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ATHENS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 19,1848.
Literary Associations.
One of the principal objects contemplated in the
establishment of this Journal, was the deve'opement
and cultivation of literary taste iu the £outh, and we
propose to oiler a few thoughts, at this time, upon
the means by which this desirable end is to be ac
complished We take it for granted, that all our
readers are aware of the absence of such a taste to
an extent that is absolutely discreditable to our peo
ple, and mortifying to those who acknowledge the
importance of intellectual-advancement. We should
like to say flattering things of the South in this re
spect, if we coaid do so with a quiet conscience ; but
we will not flatter at the expense of truth, and we do
not fear to have our veracity impeached, when we say
that the cultivation of Relies Letters and the Arts
has been almost totally neglected among us. It is
claimed, nevertheless, by writers and speakers, that
the South is the genial home of Literature —that be
neath her s mny skies, amid her green savannas, in
the shadow of her noble mountains, within the sound
f her water-falls, the Spirit of Poesy and the Ge
nius of Letters should find their truest inspiration.
Granted that this is true—hew shall we answer for
it, that Literature is an exile from her native home,
and that Poetry and Genius have had to draw their
inspiration from less genial climes, and amid ruder
scenes than those of which we boast 1 For true is it,
that we of the South have few memorials of the pre
sence of these immortal guests 1
We must tell the truth, and the truth is this.
With everything around us and about us, to render
the cultivation of Letters easy and productive, we are
too indill'erent to engage in the work. We have not
realized the value oi such labors, and we cannot,
therefore, bring ourselves to the task. We are con
tent without the fruits of intellectual toil. Hence it
is, that the voice of Song is not heard in our midst —
that Imagination and Genius, those twin artists of
the soul, have not created gorgeous and beautiful pic
tures out of our legendary material— that Art has not
won distinguished trophies from our hills and vales,
and “ sky-born water-falls,” our Tallulahs, our Na
*oochees, and our Yonahs—that Intellect has not, in
short, moulded the varied and exhaustless resources
of our “sunny land” into shapes oi beauty, and into
forms of immortality, like those which, under the in
spiration of the poets and painters of Lurope, invest
scenes of far less i utrinsic merit.
We rejoice to know that hundreds among us are
painfully awake to a consciousness of all this ; and to
-mch it is a question of vital importance, how we may
develope and Ibster the latent intellectual energies of
the South. There are many ways in which this can
be done, to a greater or less extent; but of them all,
we conceive the most efficient to be the organization
f Literary Societies. In every village, there are
some who thirst for knowledge, who desire to have
their intellectual natures enlarged and elevated. Let
such associate themselves in some simple manner for
the accomplishment of their wishes. If they form
‘•lily a K eading Circle, in which valuable and instruc
tive books are read by one, and conversed about by
a chord will be struck in the common heart of the
members that will vibrate with ever increasing plea
sure. If they unite to discuss orally, or iu written
themes, any topic of literary or scientific interest, a
step higher will be achieved, and a wider scene of
beauty will stretch out before them. If they form
regular Lyceums, and employ intelligent men of
their own connexion, or, if need be, from abroad, to
•mfold to them in familiar lectures the mysteries of
Art, the intricacies of Philosophy, the beauties of
Poetry— the whole arcana, in short, of the intel
lectual world—they will experience the highest pos
sible enjoyment of an earthly nature, and will revel
m the delights of worlds unknown to the uncultiva
ted intellect.
We would have these associations, however ambi
*i"usin their character, or however simple, composed
•* both sexes. Woman’s smile and woman’s wit
should animate the slower motions of man’s spirit,
*ud man's strength and comprehensiveness of intel
lect should reciprocally impart solidity to her graces.
: u this manner they would derive mutual benefit,
indeed, we are disposed to think that men, who pur
intellectual objects entirely removed from the
and influences of female society, lose half the
§©oH*o $a S3 Ba HIT IE aA & ®A£IBIf TF $ .
delight, to say nothing of the actual advantage of
their toil.
But we will not pursue this branch of our subject
further: nor have we anything to add at present to
what we have written, except to express our hope
that those readers who agree with the sentiments of
this article will attempt such organizations as we
have suggested. For the beneficial results of litera
ry associations, we need only to j oint to New Eng
land, where, in every village, one at least exists, and
where there is so much literary taste, that scarce a
house is destitute of a good collection of books, and
more or less literary journals.
