The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-02
THE CRITICS COLUMN.
DEVOTED TO COMMENT UP0y RE.
CENT PUBLICATIONS..
Ito Recent Edition Of Father Tabbs
Pee ry-southern Literary Messea-
eer-Literary Notes

If, as II Is clalnlcu' -
our fashions from France ana our
literary opinions from London, then
is Mr. Tabb most fortunate. IN Sc
curing tho august approval OF the iat.
ter metropolis for this second edition OF
his latest poems. Letters recently re-
ce,ved quote William Watson and otner
poets as agreeing that no such arustc
work has ever before been done on ,nis
side OF the Atlantic and even the fastui-
Gus Spectator has deigned 10 give MN
place as an American poet OF delicate
discrimination" and accorded 10 hlm INC
holy nativity OF Boston
Rut Mr. Tahb Is from the county OF
Amelia. State OF Virginia, and the vol
ume which has attained such Distinguish
Oh norlce IL a modest little book, quietly
quaint I'm arrangement with the fewest
OF lines set az the head Of a blank page
and seems in every way 10 avoid rather
than seek an impression upon the read
ing public. Still II has sought the eye
OF another London authority. the Satur-
dav Review. which also recognizes MT
Tshb. With commentator, and creoits
America with already producing poet
and a halr'-Edgar Poe and Walt. Nhlt-
man-from which Il would seem mat
the old Dominion. arbitrarily uehlea ~.
pleasure OF supplying Presidents. IS sun
furnishing poets 10 the United states.
thus another poet has come and very
rare and original work Is here. compress
ed into the smallest possible space, hnisn-
cd with the accuracy Of gem ana the
delicacv of wildwood flower.
Itr wonderful art lies in the apparent
case with Which the faintest shade OF
emotion. the sLltlest flsht OF fancy Is
caught and prisoned within the narrowest
bounds. In this. his chosen mode OF eN-
nression. NJ. Tabb stands without
reer. and n he has not founded a new
school at least le has struck a new note,
destined 10 long vibrate. 4 distinct note
and vet In accord with the tendencies or
our present poetry. which. the spectator
afirms. are toward "the poetry cf shad-
ing. and OF the differences between which
lttls notice has been taken till they were
detected by the fine ssrsitiFeness OF an
-sgc which had learned to distinguish he-
tween one feeling and another closely al
lied 20 g." The same may be SAID or an
the arts painting. music. as wen as
poetry-al drift toward the love-lisnt.
les nuances."
II is here that Mr. Tahb resembles shell
lev. but only I'm direction OF thought.
while the expression IS so wholly diner-
Ont that there can be no comparison on
value I'm effects I'm one the thought IL
subtly caught within the briefest boun-
daries OF verse; I'm the other the idea u
ampihed with richest afiluence or versi-
hcation. Compare the skylark. with lis
wealth Of melody and images, ana TINS
one wonderful note suggesting all thot
Shelley has expressed.
He rose. and singing passed from sight.
\ shadow kindling with the sun;
His JOY ccstatc plumed. I'LL light
And heavenly song were one.
Each is a master-nonc else could have
written Loves autograph 10 four lines.
once only did he pass my way
when wilt thou come agaln2
An. leave some token Of thy stay"
He wrote and vanished Pain
II is thus that he sings Of children:
"Old Sorrow I shall meet again.
And JOY perchance. but never. never.
Happy childhood shall In train
See each others face forever"
and yet would not call the back.
Dear Childhood. lest the sight Of me-
Their old companion, on the rack
OF age. should sadden even thee"
! There IS a classic finish In The lines
20 an OH wassail-cup worthy or the golden
Roman days. and these limitations touch
the dreamy half-tones of modern fancy
ana dHHtlloN
Il know the flowers had dreamed of you.
And hailed the morning with regret.
For all their faces with the dew
OF vanished JOY We're wet
II know the winds had passed your way.
Though not "A sound the truth betrayed,
About their pinions all the day.
A summer fragrance stayed
To Gull the best Of Mr.. Tabb. one must
20 through his work. Let us hope he
has not failed 10 md many who will APP
preclate what the Spectator calls "the at
tempt 10 make audible some half-tone OF
perception or thought or feeling too fine
for the attention and discrimination OK
ordinary men. ID. II. IA.
For sale by West. Johnston & co.
IL.
The first number OF the new
series OF the Southern Literary
Messenger has been received. The maya
zine Is published In Washington. ID. g..
and is owned and edited by a Nirginan-
Mrs. A. Trueheart Buck. It's table ~
contents embraces variety Of subjects.
including a synopsis OF tho old Messcn-
ger. which was discontinued In 1864.