The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-12-04
SUGGESTION AND PICK-UPS

The London Academy is one of the
:. great literary journals of Great Brit
air 1t says that in this country it is
most astonishing they seem to read
nothing but fiction" Not quite so bad
as that, scattered all around the land
are a few men and women that read
great authors and aspire to generous
culture.
Edgar Poe's fame steadily grows
abroad He is beyond fair question the
IDrest POeticar genius, the most creative
and original that has appeared on this
continent Joseph Jacobs, an English
man-of-letters, writing OIL Anthology"
IN the New York Saturday Review, in
with Poe, that bright peculiar star
or American poetry, we get both forms
and rhythms which are unknown to
any Of his English contemporaries;
but he is the exception that proves
the rule" Longfellow in this particu-
tar regard is typical. He is all echo or
nearly So Why,~by h way did Mr..
Stedman leave out his only perfect
. poem, The Day is Done"
While Poe's genius is, more and
more appreciated in England. Longfel-
lows rank has been lowered.
Stephen Phillips is unquestionably a
young English poet of genius and dra-
matte force. He has written two plays
that indicate power and originality.
His last drama, "Herod." is much
praised in his own country and in our
OWE AS with all new promising writ
eers he is far too much exalted by a
class Of minds that lack ballast and
p~enitration. Some one in the New York
Saturday Review takes a more moder-
ate and discriminating view. He says
of him:
But no one will doubt, after Her
3D." the standing of young Phillips as
Il poet He is not yet a Milton, as his
foolish friends think; he is not as a
.dramatist Sc far the superior, as they
have declared, of the despised Eliza
But he has passion, and he
has the gift of song. He sees things
broadly and clearly. he has, as some
one says, spacious moods" his intui-
lions are deep, his imagery is often su-
peril"
Maurice Hewlett is no doubt a man
OF unusual literary gifts. He is gener-
ally praised by sensible critics as a
writer OF much excellence, with high
powers of narration and description.
He has written but two novels and
both receive a large need of laudation.
His last is most quantity named-a bit
OF Observation-Disclosures Yea-and-
Nay" which is intended for the hero,
worldwide famous Richard the Lion
Hearted, made immortal in SCOTS
splendid historical romance, "Ivanhoe."
Mr. Hewlett is a brave writer to take
Richard Occur de Leon as a hero after
the great masters handling.
There is said to be a revival OF
LMacaulay. With appreciative lovers of
h best literature there has never
been any decay. He is not only a writ
er OF the largest size, but possibly the
most Fascinating among all English
&. essayists and historians. He is the
one consummate master of style you
= car read at any time, in any mood.
His charm is perennial, his power un-
tagging, his style never dimmed. We
have written first and last enough
concerning him. if all were gathered,
to fill forty pages in a magazine. We
never weary in reading him, and our
admiration never flags for a minute.
He is the most lucid, the most splendid,
the most eloquent writer Of this GEN.
fury so afiuent in men of distinguish
ed gifts and style. We read a peculiar
sIy appealing and glowing tribute to
.Maccaulay in the Review we have al
ready quoted from 1t is thoroughly
appreciative and in a most animated
way. We gather a few sentences:
Now, it is true that the bulk of the
democratic vote Is in the north and
east; but where are the democratlc
states in those sections? Where do
you find democratic presidential cleo
tors, senators, representatives In con-
gress, and state officials? What is the
use OF democratic votes that do not
: eject anybody? And what reason is
there to believe that northern scarihca-