The union Democrat., 1869-07-03
The Overland Monthly,

The Overland Monthly.
With the June number, the 0rcrldRd complet-
ed its second volume and first year. Ithas sell
dom fallen to the lot ofa Magazine to be received
so favorably on making its debutin the literary
world. Nor was this favor undeserved. The
high arerageof literary excellence maintained
throughout the first twelve numbers; the de-
vo,ion to the interests of California, and Of
the Pacific Coast, displayed and the peculiar
ly Californian racineSs Of EiGny Of The tales
and sketches made it a welcome visitor where
ever the English language is spoken and a
source of just pride to every intelligent Cali
fornian. Ii spoke volumes to Older commu
mites Of the culture and refinement Of State
not yet twenty years old.
| With pleasant anticipations we took IN the,
July number which begins the third volume,
and after careful perusal laid it down with
feeling of Disappointment. In our ofihion'
it is painfully below the standard of it's pre-
decessoys. Three fthe first four articles, name
": a Ruined State;n "The Cruise Of the
Monadnock;n and "The Man with Hole in
his Head are barely readable. About the
only scrap Of information TO be CLEANED FROM
the first article is that the aathoy is intensely
loyal and howis, even until this day, about the
"enormous and audacious treason" OF thNs
South. We would ask the Editor and Pub
fishers Of the Orerlaaa if the subject OF Urea
SON and the late civil war has not vet been
sufficiently hsrped upon? And, if not, is
there not New York Ti6uaeS, Toledo Blades,
to do this sort of work? Can the OccrlanG
afford to become sectional? Or if il can, is it
fair that it should do so? Why should the
Californian of Southern birth, any more than
his Northern neighbCr, have his sensibilities
wounded in reading his iavorite Magazine?
If this sectional spirit is not nipped in the
bud the Orerldad will ere long be left in a
wofully ruined state.
Probably some apoogist will reply; "The
author of " A Ruined State'' does not display
sectionalism; he merely gives way to an ebu-
lition of national patriotism But this sort
of argument will not do. We contend that
somewhere, in the vast field of periodical lit
erature there should be plat set apart where
the refined and cultivated, could meet on com
mon ground without any having their feel
ings hurt by the intrusion of political, nation
al or religious preiudices. To be success in
the cosmopolitan communities that inhabit
! the Pacific States and Territories maya
zine must cultivate this portion of the field.
| According to our taste, the only really good
articles In this number are, "The California
Gray" very interesting and well written
sketch of sealing and whaling cruise on the
coast of Lower California; "What our Uni
yersty should Teach" which Justly contends
that such branches of learning as are of prac-
teal utility shall take precedence of wha. il
commonly called regular classical educa-
ton Among the Clouds" White Pine
sketch The Last Tie, splendid article
on the connecting of the Central and Union
Pacific Railroads: "A Lady's Trip to la
waii; and Coyote" delightful little, 20
etical gem. "Chinese Funeral Baked Meats ~
although containing much curious information
concerning Chinese funeral ceremonies and
ideas of futurity. is tiresome. The OcerIand
has been deluged with contributions on John
Chinaman in all of which there is same
ness, that is positively oppressive. The edi-
tors literary notices are Sood. But the ar.
ticles of which We have made unlavorabie men
ton, and those of which we have made no
mention, would Indicate that, fo- lack of vir-
gin soil, the editor had worked for this num-
Der, the literary tailings of twelve months
ruu, and that they paid rather poorly. This
criticism, though rather unfavorable, is
prompted only by the most Gisinterested
friendship; we take deep interest in the
welfare of the OccrtdnM and have, as we
think, exercised the prerogative of a friend in
pointing ont the short comings of this number