New-York tribune., 1874-05-22
sCRIBNRR. JuSR.

Mr.. Edward Kings paper on " lhe G1eat
South with which this number opens presents gloomy
picture OF the present condition OF South Carolina, shorn
of its ancient glories and rampled under the hoos OF
band of mercenary and rapacious invaders The lands
Of the original have passed into the possession
the who dispose OF the revenues OF the State
The blacks have formed communities by themselves
They have left the country and gone TO town. In 'nc
chief centers of every township, they form an immense
majority. They monopolize everything, and hod inuch
which they cannot use. Some are very Industrious :
others any work; the are satisfied with
a mere living They know little about markets. surplus
crops and the accumulation Of riches They are tools
In the hands OF the corrupt they lack moral
sense; they cumberers OF the SOIL reyeng 10 the
idleness which has taken them by surprise. Mr. King
presents but faint hope OF speedy change Tor the
better There are plenty OF chances for investment In
the State but no capitalist will consider them for
moment so long the present infamous State Govern
ment continues in Office 1T is frightful incubus
which dracs down every earnest who desires to
make an effort at rebound after the collapse caused by
the II is disgrace to our SYSTEM IL is stuhphns
block to the negro an embodied corruption which pub
lie opinion ought to sweep out Of existence-Mr sted-
mans second article on Tennyson specimen Of
criticism at acute and profound, with cordla
appreciation of the gifts of the poet, and a keen
sense of the defects in their exercise 1t discusses
the career of the laureate his appointment TO
Office in 1851 from which many OF his productions bear
the marks of decline. The lode on the Death OF Wei
ngton" Mr. Stedman pronounces labored and built up
of highsoundng lines in which rhetoric is often suos
tuted for Imagination and richness of thought "The
Charge of the Light Brigade though holding place In
literature is inferior the noble strains Of Drayton and
Campbell "Maud" is artificial and insincere conspic
uous for aectatons unworthy Of the author, and with
a decided lack OF constructive beauty. different
verdict is declared of the "Idyls of the klng."
IL is the epic of chivalry, so sklfully wrought
Of high imagnings, faery spells, fantastic legends
and medieval splendOrs. that the whole work.
sufused with the Tennysonian glamour OF
golden mist seems like chronicle illuminated by sanity
hands and often bazes with light like that which
flashed from the holy wizards book when the covers
were unclasped." Mr.. stednan does ample justice to
the perfection of TennysOn supreme master OF the
poetic art. He is the only who rarely mods, and
who always finishes his the extreme. The com
pete and balance of his poetry is conspicuous from
first last 1t exhibits that just combination OF lyrical
elements which makes symphony with no one quality
which predominates But not always broad
enough to with symphonic art We miss the
wild flavor Of unstuded Guinevere wearies OF
Arthur There times when tart apple, crust
of bread bit of wild honey are worth more to us than
all the decacies Of the larder We wish more rugged
outbreaks impetuous dscords; we listen Tor the
sudden irregular tril OF the thcket songster The full
ness Of Tenuysons art evades the charm Of spon-
taneity. How rarely he takes you by surprise! His
stream is sweet, assured strong but how seldom the
abrupt bend, the plunge Of the cataract the hunde;
and the spray! Doubtless he has epthusasms. but all
are held in hand college fe study, restraint comfort
reverence have done their work upon him. He IL wen
broken as we say of acknowledgement and true.
and though he makes few bursts of speed, keeps easily
forward and is to be fret at the stand" OF the
poetry In number Of the most striking pieces is
by Mr.. T. W. HigginsOn, marked by true feelDg eX-
pressed in subiued language.