Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-26

blank verse; one narrative poem, "a Story
of Long Ago." written in Spencerian verse,
which is said to be the most difficult method
of versiEcalion; another narrative poem,
"Laura," is written in heroic verse. Then fol-
lows various miscellaneous poems in different
| styles. Altogether the book contains 29T
pages. The first piece in it and the fret COM
posed is elmer; tragedy" The scene is
laid in Spain, toward the close OF the fifteenth
century. The plot is well conceived and the
| author handles his characters well. In parts
of this drama there are specimens of fine
writing, and reading it one can scarcely con-
ceive that it is the product of boy only
fourteen years of age. The way in which
the character "Angelo" describes his re-
morse in the tragedy "Claribel" is especially
| worthy of attention. So wildly does he draw
the picture of his own despair that the man
seems TO be before ones very eyes speaking.
This il evidently the authors favorite, az the
book is entitled CIaribel and Other Poems.
The coDposition-as story of "Loug Ago." de-
serves special notice. As stated above,
it ia written in Spencerian verse. The
scene is laid in England, some 700 years
ago, when people there firmly believed in
witches, sorcerers, fairies, charms and spells,
and the author freely draws upon his imsg-
ination and fairly fills the scene with these
imaginary beings. Some of the descriptions
of the abode of the fairy queen IL the
heavens, and of the home of the gnomes be-
peath the earth. as well as the castle and /
garden of the sorcerers, are exceedingly well |
drawn. Upon the whole it is quite unique |
and entertaining. Among the miscellaneous |
poems, "One Summer" "The Coming OF |
April" and "Tribute TO Shelley" are es-
pecislly noticeable. Some of the others are
not 80 good. The author has had meager edu-
cational advantages, but has been an untiring
student at his home upon his farm.
Presently he deserves the encouragement of
the public, and we are glad TO know that
already large plumber of his books have
been sold by subscription. Every one should
raised among US, struggling with adverse cir
and who may yet attain distinc-
ton. Yet we believe be has made the great
mistake of rushing into print just fifteen
years toe soon-a mistake which he will
always regret. Poets are not like the bruised
flower, that gives out the sweetest fragrance,
and our young friend will weary OF the nip
ping frosts of criticism which he invokes
His verses are of very unequal merit, and
hey offer strange contrasts; some are sweet
With genuine poetry; some are gentle in
sentiment, refined and even dainty in express :
ion, and others are crude and rugged. But
Ifter careful reading of the entire volume {
We express the candid opinion that Walter
dalone has many beautiful gifts and ,
enius of the highest order. 1t is plain !
0 be seen that in due course of time his v
eautiful thoughts will swing themselves !
nto melody, Jared by no discord. He has =
rich Imagination, subtle sense of the +
and great originality of thought. t
here is much in his book equal to the eff
'rts OF Pope at the same age, and be shows p
lie precocity of Shelley, of whom he sings
} beautifully. He lacks nothing that he
lght to have TO enable him to achieve d
me. If his maturer years be equal to =
e promises of his boyhood, he will become !
bright particular star in the literary fir. I
Smanf | a