Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-07-31
THE RICHMOND WHIG.
SOUTHERN LITERATURE NO. II.

sOUfdEhN LlTEhAIUhk NJ. IL.
BYc. A.. CIV.
Ills gratifying to observe, 10 the midst of The eIisn
conflict the stesdness and success with which one Of
Oldest sbles and most deservedly influential Souther
periodicals continues to utter truths appropriate to II
time. During the last SIX months, as for 50 many pre-,
Gus years. the Southern Literary Kssstngsr" has spoke
out with unfasrng accents, and in tones Of animation
It's pages have presented In articles from VI
rous pens among the first Of which those OF its Ed
itor most powerful array Of argument in behalf Of on
national cause Questions and issues arising from an
around the main consideration viewed with lucid per
cspton, and Judgments upon them expressed with DON
vnong force, BY pubicsts of mature experience Will
the sentiments and emotions inspired BY arduous bu
proud position, find Oopous Illustration under forms o
imaginative art In the same literary vehicle of thought
With the July number Of the "Kesssngsr," is com
nenced is SSd volume. The first article consists Of h.
opening chapters Of political novel, BY VIM. n. Bur
WE'LL OF Liberty, Va To that extensive public who have
long known the sShor political philosopher, equally
profound 10 reflection digent in research and cogcnt
argument who have heard his voice in council or in the
Conversation Of private intercourse the announcement,
Of bis name will excite assured antcipatons of instrue.
tive enjoyment in the perusal Of his work.
M. Burwe has filed with ability several editorial
chairs OF wide influence and while serving his country
times as journalist aud upon OCCASION in official ca.
acities legislative administrative has frequently ap.
eared as writer upon subjects OF State and general
Southern policy, and upon commercial statistics as tho
bais Of comprehensive schemes in favor Of industrial
interests. The February number Of "DsBow's Revisr
for Ibis year. contains admirable article from his pen
in advocacy Of great system Of transportation designed
to connect the lower part Of Chesapeake Bay with the
Southern waters Of the Mississippi but in the novel now
presented he has rst adopted the agency Of fictitious
narrative q medium for communicating tho results Of
his mental activity. In day find that sooner or
later almos every who has something make heard
s induced TO avail himself Of this peculiar and agreeable
means Of addressing audience larger though not less
Intelligent than be composed of those who feel suf
lsient interest In Affairs To study them under the form Of
set trcasises that tie most serious and important
topics udciousy made the themes Of professed
poVes by authors Of the gravest character While in
ielect and imagination wers regarded antago,iscor
at least incompatible in exercise the productions Of
he former It soid were dull and those Of the hitter II
,uxurisnt, were frivolous but our generation las wit
messed their felcous reunion In literature and enjoys
tne dement, OF tneir combined eI5rtl0n.
The first chapter Of Mr.. BURwKLL's "Eyi,e and En-.
pre depicts au interview between two Engisi brothers.
occurring shortly after the Restoration Of Charles IT,
Doc, Republican, bad served under Cromwell, whose
insegry of character he sndesyors TO indicate. or
rather asserts hs own conviction thereof this brother
and his infant SOD, leaving their royals relations in pos
session OF their ancient patrmony sc presented ss self
sxsd in consequence Of the pepd laws against dssent
from the Established church Of III gland.
In the second chapter We witness the dying suerings
and prayers Of young Seotoh maron, who with her
husband and child undergoing transportation the
Plantations, under the cruelty enforced laws Of the
suarts Intended to compel conformity in Scotland to the
herarchica organization The death scene ia deneated
With rare power and pahos. The remains Of the VIC
tim OF persecution being committed the Deep cher
husband brave true and piods man. loyal to his coun
uy-fa,hful to his God, passed OLA convict and |
rebel" |
The third chapter descrbss the departure fum Nor
mandy OF French noblsmsn. whose Huguenot faith |
had subjected him tho penalties of exile, with the ad
iiional papg inflicted by the peraiious dcspOt Louis
iIv. of forced and perpetual separation FROM his chill
irn.
These three scenes Of Exile Introductory to the
~
of our Revolutionary agitation in Virginia Its hero,
IOWA student at the college of William and Mary, ss
doscendent Of the Engshman Of first chapter, and
Of the Fre6ohman of the third We find him an srdOnt
Supporter Of the colonial claims for civil liberty and pop
plr Government, in accordance with bis hereditary ~
scoiaons The scenes in which he sppsars 10 contact
with bis college companions and in tn sopev OF tue
Provincial Court at Williamsbu, are drawn In lively
and picturesque style. In tie representatives both Of
roya,m and of patriotism introduced there marked
individuality Of characlf. The sixth chapter closes with
. monetary appsdtiou Of Thomas Jefferson. And
b,re We avail. the continuation Of the tale in the August
number of the Hsssngsr convinced that whoever may
read \, ne chapters will share eigernGs to resume
the nAtatve
The scoad prose article Of the present number en-
titled ",ar TRUE QaRsIIos !" which the writer states to
10 catest for supremacy between Northern SaIons
aud Sausern Normans Without entering into dik'
cussiou his views as to the origin Of our troubles, we
can safely commend his essay as fePlste With sound
thought ar cradle argument upon the true merits
of the s1,hg controversy He does no. waste his time,
nor e1hauf our patience by repeating familiar vind'ca-
tons of hesou,hern position but calls attention, with
earnest ,ppe that ought to be effective to the rapidly
Rang questn Oh opI iHlqfe. ~ SPAWN, HoN''
seneous peole united bJ nature and consolidated By
history, We ha,e before US considerations Of future in
definitely remote but dependent for its course of devs-
opment upoi the immediate action Of this generetoa,
for ourselves sAs Cor tae pssterty In our oins. Tbs
able writer Of the aroIe mentioned has connected our
present with past in order to urge the logical
quence of events that SHOULD DOW DO controlled By our
foresight and energy. Arms a. necessary their bril-
,ncy is dazzling, their bearers are ourselves breth
rem, sons, and not least our fellow clissnsour COM
rsdes In peace and But war Is TRANSIENT condi
,on, vased by for the establishment OF peace in
which alone can civilization effectively advance Tbere-
fore according to the advice Of this patriots writer it
our duty TO think and utter deliberate dto'ess Of SELL
government We have much political work before US,
even in tho present year. The Provisional Government
Of the Confederaoy is to expire by lmsiicS spa Isr
manent organisation ,rust 90 prepared. rhs statesman
must labor 10 the closet equally with the soldier in the
field.
-. oo"t'""sd]
snRTHERN CONGRESS,
iU ....,.o-ov InIy