Family Papers.
We cannot conceive any thing more grateful to
the family circle than a weekly Journal, especially
designed for its improvement and delight. How re
freshing to oj>en its folds, yet damp from the press,
and to feel that its contents are not made up of j>er
soiial altercations, jiarty attacks, false representa
tions, and exaggerated statements —all designed to
increase strife, and to fan, more and more, the flame
of political discord! Ilow pleasant to think that
there, at least, he will find no bitter party feeling,
no rancorous expressions of political hatred—but, on
the contrary, those agreeable miscellanies which,
while they please the fancy, inform the mind, and
enlarge the heart.
At this time, when an exciting campaign is com
mencing, and when party journals are moving hea
ven and earth, (and another place not mentionable
to ears j)olite !) to carry their measures—thereby
exciting every reader, to a greater or less degree, with
the sjiirit of j>a;tizanshij> —we cannot do the public a
greater favor than to recommend them to take one
or more family, neutral papers; where they will find
pleasant relief from the absolute surfeit of politics,
which a thousand journals are weekly serving up in
every conceivable form, and under every possible dis
guise, to please the palate of the people. We do
not intend to’condemn political jiapcrs—far from it;
but we wish to remind their eager readers that, by
mingling with their exciting stimulus the quiet, con
templative, and imaginative products of literary
taste and leisure, they will both cool their tempers
and increase their actual store of jdeasant and jiro
litable knowledge. Let our readers ponder these
things, for they are assuredly true.
<Tfje 3LCterar aWotlir.
Bibliograpliia Americana.
We learn from our valued contemporary, the
“Literary World,” that Mr. lienry Stevens, the
American Agent of the British Museum, jirojioses to
prepare “ a Bibliographical Account of the Sources
of Early American History, comprising a description
of books relating to America, printed prior to the
year 1700, and of all books printed in America from
1543 to 1700, together with notices of many of the
more important unpublished MSS.”
This is a vast undertaking, and will require great
research and labor, besides a largo expenditure of
money, which is to be met by the subscriptions of
Literary Institutions throughout the world. The
Smithsonian Institution will adopt this great work,
and issue it in one or two splendid quarto volumes.
Mr. Stevens, of whose ability to perform the task
there can be no manner of doubt, jiroposes to have it
ready in the year ISSO, anil sails for England next
month to begin his labors in the Library of the Brit
ish Museum, that grand depository of American
Archaeology.
American
Graham's American Monthly Magazine, for
Sejitember, 1543.
It is certainly a settled point that ‘ Graham’ is not
to be outdone by any contemporary, for whatever ad
vance towards his excellence other Magazines may
make, he is sure to be found bearing in liis hand, the
banner with the strange device, “ Excelsior.”
The high reputation of this beautiful monthly has
been achieved, not so much by its unsurpassed em
bellishments, as the excellence of Its articles —con-
tributed by our very ablest writers —including Cooji
-01-, Bryant, Simms, Longfellow, Willis, Herbert; be
sides a constellation of ‘air stars of the first magni
tude. Nor is it a slight reason of its success, that
two distinguished gentlemen preside over its editori*
al department—its worthy proprietor and the Hon.
Robert T. Conrad. We have spoken thus far of
the work in general; and there remains only to say
of tho September issue that it exhibits the still un
failing resources of its managers. Beautiful plate g
and attractive letter press commend it to the reader.
1 >
The Knickerbocker for August.
This old and popular Magazine, has its usual
liberal quota of contributed and Editorial matter.
We jiurticularly commend the clever paper, entitled
“ Love iu the Choir,” which we should certainly
copy, notwithstanding the “ entered according to
law,” if it were a little shorter than it is.
American WFccfcfi? srcss.
The Literary American: New York.
We cordially welcome to our exchange list, a
handsome quarto of sixteen pages, bearing the above
comprehensive name, and devoted to tho cause of
Home Literature. We are pleased with its ajqioar
ance —its classification of subjects, and the tone of its
articles; anu we hail its advent as another star of
promise on the literary horizon. May it ascend ;
steadily, and with increasing brightness, to the me
ridian of fame.
