The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-02-26
THE EHn ECLECTIC.

An Eclectic Magazine should be read with
sympathy for the difficult task of the Editor,
compelled as he Is to cater to so many intel
lectua tastes. He must diversity his selec.
lions by passing IRON grave to gay, from
lively to severe; but in so doing the grave
reader should not tt offended at what he deems
too light and sportive Tor perusal; nor should
the gay gatherer of literary boquets turn away
with impatient disgnst from the substantial
viands which the Elisor spreads for the So
lid men among rs patrons. The Editors of
the Atl0 Eclectic evidently study to diversity
their pages with useful things and things to
please" believing that variety in maya
zine brings the greatest good to the great
est number. They congratulate themselves
chat every article in the issue for March, is
from the pen OF an eminent author This
being true, they capDet be blamed if every ar
ticle is not intrinseealiy interesting or worthy
OF the distinguished writer There are two
little productions for example, in this number
of the Nee Eclectic, bobh Of them unworthy
Of the Poet Laureate, and one VI them scarce
" up to the level OF the philosophic Upper.
II the Editors Of Once Week did pay $500
IN gold, as il Is asserted, for this Lame lyric
Of six verses. "0n a Spiteful Letter, then
we would not be rash in the presumption that
money is rather more plentiful in London than
IN Richmond We would not like to pay SIS
lin greenbaeks, for a colamn of such verses
Listen tc the rhyinthic resignation of the
Laureate in one verse Of his wonderful rejoin-
der to the Spiteful Letter.
Greater than Isn't that your cry?
And shall live to see it,
B'eu il ii be so, so tbs, you kao,o;
And If II be $3.50 be itf'
We think that Farquhar Upper or Francis
Tram could eittTe--of them have done better.
But est We should be thought 70 criticise
the Editors, We leave the poets and turn to the
prose selections The frSs article treats ETH.
cally the ever talked topic Of servants and al
though IS slgggstious refer1E.tber 70 difor-
ypt class q doSssstcs frou our own, they may
be Of use in rbis latitude also.
Miss MULCH has chosen a good field for her
new serial, the first three chapters of which
form the next prose selection in this number.
" The Woman's Kingdom" thus tar is very
carefully written, and shows an improvement
in style since John ualfax" took the read
ing public captive in spite of It's many de-
tects
Anarchy aud Authority, is another of
Mr.. t"Sweetness and Light Arnold's es-
says foD the CoraAW Nogasiae While some
what transcepdental, it is Ineligible, and
makes solae good points, but it lacks the COM
mon sense and manly robustness which marks
Mr.. Frederick Harrison's capital showing up
of this would be founder of a new school of
Philosophy, in the F5vnjghtly ReUieeo.
The Recreatiye use Of Literature, in
geniously argues Tor the truth OF fiction, for
the instruction we get out of amusement, and
for the profit which springs from pleasure
The next article . Phineas Finn, The Irish
Member, by. Anthony Trollope will please
limited class OF readers greatly, though the To-
cal illusions aud the almost technical descrip-
lions Of Parliamentary life may not be appre-
ciated BY those who are not familiar with Lon
don localities, and with English politics.
But probably the article which will attract
more attention than any other in this number
of the Eclectic is the first part of MIR. Glad
stone S review of Eece Homo His line of ar
guu.ent is not at all convincing to US, but it is
so plausible that many viii yield assent with
out much questioning Of the truth Of his posi-
tons
After paper on the " -Esthedc Faculty,
the remainder Of this number Of the Nelo Ec-
lectic is taken up with brief reviews of late
works, with interesting miscellany and with
Editorial notes. The Magazine shows the
greatest diligence ann determination TO please
on the part Of the Editors