New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-09
NEW PUBLICATIONS
MRS KINNEY'S POEMS.

POEMS b. EnABErHC KISNEI ovO pp 226 lud houghtoa
The yOetical associations which gather round "a
pleaYnt residence in lands of song and story strike
the keynote to the contents of this volume. Apart
tom the selection of its themes a large proportion
Of which have been suggested by the study of art
and the enjoyment of nature in the most favored
scenes of the Old World the general tone OF Thought
and of illustration bear the prominent impress
of European culture and discipline. rich store OF
materials has thus been furnished to the writer VINO
has nodded them into shapely and often Impressive
forms, wrought cut in almost all cases, win eiaoor
ate care showing strong of artistic express
sion but perhaps less decidedly marked by Original
ity of conception or grace of movement. Inc lndl-
cations of an Grant fancy less prOtuse than In
come former productions OF the author, ana we ma
in their place. deeper vein Of reflection, softer
aud moro chasened imaginatien, and the traits of an
sxneriepce natured and enriched by the choicest iu
fuences of natural beauty and letteTed refinement
MANY of the poems indeed may be regarded as too
ipeeniouss too curOGsly interviewer with subtletes
of Thought and expression for the highest poetica
effect, and would touch the heart more intensely If
they BETRAYED less consciousness of Hurpose, and
trusted more gTaciOusly to the spontaneous flow Of
natural sentiment and imagery. In point of dction
We find many words of too great length, and fire.
ouent recurrence Of phrases whose lack of simplicity
impaIs their ryihncs1 expression, ald gives GER
tain awkvsard stiffness Reinforcement of the verse
Thus anomaly of earth" the cOmpanionable ses, "
"hberty writhed in mOrtslity's grasp" "onweTd
sailed iITevercntly proud "OblviOus influence,
'reyerberate with h0aTse astOnishnent,' "indura-
ting all the streams" "penneate this hearts steril-
iity" throu gh the conc ntrang glass, with barn
ing potency the sunbeans pass" tones Thought
suggesting lingering in his carp combinations OF
words which no poettcal alchemy can ever make
melodiOus or save from falling like a burden both
on the ear and the fancy There are also too many
instances of whole stanzas parts of stanEas, which
differ only in form from the baldest prose, and e1-
hlbit no quality and furnish suggestion which can
warrant their assumption Of the name OF poetry
An example of this, not more striking than many
others, will Justify our criticism.
Heaven is deJiverance from oOrrup tOus st1nI;
IL il mans primal glory To regain
Fair and eternay To shine
Animsge Of the perfect Bedivinet:
Heaven 5 absence from reFulsiue mine
From uncOngenial fellowship Of earth
10 is association, free, refined
With spirits OF cOequll birth;
Heaven Is exemption from enClInh er1ng care;
It'll IN that suhllluer work 10 share
For which hrici Intervals the spirit found
Mid human us Jan weary round
and SO on through several mortal pages. A MORE
agreeable specimen of versifcatiOn is presented III
the following lines which, though will lOutany traits
of thought that challenge especial II Ote exhibit
comparative simplicity of expression which FORMS
not ungraeful relief to the prevailing erba' asnblt-
BUSINESS OF the volume