The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-22
LITERATURE.


by few extracts:-
In our view it 0his event) constitutes fact quite
remarkable in the history of Journalism and even Of lite
nature.
Mr. Bonner is man Of liberal spirit and a sagacious
understanding; and happen TO know that he has de-
sired to elevate the literary character Of the Ledger
Two hundred dollars for single article perhaps not
longer than that which we are now writngl CONCEIVE Oh
emotions If We were 10 pocket check OF two hun
dred dollars for thshough of course we have nothing
to say of the respective merits of lucubaons and
Eose Of Mr.. Evcrittl OH no, not at all mat wasn't
We have no doubt that Mr. Bonner has invested his
thousand dollars judconsly The increased circulation
which his paper VIII enjoy from its connection with Mr.
Everetts nae and with that OF Washington, will return
him the outlay with liberal interest.
We can wei, imagine that Mr.. Everett must have felt
some natural reluctance be overcome such would
not have been had the proposal como in the
form Of an addition to his own private income.
In general we are pleased with everything which brings
he gifted and cultivated minds OF the country into i'm
mediate communication with tho general mind. We
view with great satisfaction the good example set IN Eng
land IN this regard, by those distinguished nobemen the
Earl of Carlisle and Earl Stanhope in giving popular lee
lures and presiding at meetings for popular intellectual
II well for minds OF the highest class in our coun-
try to stand I aoof from the common aoors and common
whether in politics or anything else.
Now, Robert you may go ahead. Boston is will
ing, and nobody else can have any objections. So
tell Edward to 90 to the statoners and buy his
paper.
Mr.. Bonner and the Mount Vernon Associa-
ton.
The following letter from Mr.. Bonner appears in
answer to some comments recently made in the
Times, upon the very liberal arrangement effected
between the Ledger proprietor and Edward Eve
rett:-
LETTER FROM THE PROPRIETOR OF THE NEW YORK
LEDGER
TO TIE KDIroR or TIE NEW YORK TIMES.
In your paper of Monday morning, in comment
ing upon the accession of the Hon. Edward Eve
ret to the list of the regular contributors to the
Neto York Ledger, you avail yourself OF the occa-
sion to abuse several other contributors to that
journal. Concealing your poniard under the guiso
of specious iattery, you seek also to intlict some
fatal stabs upon my own reputation. You compl-
ment my sagacity ut the expense Of every other
quality of character which should be dear to a
man. This might tickle the vanity of charlatan,
ambitious of notoriety of and nothing more. It is
very displeasing to me.
You have often boosted of the character of your
readers; you now reflect severely upon that Of
mine. 1t is very presumptuous-- only an I'M
warranted, but a ridiculous assumption on your
part--to pretend that your journal Circulate5
among better class than mine. Facts do not ex-
list without causes and why should this be so? Why
should not my paper be quite equal to yours! 1t
is prepared with the greatest care. Much of it
il written by scholars of great requirement and
the highest distinction of the articles by
professors in colleges eminent alike for their learn
ing and moral worth. ! employ aud pay supe-
rior class of writers, because can afford TO pay,
and do pay, more than any other Journal on the
continent. | am, consequently, enabled to mako
the best paper. Now put 1t to you, will not the
best paper command the best class of readers !? j
set out, originally TO make the very best weekly
journal in the world.
| never had the slightest idea of publishing a
paper merely for private circulation. ] never pre-
tended 10 have that contempt for the people which
il affected by some. ] determined to make my
paper popular and AZ the same time pure and ele-
waited in It's literary and moral tome For years, al
ways steadily progressing, my studies and labors
were almost incessant-occupyng, much of the
time, eighteen hours out Of the twentyfour. II
have achieved great and unparalleled success in
my line IL il but the fair fruit of earnest enterprise
and honest industry. have never hestated to en-
gage aud monopolise, at any cost, the very best
writer's who could be had. You, while showering
upon me doubtful compliments, seek, studiousy, to
convey the impression that am merely skill
full advertiser. II my journal had not possessed
rare merits, the mere advertising Of IT, however
extensively, permit me to inform you, would
never have made my fortune. have never known
a man 70 win race with horse destitute of wind
and bottom, simply by his skill in getting him
upon the track.
In the course Of your attack, you have gratui-
tous and uncallcd for thrust at the fascinating
Fanny Fern, the first sketch writer Of the times
a woman whose only offence il the possession Of
rare genius. The gallantry and chivalry of every
community insure just appreciation Of an assault
like this. ] wonder that you had no malicious al
fusion, by name, TO some Of the other authors who
write for the ledger. There IL Mrs. Sigourney,
Of the nation. Every week you will tnd one Of
her poems In the ledger There il Alice Cary,
with her sweet and spiritual Tyre. She writes for
no paper but the Ledger. There II John g. SAKE,
the most popular poet aud humorous writer living.
lie writes only for the Ledger There Il George ID.
Prentice Is he not universally considered one Of
the first wits and journalists Of the country He
contributes 10 every number OF the Ledger. Why
should all these have escaped the visitation Of your
wrath?
But the Sublime Sylvanus Cobb as you call
him. seems 10 trouble you most Well, sir, have
reserved him for more full discussion Mr.. Cobb liz
one Of the most successful writers living and he s
one OF the best. say best" understandi,gy and
with my eyes open. know exactly wha. he II. He
is not invariably ornate and polished in his style;
but he j. man ~ decided genius. and Of vast and
varied information. n. does not pompously parade
quotations from Latin French, Spanish and Italian;
he does not I'LL all his writings with egoism and
pedantry. He IA clear, straightforward forcible,
and honest writer. value his writings. and pay
highly for them, because they are just what they
are-pure in morals, honest and noble in sentI-
ment simple In dction, plain In construc-
ton, and thoroughly adapted 20 the tastes and
comprehension Of the people. ! am glad To have
tho issue distinctly made on the character Of hs
productions because certain starvoling !,,tTdtcurs
whose articles have been rejected by me over and
over again. are in the habit Of decrying Cobb,
and sncering at Cobb, and raving and swearing
about Cobb, and drinking confusion to Cobb"
and because these same men. for the most part,
control and give tone 10 what Is called literary
tfitst-H VI ssitAn quarters. ihe Thbn rs ~ -
not Mr.. Cobbs " style whereat and whereby these
critics are offended but his popularity and bank
account They cannot bear that their literary
banings should be chucked into the IRE, while
Mr.. Cobhs paid for literally, published extern
sively, and read enthusiastically
And now, sir "a To the literary merit and moral
tone of the editorial and miscellaneous departments
Of the Ner York Ledger. On these points chal-
lengc scrutiny and criticism. The readers Of the
Ledger know ia worth it, tone and character; but
certain talkstive and scribbling people, who are
considered in certain weak quarters to be very Sc
lect and very literary, because the great public will
have nothing 10 do with them or their writings, and
who always talk and scribble most about that con-
corning which they know the least, TO be pos
sessed Of the idea that whatever IL stupendorsly
successful must Of necessity be in some way, If not
in every way. inferior Having been accustomed
TO estimate the superiority Of their production
by the extent 20 which they do not 90, they natu-
rally reckon the inferioyity ponular writinus and