The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-10-18
CHARLES Uacksy.

IFreu wilmer and eni,hs surcpeAn nmes, Oa 81
We snnouneed so%s . s1 moaths ssc that this dis
America with the view OF surveying the numberless
objects Of interest presented by the Western World,
especially the laws and institutions Of the American
republic, and their influence on the political N<d
social dsveopement Of great country. Circ an.
Stances occurred 10 defer his departure; but ~ mn
derstand thst be win sail this day per the Asa.
We formerly gave our American rsad..rs bio
literary character from kindred pen that OF the
late Angus Reacb-whose untimeiy death hss been
80 much and 80 Justly lamented. r. Reach's picture
i equally truthful and eomprebensive; but one par
ticuar feature might be more specially described
Macksys genius as song v~riser in which capaci
~, we conceive, he stands are eminent and alone.
The immense importance Of the songs OF a
people Tor good or III, upon the peoples character
the rulers Of nations have used them as a powerful
engine Tor acting upon the popular feelings and
the popular viii. The atrocities Of the first
nes s is s sna mere By the ss h0s:s
patriotic ardor OF the republican armies was
raised to enthusiasm by the grand ch0ai swell
Of ine harseiilalse. Among the great poets
think. who have incurred the deepest 0iKy
both 70 God and man for the use they have made OF
their talent But there are few OF these who APP
pear to have been fully aware Of the poser o the
weapon they were welding, or 10 have lad dEy con-
sste NJ or definite objec. IN the OF it. The same
man 3 DOW all pnrity ard virtue Dow vollptuous
syharite; now stern morast, nov careless scofer:
now exEoiDg the pleasures OF innocence, nov revei-
hing III the Joys OF "Iove and wine, Or, in ether
words scnsuaity and Drunkenness
u is The glory Of Charles Escksy that from every
such charge he s entirely free. In hia Songs as in
al MS wrirines he hos one great purpose nc neagt,
from wni3n he never dey-stes for a noaiont-t tue
prono.ion OF huo.an virtue and auman happiness.
Free government equal laws liberal Institutions. an
enlightened spirit in the ruling powers, the diff Ison
among an classes of the best feelings and charities
of social and domestis ffs-thcse are the Objects
which he putsues IN every hue OF his writings. la
this respect IL may be said that he stands sOue q,
least We know OF no other OF whom the same thing
can be said 70 an equal extent. Mckay IA ~ been
compared 10 Berapger: Int in this point of view, az
all events the comparison does no. hold. B6rsnger
ls a Frenchman 20 The backoone-ss th0roogn Pa
risian as our own Charles Lamb was / ondoner and
his verses arc ree tons Of the most prevalent Frensh
feelings, even the mot irrational. HIS yases. more
over, abound in impurities, and ere often po,luted
With indecencies, not to say obscenises, which in
England would SAVIOR Of Hoiyvell Get, aud come
under Lord Campbells Act. BeraDger Is capnyst-
ing chGnsoanier, but to compare the tendencies o.
hia writings with those of Mackay is 20 do grea in
Justice to our countrymaD. IN speaking Of Nackay
az song writer do not take into account I'll his
poems which are denominated lyrical. This term
certainly means poetry combined with MUSIC, but Is
not actually so spilled. A song is lyrical poem,
but lyrical poem il no, always Q song. Andcreons
odes were certainly surg 70 the Tyre, aud Horaces
may have been 20 treated, though this seems doubt
ful bu. modern poets have given the lyrical form
70 verses that were never meant TO he suag. Who
would dream OF singing Words Torth's lyrical bal
Lads Waiter Scott wTose many tlilgs which be
meant to be, and calei songs bat they turned to
lie only poems xithou Tie essential features OF the
song. Many o. Mackay lyrical poems are not songs,
nor in,enced as such; and, though the same puoli-
cation sometimes contains pieces OF both ki0ds,
without anv express distinction, yet the difference
between them is pslpable The volume entitled
Songs fo- Music !; ~ha. It's title indicates: itcon
ssts entirely OF songs, and Includes most tthough
not the vbole) Of those which have gained the
greatest popularity. "Undsr Green leaves" is a
collection OF lyrics which includes several beautiful
songs-mos. OF the Ballads and lyrical PieCes' are
capable o; musical treatment though some OF them
belong rather % The class Ct poems; and the
"Voices from the Crowd" include several inspiring
strains, such a. Clear The Way and The Good
Time Coming, which, ~ songs, nave ron through
the length and breadth OF the land. Tho. vou ne
containing the very striking roern, The Lump a.
told" contains also several fine songs; and great
number of songs scattered through the columns Of
been yet collected.
We would therefore wish oIr readers, in forming
an idea OF Ha,kay as song writer, 10 give taet NJ
tention to those lyrical pieces which are truly and
essentially songs II viii be fonnd ths. they are ali
animated by the spirit which we have endeayored 70
describe that their purpose 70 the progress and the
welfare OF mankind; and thai an esrnes. pcrsut Of
tbs oh'ec. il accompanied, Lot on!y with yigH Of
bought, but With al the Light; graces o. Q ich
Imagination. Macksys music Is not stately ror
sustere. He the chords of hi Tyre in endless
changes of incubation alternately grand energetic
passionate, tender, fancifll and playful HIS lar.
gusge i full Of manly Simplicity an every thought
2nd feeling is conveyed With plauness viii n con-
lrasts sinrnlaIly With The affected mysticisp and
oisculity fashionable in modern poetry. His verse
IS exceedingly sweet, flowing and meIoiious and his
over the resources o. rby .hn which fes Engsh song
writer's possess. In his kappiest eddsiIns he has
cort''ei the force c. Burns With the elegance and
polish OF Moore