The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-03-21

| LEAVES rhoM OhEST IT'LL, m0ntn
'y Published at the Rockford, ILL.,, Female
Seminary, and from the editorial table we
clip the following as capital hit upon
thecrticisms so prominent in the month
lies" of national notoriety:
"LITERARY REvIEw.-Among the
many volumes, rich in ancient and mod
ern lore, which grace our table, our at
tention has been particularly directed to
volume of poetry entitled Mother
Goose's Melodies Perhaps no classical
writer Of any age has obtained more
world wide renown, than the author OF
these poetic and soul stirring poems. 1t
may be questioned, whether any writer
has exerted a more mighty influence in
the formation of character, and the desti-
nies of nations even, than the one who
penned those impershable, and inimita-
bic lines of that familiar story, 'Old
Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard"
&c. The very first verse is history in
itself, telling of old age, poverty, constan-
cy in adversely, and disappointed expecta-
ton. Or, take this single verse, which
contains more real poetic fire and genius
than dozen verses of modern sentiment
alism:
"Pray cat, pussy cat, where have you been?
I've been to London to see the Queen.
Pussy cat, pussy cat, what saw you there7
saw alittlc mouse beneath the Queen chair >
"These lines are doubtless familiar 10
every reader; but like a great many 9th
er beautiful things, which have been known
to us for years, as, for instance, the rising
of the sun, which for beauty and grandeur
cannot be surpassed, we fail to appreciate
its whole meaning and beauty. The We
ry first line is remarkably characteristic of
the writer, by one brief stroke of the pen
bringing the whole scene vividly to view.
We are at once introduced into the au-
thor's study, with its pleasant light and
warmth. We are sure its inmate must
have been warm-hearted, magnanimous
individual, else there had never been found
cat there on such intimate terms,-for
you will notice that selfish and morose
persons, never can endure cats. There
sits the Poet in the large easy chair, gap
ing dreamily into the fire; good old
fashioned fireplace, we imagine, for this
was before air tig ght stoves and anthracite
coal came into use. AT this moment, q
beautiful pussy enters the room. Now
most writers would have stopped to en-
large upon the beauties OF the cat; but
this author, with remarkably good sense,
refrains from wearying us, and leaves that
for us to infer, or imagine. The poet softly
caresses the dear little pet, then, seized
with sudden inspiration, such ms gifted
minds are sometimes favored with, he
snatches up his pen in fine "poetic
phrenzy," and swiftly indites these lines
which have immortalized his cat, and
handed down his fame from generation TO
generation, until the present time. No
tice what a remarkable fight Of imagina-
ton is displayed in the second line-'I
have been to London to see the Queen"
In moment, we accompany puss on q
long, adventurous journey, until she stands
in that august presence where all the
lords and ladies of the land do homage.
And is puss abashed in the presence of
royaltya No, indeed! Mid all the pomp
and splendor of court, she remained un-
moved, until at last, with wild thrill Of
JOY, she 'saw little mouse meath the
Queens chair And here we see a
striking characteristic of the cat brought
out; thus beautifully combining the
truths Of Natural History with amuse-
ment. Indeed, this author never writes
anything which is not designed to illus
trate some great truth; as, c. g., the sto-
ry of the House that Jack built and
Of the Woman that could MT get home
until morning. teach the young mind to
trace out the relation of cause and effect.
The world renowned history of Jack Sprat
forcibly illustrates the beauty of sweet
concord in the connubial relation. But
space forbids us to give moro examples.
History fails to inform us who was the
author of Mother Goose's Melodies, but
it is of little consequence, for as Shaks-
peare says, whats in name9' Mr..
Shakespeare was an English gentleman
who at one time was quite famous on ac-
count of few dialogues, and other poems
which he wrote. We rather think the
author was man, judging from the
strength, conciseness, and depth of the
language. However, time will not allow
us to say more; we would only add, get
it, and read for yourselves, and you will
be amply rewarded, and while time shall
endure, the fame of the author of Moth
or Goose's Melodies shall remain bright
fixed star in the literary zenith, long after
the names of Shakespeare, Milton, and all
those lesser poets shall have been hidden
in the oblivion Of the past"
re- Mr.. James Bogardus, the inven-
tor of iron buildings, has obtained from a
warehousiug company in Havana, Cuba
| -, ,,,,v,apoo iron ci ruaffIro