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•jgilKriDtt’a DISIP AITOITO.
ATHENS, SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1848.
Light Literature.
The demand for “more light” which characterizes
the present age certainly cannot have any reference
to literature, for that is unquestionably light enough.
Indeed, it is so light as to be utterly incapable of
producing any good impression upon the public mind,
though, on the other hand, it would seem to be not
light enough to enable its votaries to discover the ig
nis fatuus nature of its glare.
Many good men, naturally alarmed at the rapid
increase of this, so called, Light Literature, have felt
constrained to make heavy charges against every
species of it, gravely denouncing it as utterly de
structive of all gravity, and classing both its produ
cers and consumers among the light-headed.
We cannot agree altogether with these good men,
who, we apprehend, contemplate this light evil
through the thick mist of prejudice, which distorts
and magnifies its just proportions, till it appears to
them as dark as midnight itself. We take it for
granted that truth is not the less attractive in a tale
than in a tract, especially as there are many minds so
unhappily formed, either by nature or education, as
to repel truth presenting itself in its own homely
guise, but admitting it when skillfully coated with
the sugar of Fancy. Will any one contend that he
who refuses to put on the coat, however appropriate,
which has been made for him ostensibly, would not
perhaps be ben efitted by an ingenious robe, the warp
of which is made of the unattractive truth, while the
woof is composed of the gay threads of imagination 1
Let no one imagine that we propose in this arrange
ment to warp the truth —which should be, on the con
trary, clearly exhibited in straight, undeviating
lines.
We do not, however, enter a plea in behalf of all
that is published now a-days under this comprehen
sive title of Light Literature. Much of it indeed
would need to be wrapped in flames brighter than its
usual yellow covering, before we should allow it had
any claims whatever to the epithet. The word
Light thus applied would be a clear instance of In
cus a non luccndo. We utterly repudiate all those
flimsy pamphlets which emanate from nowhere and
are written by nobody. Nor do avo look with any
favor upon the Ingraham and Ned Buntline spawn,
which like the frogs of Egypt have come up upon
the people, and which, we take it, the people would
as willingly dispense with, as would the Egyptians
with their unclean visitors. Such trash can only be
made light of by being thrown into the fire. Devour
ing flames, and not intelligent beings, should con
sume it!
There are, however, many excellent works of fic
tion written and published in our day, which we
should be sorry to condemn, though they belong to
the class of light reading. Many a gem of thought
—many a fragment of valuable ore —yea, many a
vein of precious metal has been revealed by the
light, and it is only the superficial reader tvho has
sought in vain for the rich lessons of truth and wis
dom they can afford. It is not only the novel and the
tale that assume the guise of fiction. The world
abounds with works in all departments of knowledge
—in history, philosophy, ethics, theology, law and
medicine—the staple of which is fiction, —that ele
ment of literature which many of the grave authors
of these very treatises think ought to be buried for
ever. There is no doubt that many of these learned
books would be entitled to the opprobrious epithet
which is the text of our discourse, but for the weighty
reason that they have sunk so low beneath their in
herent gravity as to make it an obvious misnomer.
We take it for granted that the unfortunate publish
ers of such books would be very willing to have their
ponderous tomes made light enough to go off with
the breath of popular applause.
Light literature has an office among us; —and it is
true that the people are well aware of the fact and
keep it pretty well crowded : —its ministry has not
been inaptly compared to that of the flowering shrubs
a nd vines and blossoms of the garden—less ambitious
than the towering trees of the forest, —less useful for
the great purposes of life—but still not without their
precious lessons to the heart.
Some may prefer to look for truth at the bottom
of a well. That is well enough, but it suits us bet
ter to find it reflected from the sunny surface of a
gentle river or silvery lake.
©®lo IF SHE IE El IL 3 IFB IB A!B Y ©A2 Mlf IS .
Wo must dismiss this subject before it presses too
heavily upon the patience of our readers, hoping that
they will have discovered our drift in thus venturing
to oppose the current that in some quarters sets so |
strongly against every species of Light Literature
that is afloat.
The White Blackberry.
