The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-03
4ithmond 1ispatth.
TUESDAY. JULY 3, 1866.
TUESDAY


New Books.
! TIE Criterion; Or, The Test Of 1dE
About Familiar Things. By HENRY
T. TrcxERxAS. New York: II R D q
| HoUGH TON.
Mr.. TrckERNAS, the author Of "The
Criterion is one Of the most able ana
logical essayists on this Continent ana II
his works are not more generally read, 1t
is only because, unfortunately, essays, as Q
class are not much in favor even with those
who devote most time to literary and in
tellectual pursuits. The essays in "The
Criterion" are pleasantly and clearly
written, and contain vast variety OF
quaint and interesting information. The
ESSAYS on "Inns" and "Statues" are par
ticularly attractive, and every Journalist
should read the essay on newspapers"
Mr.. TucKERNAy's book is free from cant
and "New Englandisms,' and is one OF
the most useful and instructive works Of the
season.
For sale by A. II. CHRISTIAN s Co.,
Main street.
Shakspeare's Delineat;onS Of Insanity, In-
beciiity, and Suicide. By 40. KELLOGG,
N. D., Assistant Physician State Luna
tic Asylum, Utica, N. Y. New York {:
HrRD l. HouGHToS.
| This is one of the most interesting
volumes in its department of literature
which have appeared for some time. DR..
KELLOGG has indeed made valuable con-
tribution to the critical writings upon
SHAKsPEARE. In no respect is the supreme
intellect of the immortal dramatist more
clearly presented to the world than in the
variety and ability of these commentaries.
So to speak, SHAKESPEARE has created con-
tinent, in which all departments of science,
every branch Of fine arts, find occupation.
They delve after the jewels and precious
metals, and they draw, paint, and sculpture
the grand creations of his genius, and de-
scribe, and narrate, and analyze the beauties
ofthe world he has spread out for the delight
of mankind, and find ever new themes for
their study, new fields for their labors.
DR.. KELLOGG takes up the specially of In
sanity, Imbecility, and Suicide, which he
has had such favorable opportunities ofin-
vestigating, and he finds that the great
author has displayed a knowledge upon that
specially that is wonderful. How did he
obtain it, Was it by study and long ex-
perience with that unfortunate class of
beings whose minds are "diseased and
distorted by rooted sorrows which no de-
| vice of the physician can "pluck out y!
Most assurcdly not. Ii is in this that this
creative power, his genius, displays itself
in its indsputable force and grandeur.
DR.. KELLOGG says that SHAKsrEARE, in
the plcnitudc of his knowledge, has
recognized what none of his critics not
conversant with medical psychology in its
present advanced state seem to have any
conception of-namcly, that there are
cases of melancholic madness, of a delicate
shade, in which the reasoning faculties, the
intellect proper, so far from being over
come or disordcred, may, on the other
hand, be rendered more active and vlgo-
rous, while the will, the moral feelings, the
sentiments, and affections, are the faculties
which seem alone tC struggle from disease.
Such case he has gwen in the character
| of Hamlet with a fidelity to nature which
continues more and more TO excite our
wonder and establishment as our knowledge
of this intricate subject advances.
He has succeeded in exhibiting i'll the
character of Hamlet complete revolu'
ton of all the faculties of the soul by the
overwhelming influence Of the intense
emotions excited in it and whether the
resulting condition of the mind be one OF
health or disease, sanity or insanity, (and
the line of demarcation is by no means
accurately exhibited) the phenomena ex-
hibited are, psychologically considered, OF
the most profound interest. We are con-
WINGED that the change wrought is SO great
that the resulting condition of mind must.
in the present state of our mcdico- -physio.
logical knowledge, be regarded as OF a
pathological character, and that HAMLET,
with LEAR and OPHELlA, must be admitted
into the ranks of that 'noble army of mar
tyrs' to a mind diseased, too many OF
whom, alas! are found in the walks OF
everyday life"
We need 90 no further in our citation
from this intelligent and earnest little
volume. These very characters have often
provoked from the superficial critic the
censure that they were unnatural, and
every way improbable. The keen, pene-
trating eye of genius, with his heart OF
unlimited sympathy, could see that it was
natural, and portray it with a pencil Of
light.
The comments of DR.. KELLOGG upon the
different phases ofinsanity, imbecility, and
suicide in SHAKsPEARE's dramas do him a
great deal Of credit.
For sale by II. P. TOWNSEND, 1902 Main
street.
THE WHEAT CROP IN CENTRAL New