The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-09

DIR. Holmes, whom we always thought was
favorte in England, is revie we'd in the last
number of the Reader in way to make his
admirers in this country open their eyes:-
mir Holmes, the wcll-known author of The
Autocrat OF the Breakfast Table, has collected
together number OF short pieces, most of
which we believe had previously seen the light,
and has published them In a little volume by
themselves, calling them Humorous Poems.'
We do not think, setting the question of pecu-
mary compensation aside, that he has been
well advised in this course. Mr.. HOlmes is
undoubtedly possessed of considerable humor,
but we question whether it displays itself to the
best advantage in metricaI form; and pieces
which we're good enough to pass safely the
friendly criticism Of friendly audience, or to
relieve other matter of a different kind, show a
very different front when viewed with inpar-
tal eyes, and Judged solely on their isolated
merits. The author would have done well to
consider his own lines, for
mature sometimes makes one up
OF such sad odGs au0 ends,
1t really might lie quite as well
HuShed up among ones friends"
eve have already said that it is impossible to
assign a reason to1 our adverse opinion in such
a matter as this. The divine fire is wanting. We
know thus much, for we are where it processes
to be, and We feel no genial warmth"
The critic then becomes little inconsistent
expressing his surprise at what the author
fancies to be fun, what the publisher takes for
it, and what the public give for it, admitting
however, that some pieces in the volume are
calculated to make the dullest grow fat, yet de-
clarng in the same breath that none of the
poems rise above mediocrity, and some fall very
far below it. He quotes stanza from one of
the best known of DR.. Holiness poems:-
"len days and nights with sleepess eye,
watched that wretchod man;
And since never dare to write
AS funny as can"
And adds:-
the start rave the reader world OF trouble But
the ayOwal IS better late than never We feel that
at any raie the authors heart Is in the right ace.
We cannot but think however,, That he has com
mi ted tire not unnatur i mistake OF running into
the opposite extreme, for after reading hes5 pieces
we continue well but weary"
The same number Of the Reader is very COM
plimentary to Mr.. Bayard Taylor,
"With tastes and pursuits kindred to those of
v ashinPton Irving and Nathaniel haw horne, and
with the strong love OF the natural beau les OF
his native country which gives fascination to the
pages of Jan es FenimOre Cooper MIR Bayard lay
lor here furnishes US Wlh a picture OF slmpe, un-
strained, matter-ot fact, ever day lie, acod
among the beautiful hills and charming valleys
round about his own country home, with
every feature OF WAlch he claims tAe taml-
! liarlty of old acquaintance, and which ne,
from the beginning TO the end of the book
makes the common property OF the reader with him.
self The traditions and habits OF the people among
whom the grea er part of ms life has been passed,
tine rustic dwell ers, and the legends OF the country,
in themselves but no nespun materia 8 TO- work oil
ficuon, in his hands have all the charm OF novelty
school of which Mr. Taylor is an advanced pupil
invested tine everyday life of the family OF the Prim
roses, TILL IN their way, The story of Kenneth and
| III Vicar OF Wakefield NAV be regarded as true
! pictures OF the smp manners and customs of rura
| England and America at the date III which the
action of either tale is placed"