The article on “Genius” is perhaps more in accordance with our views than with those of the editor, who seems to think the writer's inferences lag behind the spirit of the age, and hence deduces the important conclusion, that his correspondent is not a phrenologist. We leave both the editor and his correspondent to the enjoyment of their own respective opinions, while we pass on to entertain ourselves for a little while in the “March Court” of our sister State. Nugator describes to the life the scenes of every day occurrence both in and around a Virginia Court House, and concludes the picture he has so happily drawn, by introducing the trial of a negro woman for murder, during the late war, and at the time the British were ascending the Potomac.
The article on “Woman,” by Paulina, is sensible and well written—far more just and philosophical than a vast deal that has been said on this fair subject. Commend us to the ladies in general, and to Paulina in particular, for just views of the gentler sex. It is to be hoped the fair writer may perceive that the subject is not exhausted in a single essay.
“Leaves from my Scrap Book,” includes much that is excellent within a limited space. The writer has improved his naturally correct taste by close communion with the ancient and modern classics.
A Tale of Jerusalem, is one of those felicitous “hits,” which are the forte of Edgar A. Poe. The point, like that of an epigram, lies in the conclusion.
The “critical notices” of the present number, evince the usual ability of the editor in this department; though, what is more to our taste, not quite so caustic, as hitherto. We accord with the review of the “Culprit Fay.” The merits of this poem, despite the praise lavished upon it, when critically sifted, will be found to be like the little Ouphe himself, rather a small affair.
Our article has been lengthened so far beyond the usual limits as to preclude attention to the poetical department.
From the Norfolk Herald.
The Southern Literary Messenger.—The present number of the Messenger, although not altogether equal to some previous ones, is full of highly interesting and valuable matter, and sustains the well earned reputation of the Journal. The first article is “MSS. of Benjamin Franklin.” These MSS. are copied from the hand writing of Franklin himself and have never appeared in any edition of his works. Among other good things, they include the following question and its solution. “A man bargains for the keeping of his horse six months, whilst he is making a voyage to Barbadoes. The horse strays or is stolen soon after the keeper has him in possession. When the owner demands the value of his horse in money, may not the other as justly demand so much deducted as the keeping of the horse six months amounts to?” The second prose article is “Lionel Granby,” a series of papers which we cannot consider as at all creditable to the Messenger. The “Prairie” is a very good sketch. “Random Thoughts” are somewhat pedantic, but make a very excellent article. “Odds and Ends” we fancy is from the pen of Mr. Garnett; it is full of humor, and will be generally liked, although we agree with the Richmond Compiler in thinking it rather too old fashioned. The “Hall of Incholese” is decidedly bad, and moreover a direct imitation of Mr. Poe's tale of “Bon-Bon.” The Editor should have refused to admit it in the Messenger, if for no other reason, on account of its barefaced flattery of himself. Mr. Calvert's (of the Baltimore American) “Lecture on German Literature” will be generally read and admired. It is a well-written and comprehensive essay, evincing intimate acquaintance with the literature of which he treats. “Readings with my Pencil, No. IV” by J. F. O. is like all the other numbers, good. “American Social Elevation” is most admirable: if we mistake not, this article is from the pen of Professor Dew. “Verbal Criticisms” are just, but rather common place.
The “Editorial” of this number is very forcible nod racy as usual. Among other things we notice an account of the origin of “Lynch's Law.” The “Critical Notices” embrace all new publications of any moment, that is, American publications; and we approve of the Editor's discrimination in not troubling himself, except in rare cases, with those of foreign countries. The books reviewed are Slidell's “Spain Revisited,” “Paulding's Washington,” Mrs. Trollope's “Paris and the Parisians.” Walsh's “Didactics,” Anthon's “Sallust,” Cooper's “Switzerland” and “Mellen's Poems.” A press of other matters prevented us from doing what we intended in relation to the last Messenger. We wished especially to have called public attention to the Editorial critique on the poems of Drake and Halleck, and the article (also editorial) on the “Automaton of Maelzel.” Both these pieces are unanswerable—and perhaps the two best articles of any kind which have ever appeared in an American Periodical. The essay on the Automaton cannot be answered, and we have heard the Editor challenges a reply from Maelzel himself, or from any source whatever. The piece has excited great attention. The poetry of the Messenger improves: there are some excellent lines in the present number.