We have received from an esteemed correspondent,
(Rev. Robert Fleming, of Newnan,) a letter de- j
scribing the above apparently paradoxical species of
fruit. lie says:
“ Enclosed I send you one of the white blackberries
about which I said something last year in the Tem
perance Banner. It is, to all intents and purposes,
a blackberry , only it is white ! I know of no other
method of describing it to you. A few bushes have
been discovered on a plantation six miles west of this,
and I have procured about twenty roots and planted
them in my garden. They grow rapidly and will
bear next year. The berry is stainless, sweeter than
the common blackberry, and is of the color of the in
side of the lemon. It is superior, in every way, to the
ordinary blackberry, or to the different kinds of rasp
berry. Indeed, this is infinitely beyond anything of
its class, and will be sought after as a most delicious
luxury. * * * * The berries are large, abundant
and beautiful on all the bushes where they grow. I
wish you could see them just as they are now lying
before me in their unsullied beauty.”
The berry which our correspondent sent us, very
slightly discolored the paper in which it was wrap
ped. We have committed it to the care of Professor
Jackson, who will have the seed put into a pot at
once. Mr. Fleming says: “ I have traveled a good
deal in Georgia, and never heard of the white black
berry until the discovery of these in my county. I
find no description of it in any of the systems of Bot
any to which I have had access.”
We believe there is no mention made of this vari
ety in the Botanies, but w T e are credibly informed
that there are two other localities in Georgia where
it occurs —one id Jackson county and another in Un
ion. We are glad to learn that Mr. Collier, on
whose plantation in Coweta the bushes are found, is
making arrangements to supply those who desire
them with roots of this valuable species, which he
can do with great facility by means of the railroads.
<rijc ©nr jroritL
Arrival of tlie Britannia.
At the time of our going to press, we are in receipt
of barely a synopsis of the Britannia’s news, by tel
egraph to Augusta, of which the following are the
principal items.
England. All is quiet; but great depression ex
ists in the markets in consequence of the recent agi
tations.
Ireland. The excitement is said to be increas
ing, but little apprehension of an outbreak seems to j
be felt. Mrs. MiTCHEL,the wife of the convict, is
not dead as was reported.
France. The Prince de Joinville had entered
Paris, and was received cordially. Lamartine and j
Ledru RglllN are reported to have resigned, but ‘
we do not credit the rumor. It has been determined i
that the French Constitution shall be Democratic
Republican, and that education shall be afforded
free to the poor. A despatch of the Courier En
quirer reports that the monarchial party in Paris is
seeking to restore the Bourbon dynasty —reerect a
throne and place upon it the young Count de Paris,
w ith the Duchess of Orleans as Regent.
Austria. A terrible battle is reported at Geesne,
in which 30,000 Austrians were utterly defeated by
a superior force of Piedmontese.
Spain. British residents were leaving Madrid.
<Tf)c Xciu ££’ovnr.
The Barnburners’ Convention.
At a large Convention of the Democracy of New-
York opposed to the elevation of Gen. Cass to the
Presidency, and held at Utica on the 22d ult., a let
ter was read from Martin Van Buren declaring that
he could not vote for either Cass or Taylor. This
letter occasioned much excitement, but was approve
ed by the Convention. The Convention subsequent
ly nominated, viva voce, Mr. Van Buren as their
candidate for the Presidency, and Govenor Dodge,
of Wisconsin for the Vice Presidency. Mr. Van Bu
ren has accepted the nomination. This is.regarded
by both parties as a most singular movement on the
great political Chess-board. It embodies a party,
under a powerful leader, in direct opposition to the
interests of the South, being expressly based on the
“ Free Soil Principle,” as it is called. However this
movement may be regarded by our political contem
poraries, to us it appears full of significance and mo
ment —since it may result in the concentration of the
Anti-Slavery factions throughout the North. We
forbear further comment, however, as it is not our
province to discuss political questions.
©ur (Sosstp Column*
The letter of our New York correspondent, in the
present number, introduces a series of brief andgraph
ic sketches of the prominent men of Gotham, w hich
we doubt not will prove acceptable to our readers.
