens OF Bancroft and
Prescott the former, by his vivid style and
vast resources-the latter, by his fine ar
rangement, and interesting narrative, would
do credit TO any age and nation.
Shall we cross the oceans wave to find
works on ethics and plilosophya No; not
while we boast a Maryland, Hitchcock, and
host of others. These fields Of Literature
have brought TO their aid many gifted minds
"a strong array of brilliant talents, which
a,e as shining lights, shining brighter and
brighter. All have their peculiar influence
and particular admirers. Although some of
the writers on ethics differ materially on
slavery, yet they all agree upon the funda-
mental principlcs-the different views on
our peculiar institution being traceable TO
their early instruction, and the particular
doctrines Of their respective sections Of the
Union.
Shall the young physician fresh from the
walls of his Alma Mater, just entering upon
his practice in the prairies of tue far West,
or in the northern portion Of the country.
make the practice of European physicians
his guide or should he not rather turn TO
treatses by American authors, and there
find the remedies for the diseases, which
the varied climate and soil Of our country
produce? OF course, the latter method
should be pursued, as the diseases differ SO
much in their nature from those of Europe.
that the best medical writers of the old
world, have hut lightly glanced at them.
The American physician will always find
the medical works of American authors his
best guides. ... .......
And has the department of the Law been
an idle spectator all the whilel We think
not, and although our writers, in this field
OF Literature, may not possess the teSeness
of Blackstone, or the polished finish Of a
Coke, still they richly merit need of
praise, for the scientific form to which they
have reduced the laborious commentaries of
English writers. Where there are so many
different States, the natural result is, that
there must be different laws and as each
State is sovereignty in itself, the national
works must be tie surest guide to the
American lawyer. Works on this science
are on an increase, and some Of them will
compare favorably with any in the world.
Have we no Narrative and Descriptive Lit
erature Of our own2 Does not our country,
with its varied scenery of hill and dale -
with its wide extended prairies, and gently
slopng lowlands-with its sweet murmur-
ing brooks, and majestic rive,s-wiih its
mountains and valleys-furnish themes to
this class Of writer's The grace and ease
of Irving. the exciting sea stories Of Cooper,
the patriotic narratives of Simms. the graph
ic pictures of Paulding. speak loudly in our
behalf We proudly. point to them, and, in
the language of the Roman matron, say,
these are our jewels" in this particular
branch of Literature. But these stand no.
alone; they are surrounded by host of
worthy contemporaries, who have graced
NarratiSe Literature with their most beauI.
ful etfusions.
Do we lack in Poets Not in number,
surely. Tis true we cannot boast Homer,
Virgil, Milton, nor Scott yet there are
many worshppers Of the "tunefu nine
who. for sweetness and beauty, pathos and
sentiment, have done honor to themselves
and to their Country. and we gladly hal!
them as brother Americans. The baeu;y
and freshness of Bryant, the sweetness of
Mrs. Sigourney. the elegance of Halleck, the
light grace OF Willis, refute iiie foui imp..
tation Of the naughty EngIishlnan, that we
have no Poets. And Longfellow's Hiawa-
tha-where can its equal be found for inge-
nuiiy and originality Z 1t stands without a
rival" grand gloomy and peculiar the
admiration Of all.
Our country, with its great diversity OF
scenery and productions, furnishes the no.
blest themes to the Pastoral Poet. Rural life,
in all its felicity. opens wide her gates at his
approach. and invites him to breathe his
strains in harmony with the happiness of a
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