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S 9 § TOIPAJMMIEM 1 . ;> dwßki j.'zr* - ‘ * “ \v*< •*— f.Az 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