We will take this occasion, by the way, to assure our
excellent letter-writer, “Flit,” that his weekly
communications constitute one of the most popular
features of our paper, as we learn not only from the
testimony of our town readers, but from the nume
rous letters we are constantly receiving from distant
subscribers In the above connection, let us
make our acknowledgements to many kind friends
for their expressions of interest in our labors. Says
one, “ I expect to take your valuable Journal so long
as I live, and it continues.” Another writes, “ Con
sider me a subscriber, and a paying one too !—for
life.” And still another, “ I will stand by you to
the last.” Thanks to you all, kind friends; and may
your numbers bo multiplied exceedingly, until the
success of the Gazette is placed beyond all question.
If every one who cordially approves our poor but ear
nest efforts, would send us one additional subscriber,
our list would be greatly increased —and with such
avc could, and certainly should, increase the attrac
tions of the Taper. A fair correspondent in a recent
letter, says: “ Accept our warmest expression of in
terest for your (or muy I not, without presumption,
say our) paper, for I do hail it as the paper of our
own South, and hope that its appeal to Southern
hearts will meet a hearty response.” We desire that
every one of our subscribers shall cherish a similar
feeling for it The hot weather which, as the
old lady said of her ill-health, we have been “ enjoy
ing” for some time past, has reminded us of the clever
verses of Holmes upon a similar occasion. He thus
begins—
“ The folks (hat on the first of May,
Wore winter coats and hose,
Began to say the last of June,
Good Lord ! how hot it grows.
At last two Fuhrenheit9 blew up,
And killed two children small!
And one Barometer shot dead
A tutor with its ball!”
We advise our readers to keep an eye on their ther
mometors, and occasionally to take them down, and
so prevent their getting too high, lest a similar catas
trophe, to that recorded by the Toet, should create a
mortality among our juveniles We certainly
looked to see some grand national demonstrations of
rejoicing at the restoration of Peace with Mexico;
and have been surprised to find that no movement of
that kind has been made in the great cities of our
Union. Perhaps our people are of the same mind
with that sweet poetess, Dorcas Dove, who, accord
ing to the veritable chronicler, Thomas Hood, con
tributed a “ Poem on the celebration of Peace,” to a
Quaker Congregation, in which, after most feel
ingly deprecating the welcome of Peace, “ from
mouths of forty pounding bores”—she thus expostu
lates —
“ No need is tliere of vulgar shout,”
Bells, cannons, trumpets, tile and drum,
And soldiers marching all about,
To let us know that peace is come.”
“ Oh, mild should be the signs, and meek,
Sweet Peace’s advent to proclaim;
Silence her noiseless foot should apeak,
And echo should repeat the same!”
“ The bleeding gaps of War to close
Will whizzing rockets’ flight avail?
Will squibs enliven orphans’ woes ?
Or crackers cheer the widow’s tale ?”
For our part we do not agree with Dorcas, and
cannot help expressing our regret that arrangements
have not been made, all over our wide territory, to
celebrate the return of peace, on the approaching an
niversary of our national independence. It would
have been a fit deed for a fit occasion. How glorious
would have been the twofold watchword, “ Liberty
and Peace!”
Notices to Correspondents.
B. The Leper of the City of Aoste is under con
sideration. If not published its length alone will ex
clude it.
“ Fergus.” Your poem will appear shortly.
W. G. S. will accept our thanks for his repeated
favors.
E. J. E. May we not hope to hear from you again 1
J. L. F. It will cost you Six Dollars to receive
Punch for one year, postage prepaid.
“Thomas.” Oh, Thomas! fie, Thomas ! how
could you perpetrate such rhymes as the following :
“ When evening comes on and the sun it is gone,
How sweet is it then to rove in the grove,
And to fold the dear form of the one 1 love,
Oh how sweet!
“ Hetty.” We are exceedingly sorry, dear young
lady, that you and your cousin, (God bless her,) are
“both deeply offended at our editorial discourtesy in
publishing the ‘intercepted letters.’” We are hap
py to know, however, that the dear public was ver
moche please at de same, and we dare not promise,
Hetty, not to repeat the offence if avc have a fair op
portunity to do so. Take care of your letters and
billets-doux, young ladies, and don’t tell many great
secrets in them for fear!
©ur Hook {Tabic,
rr* Publishers and authors who may wish to have their
books noticed in the “Gazette,” will please send copies
for the Editor, to Messrs. Burgess,Stringer & Co.,New
York, who will send a parcel to him weekly by express.
