The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-14
Written for the Pioneer and Democrat.
PRAIRIE PAPERS.
NUMBER TWO.

NUMBER TWO.
Times have changed since johnson and
Chester6eld-else we should not have that
autograph letter from Earl st. German
acknowledging the "Maroon velvet bound
novel" presented to H. R. H. The poet
Rogers published such an expensive edi-
tion of bis works, that it might have ru-
ined him, had he not "known bank" The
magnficence of this velvet book is some-
what extraordinary, and makes US fear a
temporary secession" of its author from
the guild of literature or at least an in
denture Of her services for term of years,
after the manner of Goldsmith.
Our women cannot complain of being
slighted. From the Pope and Dorothea
Dix, to the Prince and Mrs. Martha Hanes
Butt, the reception is the same-kind and
encouraging-their claims are conceded, and
their positions strengthened by such august
amenity. 10 those who judge by results,
pecuniary and laudatory, this book was just
the one to represent our female literature,
because it "pays" best, and is petted by
the critics. Moreover it will give partial
idea of the ruling axiom of our women now
elists-that passion is destiny" and moth
ing short of it. The deep wrongs, the high
and passionate resolves, the utter unspeaka-
ble misery, the wild and desperate love of
women, are the universal themes of heart
rending elaboration; while rage, hate, scorn,
irony, and all the blacker shades of feeling,
are likewise portrayed with a Flemish mi
nuteness Of detail-enough to give one me-
grims and shivers.
1t is we'll to see Charlotte Cushman as
Meg Merrilles, and Matilda Heron as CAM
lille, two or three times but, if these were
their only roles, patience o'er tasked would
soon give way" Immense talent has its
limits, and we must have variety. Some
one must play or live Cordelia, Imogen,
and Hermione, to invest the main incidents
of lite with vital power and significance.
What then shall we say of works of fiction?
which rarely ever give US the light of hu-
man nature, but everlastingly its darkness,
without any mitigation-save, perchance,
that which may be derived from the usually
impossible moral contrast. The extremes
OF atrocious vice and supra mortal virtue
are not made subservient to humanity in
teaching any lesson, and the wickedness
seems to be depicted only to show artistic
power in the doing. Domestic scenes, soft
affections, fresh virtues, and pure joys, are
vapid, common place subjects nowadays,
for there is very little about them in Ameri.
can novels. NO one seems to have any
ambition in that line, or cares to satisfy
tine sympathies of large class of readers,
who would gladly proclaim their apprecia-
ton of such skill.
81. K. H. took two books to Eng
land-a Ritual and Romance; but the
one does not represent the religion of
America, nor the other the best writing Of
its women. The novel was, in my belief,
an unIucky presentation to the Prince, of
all men for bis realm has given the noblest
array of intellectual women, whose names
will ever rest gratefully in the worlds
memory. If the Wordsworthian thesis be
granted, that instruction, in its varied
range, should be the aim of the human
intellect, then how much do we not owe to
those "sweet English hands," For mind,
imagination, and taste, for nerve, dignity,
and finish, what women are comparable to
Elizabeth Barrett Brewing, jeanne Bailie,
Mrs. Tighe, Mrs. Norton, Charlotte Bronte,
Mary Russell Milford, Lady Georgiana
Fullerton, Miss Edgeworth, Mrs. Jameson,
and so many others? They have not writ
ten to sickly sensibilities, but to reason,
conscience, and mind; in wold, for the
exaltation of human life. .........
When we turn from these benefactors to
our own eau sucre literature, what woman
of true perceptions in America, would wish
it to be the guage of ability, however pop
ular the standard? live we're like the boy
in the story, who had lived in mine, to
whom weeds and thistles were glories, these
books might be priced in the bliss of igno-
rance. But, in . country ofsuch astonishing
intellectual activity as this, with fine oppor-
tunities to describe the peculiarities of the
several parts of the nation, and to write of
the people in the new and original phases
of life with which the country abounds,
there is scarcely any thing published worthy
| of the fresh wholesome soil. 1t is true Mrs.
Stowe, in her late book, has given faithful
delineations of New England manners, true
to the inner and outer life of its people |;
but somehow you always feel that she is
like those violin performers, who play several
airs admirably on one string. Her string
| is slavery the effect is to be educed from
it and her incidents, however graphic, are
all subordinate to it. But then, Mrs. Stowe
has emission )" (most New England
people have) and can no more avoid it than
Jonah did the whale, or vics versa. In that
view, who shall gainsay her privilege to