The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-03
Wstsss for IL 81 Pau Roser.1
A Reviewer RevteueA.

W'Ss~ for ~ 81 Ps1 Ross~.1
a Reviewer Reviewed.
We do not know when We have been
more interested than in reading the review
Of Poets and Poetry " which appeared in
the DAILY PIoNxn Of the iSth. The VII
ter, who signs himself /. Gordon REVERE. y
evinoes talent indeed, but not that talent
in our judgment which gives to criticism
lis just weight; for We tsks it that no
reader Of taste and disoenmsnt can Fail
to observe in this review want of ais
elimination and appreciation Of the beau
tiful and the true. We must extend the
courtesy Of accepting our reviewers pro
testations Of impartiality, as vel as his
assurance Of his familiarity with the
writings of Homer, Horace, Dante, Long
fellow, and other great names in the
realms of poetry. But when he informs
his readers that he has Judged the merits
of the poets Of Minnesota grouped in Ma.
Arnoldb book BY these standards. ve must
be permitted to put in a demurrer. vet
with as much good-nature and patience as
the nature of the case win permit ~ %
Judged BY such standards, what be-
comes Of such lines as these, which he in
PRODUCES as evidence Of high poetical ex-
cellencef They are from Nj. ,Yardleys
writing: y g 80 5 i''.. 20 '..'..'' e.
Slowly the smoke column shape assuming,
creeps upward though the cleaning. to tie
And the fair shafts, all pearied, illuming, 30
The vaulted architraVes, stand slOriossly. orrn
Call you this poetry1 Or q sound Of
words meaning nothing9 If 1t does not
belong to that class of poetry which We
are told neither men nor gods approve,
We should lkeyto know what does. Gan
; Gordon REVERE tell usr, so ..-G
}WeodwMR do Mr.. Ysrdly the justice,
however, to say, that our self-complacent
reviewer has selected the least meritorious
stanzas of his entire contributions, and
that several of his poems possess real
merit. aG .1e'oI - Y~'-7I9 0f7 .971
He has done injustice to every writer.
in Mrs. Arnold's book, as well those whom
he praises, as those he condemns. Gw 2f-
We will not stop here. Nor do we ask
the reader to take our Judgment We will
not use any weapons Of our own, but
those which ''GordOn REVERE has himself
given Us. Read the following lines and
say what you think of them? sr Ha
"Baby, still call the baby,
Baby, set adrift 50 soon, It
Pushed right ont into the daylight &c.
Mr.. "Gordon REVERE" tells us gravely
that the four stanzas of which the above
is fair sample sis as fine qe,n as can
be found in the language" Do you see
anything approximating to the charming
cadences of Longfellow, or the measured
lines of Pope-thoee masters our erudite
critic processes 30 much to admire?
But this will do. These are they whom
according to "Gordon REVERE " the Nine
have favored with precious incense. No
others in Mrs. Arnold's work are worthy
Of special mention, according to his pocu-
liar standard. How widely we differ! but |
We cheerfnlly submit this difference to the |
Judgment of the intelligent reader.
According to our Judgment the
poems OF Minnie Mary Lee-Mrs. Wood
whom our critic passes with scarcely |
single paragraph are with q single !
exception, the very best in the book.
Poetry is the language of the heart, |
gushing over with deep feeling whether of |
Joy or sadness 1t is an inspiration which |
comes not at ones bidding, but comes
when the soul is full and must give utter
ance. If this rule be q correct one, Mrs.
Wood judged by it, takes first rank
among our western writer's.
W. v,o.1~ <lo lollous.- xnl.z
=" Bertha to her Cild," as beautiful not
only for the truth and deep feeling express
ed, but for harmony of versi6cation and
elegance Of diction.
Alas have learned the heart can bear
How much of grief how much Of care;
Can bear, and still the world not know
bow hard it throbs beneath its woe,
So in short piece entitled "Some-
times, " true feeling is combined with
chastened and cultivated imagination. The
fourth and last verses we copy:
Oh, loving voice, and form, and hand
Oh, vision from the shadowy land!
Sometime, DER the silent sea-
God shall wait me unto thee.
In sweet pastures ever vernal
Meath soft skies that are eternal,
He win give me back to me
Child of my idolatry.
Weary, hoping or repining.
Comes this light through darkness shining,
How rough Score the hither tide,
She's safely on the other side. 81.
There is q sweet flow and tremulous |
beauty in these lines seldom surpassed, and |
can only be properly appreciated by read
ing the entire poem. ~. ...... |
: "Her Birthday" is full of poetic beauty |
and purity. -
Our reviewer, however, who processes q |
love for true poetry, sees nothing in this |
ladys writing particularly meritorious. E"
We had intended referring to others, but |
space will not admit We close by re-
minding ''6ord0n REVERE that reviewers
as well as poets need often to be admon-
ished of their "errors and shortcomings {"
and that have devoted this hour to re-.