<Dur CSosstjp Column,
“Flit” has failed us this week, gentle reader, for
which, however, we are constrained to believe that
“ Uncle Sam” is to blame. We are anticipating
some pleasant letters from the beautiful region of
Lake George, and shall probably make up for tho
deficiency of this number, by publishing two in our
next We hope all will read “ The Leper
of the City of ACste,” completed in the present is
sue. It is pervaded by a pathos and tenderness rare
ly exhibited by the French raconteurs, and the trans
lation has been made with grace and spirit
To our “ would-be contributors,” allow us to com
mend most earnestly the closing paragraphs of the
capital paper entitled “Literary Reminiscences.”
We can fully endorse what the author says about
bad penmanship. If we receive an article from an
unknown hand, our impressions, for or against it, are
very apt to take their hue from the character of the
chirography. If it be stiff, crabbed and illegible,
we cannot possibly judge the article favorably, un
less its merit be so distinguished as to shine out
through all the obscurity of the MS. If, on the
other hand, it be neatly written and evince care, we
incline at once to print it; and, even if it be insuffer
ably bad as to sense or sentiment, it is consigned to
the “ Balaam” box, with a regret that so much fair
penmanship is necessarily wasted! Let us, there
fore, repeat Hood’s forcible direction to all who as
pire to have their maiden efforts immortalized in the
Gazette: “Be sure to buy the best paper, the best
ink, the best pen3, and then sit down and do the
best you can; as the school-boys do— put out your
tongue, and take pains !” .... In our last “Gos
sip,” we recorded a capital pun of the celebrated
Porson upon tho endings of the Latin Gerund. A
small volume might be well filled with the good say
ings of that illustrious Cantab. We need not apolo
gize to our classical readers for reminding them of
the two following. Porson, on one occasion, being
asked what lie would drink, rejilieil, with much
gravity, “ Altquid,” (a liquid. 1 ) lie was often
ki wn to sit up all night with his books and his bot
tle, and was thus surprised by his attendant in the
morning. On one occasion, the gyp, entering his
room before it was yet day, and, finding him up, en
quired of him if he wished either candles or liquor;
to which Porson immediately replied,
ov rode ovd’ aXko
which, being freely rendered into English, is neither
toddy nor tallow ! .... We encountered, the
other day, in an old volume of humor, the following
conundrum, attributed to Walpole, whlie he was at
Cambi idge. The three Doctors were connected with
the University.
c t° r
What’s Doctor, and Dr., and L° writ so 1
Doctor Long, Dr. £hort, and Dr. Askew !
On Monday night, the 21st instant, the Athens
Independent Lyceum hold a public meeting at the
Town Hall; on which occasion a gold medal will
be jiresenteil to their associate, Mr. J. N. Hicks. It
is to be hoped that our citizens will accept the polite
invitation of the Lyceum, and attend the ceremony.
.... While we write this paragraph, the great
Agricultural Fair at Rock Mountain is in progress,
and we doubt not it is a gay and busy festival. We
rejoice at every such manifestation of an increasing
regard for improvement in Agriculture, Manufac
tures, and the Arts in Georgia. It is an augury of
good to our peojde. Next week, we shall give you,
dear reader, some account of the Fair. For the pre
sent, adieu!
Notices to Correspondents.
Quid. Your “ Geometrical Epigram” is not only
defective in rythm, but iu originality. We find in
our scrap-book an Epigram by a Cambridge scholar,
from which yours appears to have been plagiarized. ,
Perhaps we misjudge you, as great minds will some- ]
times think alike ! We annex the genuine article.
A NEW FIGURE IN GEOMETRY.
Let mathematicians and geometricians—
Talk of circles’ and triangles’ charms,
The figure I prize is a girl with bright eyes,
And the circle—THAT formed by her arms !
What say you Quid —“ Guilty or not guilty?”
L. T. D. Your offering is acceptable, and shall
appear shortly.
H. M. J. We will publish your favor in an early
number
<Du JJoofe Cable.
* — f
Publishers and authors who may wish to hare their
Books noticed in the “ Literary Gazette,” will please send
copies for the editor to Burgess, Stringer &. Cos., New Yor
who will send a purcel to him every week by express.
Charms, and Counter-Charms ; Py Maria .T. Mc-
Intosh : author of “ Two Lives or To Feem arid
To Be ”&e &e. One vol. 12iuo, j)p. 400. New
York : D. Appleton & Cos.
