The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-07
LITERATURE.
REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS.

Now YORK.
Some year or so ago. we had occasion to give
eur estimate of Mr.. Swnburne's talent as poet,
In our review of his tragedy of Ohasteldrd. AT
that time, after q careful examination of hisg
genius as eyiuced by his book, we formed so low
an estimate of his ability as to deem him an
utterly oyer-estimated young man., The book be-
fore us, while It has lowered him in our opinion,
m one respect has caused us to retract our judg-
nent of his power; and we are now frank to
acknowledge that whatever we may see to con-
demn in the work, we give its author full credit
SoT ability. Many of the poems are full OF
sre and with but three or four exceptions
worthy of particular notice, rich in thought
and diction. Why the collection should be en-.
titled "Laus Yeneris" is to lis unknown. The
verses from which il derives its title are not so
prominent either for theme or length, as TO war
rant euch distinction In their favor. Some
comprehensive name which would have
revealed at once the tone of the productions
would have been much more appropriate, as, tor
instance Passion Belvidere," or some such in
dicatve title. As Mr.. Swlnburne has achieved
8 widespread reputation 10 England for the pos
session of poetic talents of the highest order, we
shall devote considerable space to the examina-
ton of his latest work.
As guide for us in the formation Of our
Judgment, Mr. Carleton has kindly enclosed in
his copy sent us an extract from the London
Examiner, which assures Us that there is a
music of strength in these poems, outspoken
honesty, sturdy love of freedom, earnestness,
poetic insight truth, and beauty of expression
beyond anything attained to by other of the
young poets of the day. In some OF
the poems are the passions of youth fearlessly
expressed, and stirring depths that have been
stirred hitherto by no poet in his youth.
He is young poet with sterling qualities, and
the outcry that has been made over his volume
l. not very creditable 10 bis critics. 1t
is the ferment OF good wine, and we must think
they are no skilled judges of the wine of thought
who shake their beads over it,"
Even at the risk of being deemed mo skilled
Judges of the wine of thought" we must be
found among those who "shoke their heads
over it," But week since we we're called upon
10 pronounce our severest censure on an i'm
moral novel, Griffith Gaunt." We deemed it
not fitted for any household We deprecated
the increasing number OF works OF fiction of the
class 10 which it belongs, and hoped that we
would not soon again have occasion to express
as much disgust at a so-called standard work.
Our wish has not been realized. If Griffith
Gaunt" was immoral in the comparative degree,
"Laus Veneris" is so in the superlative. We have
seldom come across, even IN the works tabooed
in all decent society, any one in which the 6g.
Leaf of decency was more recklessly cast aside,
and lust, in all its nudity, exposed and gloried
over. Again and again, in the perusal of the
book, have we had occasion to close its pages,
and pause in perfect surprise over the glaring
immortality displayed. The London Examiner
may call the style "a fearless expression of the
passions of youth" and talk about STIRRING the
depths" and all such journalistic metaphors.
We give il a good Saxon criticism, and say
plainly that the tone of the great majority of the
poems Is lewd and utterly disgusting. 1t is time
that such works should cease to be palmed off on
the public under the names Of authors of good re-
pute, and with the imprint of respectable
publishers on their ti,le-pages. We sometimes
feel the need Of a censorship when we see the
freedom of the press prostituted in pandering TO
the worst passions, and the debauching of purity
under the disguise of stirring hidden depths
Mr.. swinburne has written poems whic1 no
pure-minded man could write; and as 10 Mr..
Carleton, we will speak OF him anon.
With the exception OF some four pieces on
miscellaneous subjects, the contents OF "Laus
Veneris" divide themselves into poems in which
the seasons are depicted as in love with each
other, and poems IN which laments are uttered
over dead lovers. Through all of the work a
spirit OF coHrtesan immortality abounds, and the
opposition to pure conjugal affection pervades
the entire book. We are again and again
assured that there lis one sin worth SINH ~
and all are advised to attack innocence, and
innocence urged to yield to the opportunities o
vice Some works depict deeds of sin, and by
making their authors end wretched lives, eel
20 excuse the work on the plea of its IL oral
But no such palliation is attempted by Mr.
Swinburne. We are urged to sin because it il
pleasant, and assured that when we kiss it
Sin ceases to be SIM" This may be very wei
for the nature of French morality, where .
marriage de cORUendnoe is no bond at all in tht
eyes OF either contracting party but it does no
euit our puritanicsl notions. Hence, whil
"Laus Veneris" may be popular in 'sunn,
France" it will excite only disgust in mora
America.
We will let our readers Judge OF the book TO
themselves. We will take at random any piec
which first falls under our eye. We open tn
hook at page l69, and these arc the three verse
we find on that page:-
"Ab, one thing worth beginning.
One thread in life worth spinning.
An sweet, one sin worth SHINING
With all the whole souls viii;
To lul you till one slilled you,
To kiss you till one killed you,
To feed You till one filled you,
Sweet lips, if love could nil;
ITO hunt sweet Love and lose him
Rat Ntuhi to aNunu