Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-01-30

JournaD us from a very distinguished PEN"
1t is a pen which has made its mark upon
the world of letters, even amid the alien
crossing excitement Of a political tumult; !
WOMEN OF THE SOUTH DISTINGUISHED IN
LITERATURE" EDITED BY MARY FOREST,
PUBLISHED BY DERBY & JACKSON, E
ORR
"A thing of beauty is ajoy forever"
A splendid book lies before me, in which
both publisher and editor have put forth un-
wonted taste, skill and energy in which
richness of external effect vies with intrinsic
worth and elegance of literary execution, or,
rather combines with these, so as to form an
artistic whole, and thus attract and enchain
both eye and intellect.
In this rare volume the hand of genius
has gathered together, as in a select herba-
rum, many flowers of Southern literature,
and SO embalmed them in its pages that they
may be preserved in all their genial fresh
ness of coloring, even should the plants from
which they have been severed, be swept
away before the shifting gales of popular
opinion.
A novel, or romance, in most instances,
quietly passes out of sight after having full
filled its destiny, THAT Of being enjoyed for
n season. however able or admirable its style
and delineations may be. A book Of poems
soon drops from tho public eye and memory
: in these times, however worthy to be re-
membered-in detail. Such is the penalty
that individual fame must pay to the atfiuent
. literature of the day. Work succeeds work,
r as one wave follows another-each dancing
;, for a while in the sunlight of appreciation
) each doomed in the end to break on the
shores of Oblivion or at least this figure
: holds with most of the creations of art anC
fancy of the present times, if indeed it ht
e not many graver efforts.
NJ 1t is the province Of books like this befor
us to enshrine and perpetuate what els
might too soon be lost and scattered. An
. the thinking mind must regard such a vol
" ume, not as the mere e~ff1uence of a publish
ID er's gorgeous whim, or an editors fastldlou
- prcferences-no as a mere holiday bubble
blown to be admired and then dispersed, liz
"a the old unmeaning "Annuals" we all r
an member. but as a cabinet Of solid workman
er ship, containing choice specimens of gen
l. and coins, that else might have wanted al
preciators and collectors.
10 Nothing could be better calculated to a
sjstO Ibis idea ri eegpaaan e Than the sspe
10 OF its paper, and the distinctness of tie ~
each and all such earnest ecommendatio
ea to the connoiseur of bookcraft and the ama
his ser oil literary treasures.
be AND here 1T would give me pleasure In
y into a minute examination of the litcra,
70 merits OF the compendious work-and nc
or tray, by examples-the spirit and grace fl
pervade the whole, from the preface to Il
concluding lines, as well as exemplify II
PECULIARLY brilliant and sparkling STYLE of Il
editor, which breaks forth here, and tber
en- from the heavier weight of supplied matte
as tne sun puts aside his veil of autum
" Clouds, lending to the whole SURPRISING y
le- riety and vitality. '
he But for such analysis, there is Meth
av time nor space, and perhaps, after all IN
- part OF a critics task is but a work of sune
erogatlon IN this age of enlightened reader
W IL Is not unworthy of remark. nor vet
the th fIfn4ttfIhRg t Ia dptF & Stajs arg if4een tthpadt SIX
- place in this gallery of Southern art, q
ny named Kentuckians-and that the 'cou
is terfeit presentiment' of one of these is t
en-. chief establishment of its pretoria, depa
ment.
- The pictures, seven in number, are authe
the tic, which all that love the truth for it's on
sake, must recognize as the most deSirat
LIT. point in any portrait-and have been iu
Of clously selected so as to form a pleasing
:" riety as to age, style and expression. T
englavings, too, aer thought by compete
IJu0SSo W UC CACGllCDb.
der think | have said enough to prove IL
tod this work is a credit to it's publishers and
itor, as well as its subjects. Our Southe
OF gems have met with a magnificent, setti
of from Northern hands--nor is this the LEI
ar. striking and Interesting feature of the pull
cation.
This volume is q significant courtesy
ISL these times of cavil and dissensions
uns ovation, offered to the genius of the Sou
the by gifted, and liberal and discriminate
lac. spirits that have their unprecedented sph
in that region of :" frost and snow" W
a with which we are but too prone to conn
be- a cold and tardy recognition of Southern p
negatives.
80 AS in the exquisite story of Z" Und:ne,'
hand of the sea-dweller is said to h
ew, emerged from the waves, offering Grim
corals to assuage the rcpining spirit of
led. dissatisfied Bertha, who foated in the /
above him so it seems to me, there reac
up out of the stormy sea of faction an. e.
est, sympathetic hand, bearing this pc,
ady offering 90 Southern intellect, as an carr
NAL of what is yet to come.
c. Let the South recognize the courtese,
the only practical way, by making this
aloi ume a widespread household treasure.