New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-01
Hancock Literary AssOcia ton.

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; Hancock Literary Associations.
Al che last meeting the claims Of til
modern novel were considered at length b
variety OF speakers. Its history from tn
times of Horace Walpole was taken up b.
the president. DR.. Whitaker. and brough
down TO the present era. The romance. a
exemplied by the author Of the castle o
Otranto" and Mrs. Radcliffe, the novel OF
English life and manners introduced by
Fielding. the historical novel. Of Sir Wal
ter Scott. and the sensational novel of which
Wilkie Collins in England and Mrs. South,
worth in America furnish examples, wer,
passed under review. and their merits ant
dement's considered. OF the novels illus
trating the social life of England Of the
presen: day. DR.. Whitaker paid a high com
pliment. en- PEASANT. 70 those OF Albany de
Fonblanque. Esq.
Professor Foley. the vice president, wal
no: greatly impressed with the utility Of
the novel. !: was kind of writing in
vented. he said. simply 20 kill time. He
quoted with high approva! remark OF
Lord Campbell. tina: the counselor or ad.
yocate should contine himself TO that class OF
reading which ne could turn TO practical
! account next day in court. Sir Walter
Scott. Mr.. Dickens. Mr.. Bulwer. and An.
thony Troilope. had introduced into their
| novels ingenious accounts OF imaginary
trials. which might be read with advantage,
although they could not properly be quoted
before the judges as authority. AS for the
characters introduced into novels. the speei.
mems OF then and women we met with every
day in our ordinary Intercourse. were often
just as extraordinary: arc the landscapes
and scenery presented 70 the eye OF the
curious observer in nature. were more beau.
fitu! and enhancing than any that could be
found in the most highly finished novels.
Judge Whitaker said. that much of the
best literature Of the day was embodied in
novels. 1t was not kind os writing that
WIS 20 be :ndiscrlminstely condemned.
The novels OF Walter Scott were great epics
in prose: transcripts OF past ages and their
history: as worthy OF being studied for
the lessons they ;nculcate. and the varied
and valuable information they :mpar:. as
the HAD of Homer. and more SO than the
Paradise Lost Of Milton. 10 the profes.
sionai man. this kind OF compos;tion-he
spoke from experience-aforded the most
agreeable relief, after a day spent in the
Gialec.icai battles OF the forum. The moral
!ty of Fielding did no, suit the refined ideas
OF the present century. but what we had
gained in cefnemen: was. he feared. greatly
discolorea by hypocrisy. Life itself was
great poem. and events, as they TRANSFERRED
every hour in the arena Of affairs. filled
with competitors. was full Of novelty.
Novels We're only 81 reproduction of the
actual. or OF what strongly yesembled il.
j. w. Overall spoke respectfully OF the
poem and novel, and somewhat in deprecia-
ton of what DISCLAIMERS and stockholders
cal! the eminently practical. There was
something. ne said. that ought 90 be an OBJ
feet OF higher soicitude than the mere accu
mutation of pelf. There were Jewels of the
mind more valuable than those found in the
mines OF Golconda. The dreams Of some
men. highly gifted. whom poetry and the
novel Lave immortal:Zed. had produced
greater effects on the progress OF civiliza-
ton than the calculations of the profound.
est mathematician. Mr.. Overall! was very
eloquent.
DR.. Wake, spoke strongly and earnestly |
in praise o. scie;lce. and its practical apph. |
bu. was not ayevse either to poetry |
Or the novel. They now. he said. constituted I
and iIdis9utabie portions Of our
literature.
Mrs. Whitaker. .he lady presiien: Of the
offered few pegtinen. and
rem chant remarks IN advocacy Of works o:
iction. No person OF taste. nowadays.
,he said. would venture 20 condemn out.
Ugh: the mastery productions Of such
writer's as Scott. Bulwer. Byron. Dickens.
Thackeray. Miss Edgworth and the Misses
Porter. Writers Of the sensational school
were no favor;tes with her.
Mrs. Case. of Baltimore. contributed an
exquisite poem entitled 1.-THE South" pre-.
,edei by some glowing remarks on the
of the Imagination upon the &C.
uai in the history of events. which avail:
ned the mos. enthusiastic responses.
Mrs. DR.. Walker read paper on the
laims of women to equal opportunities of
iucation. occupation and emoiume1t with
he stronger sex. which was listened to
With deep interest, and elected unanimous
pproval.
Miss L. W. maintained that. although. the
eauties of nature were obvious to every |
eholder. yet that the painter, the sculptor.
he musician and the poet performed a
rcat service 20 society by the reproduction
them. Ar: and nature were combined in
II the productions of men OF genius.
Miss I. W. contributed an essay Oh
Thought" which was duly appreciated.
Mrs. Charlotte Smith. editress o. the In.
md Monthly. from Missouri. sracei the
ccasion by her presence. and was evidently
luch interested III the performance
Messrs. Lancaster and Wilson, withou. ..
the main question OF the evening. .
tfered some remarks upon it. which, were !
,ceived with the highest satisfaction.
The tirginius Outrage,
Tne conclusion o: the start.in. opinion O!
.torney General Williams in .ba casa. ~. |