Miss Mclntosh is a native of our Ftate, and Geor
gia may well be proud of su< h a daughter. Her pen
has already produced several chastely written, and
highly interesting volumes, which have given her a
j j'lace among standard writers for the young, and for
; her own sex. The aim of the present work is direct
ed against those fatally false theories, which are ob
taining in our own country as well as in the Old World,
which would make tho sacred rite if marriage, a
mere act of conventionalism. The charms of the fas
cinating but worldly Mrs. Mabury, who would'wia
Euston Hastings from his wife, to whom he holds
himself but lightly bound, by the ceremony which
made them ono “before God, and in the sight of
man,” are however effectually counteracted by the
“ purity and gentleness, the devotedness of feeling,
and firmness of principle,” which enhance the per
sonal loveliness, and constitute the charms of Eve
lyn the wife. The book reads a lesson to the young
girl who loves rashly, and to the wife who would
yield her principles even to the dictates or persua
sions of an idolized husband. We are sure it is cal
culated to do good, and that it deserves a placo in
every lady’s library.
Grantley Manor; a Tale, by Lady Georg iaxa.
Fullerton : author of •• Lllen Middleton.’’ One
vol. I2mo, pp. 320. New \ oik : D. Appleton &•
Cos.
‘I his is the title of an exceedingly interesting vol
ume which we have read with more than ordinary
jileasure. The style is elegant, the story, which in
volves a succession of mysteries and cross purposes is
well developed, and the scene, and character-painfr
ing is full of spirit and truth. The authoress is
certainly a woman of genius which she has used t#
excellent purjiose. Few nobler characters have ever
been depicted than the womanly yet firm principled*
and high so ;led Ginevra ; for her husband we have
not so much love, or admiration —his selfishness, and
his positive cruelty in the course of conduct he en
forces upon a woman he professes to adore, influence
us in spite of bis remorseful contritions when he has
almost caused her death. Many of the subordinate
characters are finely conceived, and the moral of the
whole book is evident and impressive, while it is not
obtrusively thrust upon us. We would certainly
give “ Grantley Manor ” a jilaee on our shelves be
side “ Charms and Counter-Charms,” both of which
volumes are beautiful specimens of Art, worthy of
their intrinsic merit.
Brian O’Linn, or Luck is Everything ; by W.
11. Maxwell, New York : Burgess, Stringer &
Cos.
Procure a copy, dear reader, and we guarantee it
will “shake the cobwebs out of your brain” most
effectually. Brian was truly “ a broth of a boy ”
and bis adventures are told in the author’s happiest
vein. •
Lays of the Palmetto : A tribute to the South
Carolina Regiment, in the war with Mexico. By
W. Gilmore Simms Esq., Charleston: Joha
Russell.
This little brochure comes to us freighted with the
outbreathings of a generous and sympathising patri
otism. The author has succeeded in infusing into
these lyrics much of the spirit of true poetry, and we
doubt not they will kindle in many a breast the fer
vor which inspired them. They are scarcely amen
able to criticism and if they were, the sentiment
would rebuke severely tho spirit of fault-finding.
Their author is ever welcome to thousands.of read
i era come he in what guise he may, and in their be
half we greet with jileasure this little volume of
j “ lays, ” and regret that our limits will not permit
us to offer a specimen.
France —its King, Court and Government. By
Gen. Lewis Cass ; Pamphlet Edition. New
York: Leonard Scott.
The prominent position which Gen. Cass occu
pies at this time, as one of the candidates for the ex
ecutive chair of the American Rejmblic, has induced
| the publisher to issue a cheap (twenty-five cents) edi
j tion ol this work, written by the author during bit
diplomatic residence at the Court of the late King,
Louis Phillippe. The work, on its first appearance,
created some interest, and has recently been a bone
of contention between some party papers. It Wa#
well, therefore, to reprint it, that all might read for
themselves, the views of Gen. Cass, on monarchidi
gevemment. The recent overthrow of the brilliant
dynasty he describes, will also increase the interest
of the book—affording striking contrasts and radical
changes.
A notice of Orta-Undis and other Poems, bjr
J. M. Legare is unavoidably deferred until our next
issue.
119