Comstock’s Natural History. 1. Natural His
tory of Birds. 2. Natural History of Beasts. By
J. L. Comstock, M. D. New York: Rratt,
Woodford & Cos.
Natural I lietory is certainly one of the most in
structive and valuable branches of knowledge ; and
Ave have been surprised to see the study of it so much
neglected in our schools. These handsome volumes
of quarto form, are illustrated by engravings, pre
senting the comparative size of the subjects, and the
descriptive text is well adapted to the capacities of
the young, and interspersed with attractive anec
dotes. They are just what was needed to impart
elementary knowledge of Natural History to the
young student, and avc know of no books that supply
their place.
A Practical System of Book-Keeping, by Single
Entry, By Levi S. Fulton & George S. East
man. New York : A. S. Barnes & Cos.
Here is a real treasure for the Merchant and the
Clerk, as also for all who desire to learn the sorne-
Avhat difficult art of Book-Keeping. The volume is
small and beautifully printed—the numerous exam
ples in the form of writing, and the Avhole presenting
the best guide of the kind Ave have CA r er met with.
There are forms for the Farmer, Mechanic and Mer
chant respectively, and to all these classes we com
mend the book. The appendix contains various
practical “Forms,” useful to all classes.
The School and Famij.y Dictionary and Illus
trative DEFiNER.**By T. 11. Gallaudet & Hor
ace Hooker. New York: Pratt, Woodford & Cos.
Any intelligent teacher or parent would hail such
a book as this Avith pleasure, since it not only pre
sents definitions of words, but illustrations from Scrip
ture and other sources, of the correct use of such
Avords, as for example—
Derange—v. a., to put things out of their proper
order.
The house took fire, and while extinguishing it,
they deranged his beautiful collection of shells.
lie has talked and acted so strangely, for some
Aveeks past, that his friends begin to think he is de
ranged.
The value of such a feature as this, in a first book
for the young learner, cannot avcll be over-estimated.
The Power of the Pulpit, or Thoughts addressed
to Christian Ministers, and Those who hear them.
By Gardiner Spring, D. 1). 1 vol. 12mo. pp.
459. New York: Baker & Scribner.
This beautifully printed volume is from the pen of
one of the ablest divines in our land, and has a very
comprehensive dedication, since those who preach
and those Avho hear, constitute together, the majori
ty, we should suppose, of the people of Christian
countries. We need only to announce this book, for
the benefit of our clerical and religious readers, to
whom it will best present its own claims.
The Daguerreotype; A Magazine of Foreign
Literature and Science. Published semi-monthly
imp. Hvo 48 pp. Boston: Tappan, Whittemore&
Mason.
This is unquestionably the cheapest Eclectic Mag
azine issued from the American Press. Its selections
are choice and judicious—having wide scope and a
high aim. The value of such a re-print to the gen
eral reader, is too obvious to need argument to enforce
it. No family should be without one such work, and
we can very conscientiously recommend the “ Da
guerreotype.” Its name is well chosen, as it is de
signed to be an embodiment of the spirit of the age.
It is very beautifully printed, and furnished at Three
Dollars per annum.
Blackavood’s Magazine. American Edition for
June. New-York: Leonard Scott & Cos.
This is the last number of a volume, and now is
the time for neAV subscribers to send in their orders,
and commence with the July issue. Our readers are
probably aware that the American publishers pur
chase the right to re-print this magazine, and that
Avhile the English copy costs eight dollars per annum,
they furnish a sac simile edition for three dollars. —
They announce their intention to continue this very
low price, if the increase of circulation will authorize
it; and we urge every one avlio wishes to read the
best Magazine in the world, to subscribe at once for
Blackwood. In spite of its unconcealed toryism,
there is a vigor, a spirit about “ old Ebony,” that is
incomparable. The Caxtons, published in recent
Numbers is an admirable story —and we especially
commend to thinking men, the leading paper of the
month, “ How to disarm the Chartists.”
i
-- ? -eral Book Notices, together with notices
of New Music, are unavoidably crowded out of this,
issue. All of them, however, shall receive due at
tention next week.
63