Southern literary gazette. (Athens, Ga.) 1848-1849, December 09, 1848, Page 247, Image 7

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Charles W. Dußose will continue to teach French and Music, in which departments she will doubtless maintain the distinguished reputation she has hith erto possessed. Sparta is a pretty village, where pupils may enjoy a salubrious climate and excellent society, with the best scholastio advantages. The Schoolfellow, It is not a little encouraging to find that our plan of issuing a Magazine for the boys and girls of the South, meets with approbation in every quarter — leading us to anticipate a wide-spread circulation for the work. We are “ devising liberal things” for the embellishment of the work, and have already secured a large number of beautiful wood cuts. Sev eral of these will appear in the first volume—which is now in press, and will be ready by Christmas. — Our little readers, therefore, who wish to secure a copy of it, should prevail upon their parents to send on their subscriptions immediately, lest they should be disappointed at a later day. We are promised the aid of several distinguished writers, and hope to obtain tho services of many more. The following note is just received from Mrs. Joseph C. Neal, the graceful and popular authoress, and the Editress of Neal’s Saturday Gazette. She will pardon us, we feci sure, for putting it in print: My Dear Sir, —I have received, with great plea sure, the Prospectus of the “ Schoolfellow,” as for warded by you, and cheerfully comply with your re quest to become a contributor to its pages—the more so, that I am sure it will become, in your bands, just what Is needed at the present—a lively, entertaining, and, withal, instructive Juvenile Mag azine. For myself, I never write with more plea sure than when “ sketching” for children. They are tho best, and certainly the most generous critics in the world. Wishing you every success, Respectfully, ALICE B. NEAL. We would remind those of our subscribers whose subscriptions have passed the six months’ limit, that we offer to such The Gazette for the j'ear and the Schoolfellow for the same period, for Three Dollars, remitted to us, free of expense, by the first of Janu ary ensuing. This will enable them to secure the Juvenile Magazine at the extremely low cost o Fifty Cents. Who will hesitate to accept our pro position I Our friends will, we trust, immediately send in all the names they have obtained. <Dur CSosstji Column. Avery numerous class of our readers—wc mean the verse-writers —will be particularly interested in the sketch we publish this week, entitled “ Rhyme and Reason.” We doubt not every one of them has stumbled over some obstinate word that wouldn’t rhyme no how they could twist it; and who of them will not envy the rhyming facility of the amiable and excellent Hood, as exhibited in his “ Double Knocks.” We sympathize with his “ ingenious medical friend,” who failed to be “an eminent poet,” because he could n’t discover a rhyme to ipe cacuanha, the unfortunate word which “ happened” at the end of his first verse ; but we think that if he had lived in our day, he would not have been so ea sily defeated in his poetical aspirations —as witness the following: Let doctors speak the praises Os ipecacuanha— The farmer greater products raises With genuine guano! A friend of ours has been trying his hand, more, over, at the “Double Knocks,” and has granted us permission to print his effort. Here it is: No go, I greatly fear my task will prove, Though so before me wrote the witty Hood. Yet let me try, for he who tries may do— Set net for game, if you on game would dine. Reason, they say, is innocent of rhyme: Treason, to me this sentiment appears— Clearer shines reason in the poet’s strain, Dearer the truth that is in numbers sung. Poets are earth’s true prophets, priests aad kings, So its my boast to bear the honored name. Better I wish my humble muse could be Let her at least have credit for the wish: Pardon her failings now, and do not be Hard on this trifle, written just for fun! • . . . We have been politely favored with a copy of the satirical Poem entitled “ Charleston,” the re ply to which we alluded to in our last week’s gossip. We have our doubts that the Poem is the produc tion of a lady, as it purports to be —doubts which are due to our high appreciation of the delicacy essential to the female character, and which we can d idly think is not always exhibited in the satire. — W e can readily perceive how Charleston, or any other city, may offer admirable points for the at. tacks of the satirist; but it does appear strange to us that a young and modest maiden should be tho first to make the onset. This is a question cf taste* B©(DiriaiS[Eij!l MTF[£[£/ft&Y BASBTFTTB* however, and we waive it. Os the wit of the satire we have nothing to say, except that it appears to us to be attenuated—even threadbare —and its poetry is even more questionable than the wit. The ‘ ‘Vin dication” is decidedly the more spirited production ot the two, and though often defective in versifica tion, is not unfrequently pointed and justly severe. 1 he defence of Southern Chivalry is in keeping with the theme—and we have quoted it entire in another column, these satirical brochures , when controlled by the spirit of courtesy, arc well calculated to dc velope poetic taste ; and we are glad to see in “The \ indication ’ tho germ of excellence. Its author writes currents calatno, but wo would remind him that it is the labor limes, which produces tho pol ished and effective verse The Boston Dai ly Bee, one of our raciest exchanges, is now un der the editorial care of Mr. Ben Perly Poore, the author of “The llise and Fall of Louis Phil lipe,” and recently the clever correspondent, in France, of the Boston Atlas. Mr. Poore was for merly connected with tho weekly press in this place, and is doubtless known to many of our readers. —lie is a man of decided talent, and we doubt not that lie will distinguish himself in his new and important position We shall, next week, resume the publication of “All About.” Tho first of the Southern series came just too late for the present number. We are sure our intelligent readers will be pleased to accompany the author of these papers in his lively ramblings Our correspondent, Alton, sends the following clever epigram, which he styles THE AUTHOR’S RETORT ON HIS ‘FRIEND.’ Pray, sir, and is your Poem out, And yet you do not send, As is the custom, ‘with respects,’ A copy to your friend? Nay, pardon, sir, but he’s my friend, And proves it with good will, Who buys my book, and thus assists To pay my printer’s bill! Notices to Correspondents. &enex. —Your letter was duly received, but has been since very unintentionally overlooked. We hope to find a place for it in our next. T. L.—Your “ Stanzas to a Cat-Bird that perch es itself every morning upon my father’s garden gate, and tries to sing,” are respectfully declined. Cui Bono I —We agree with you, in the main, in your estimate of “ the value of a College education to two-thirds of those who graduate but, for spe cial reasons, we must at least defer the publication of your paper. You will, we doubt not, discover the chief cause of our unwillingness to print it—though we must suggest that its length is forbidding. A Paying Subscriber. —We have the highest possible respect for the opinions of that remarkable character, “A Paying Subscriber;” hut in all conscience, dear sir, you cannot expect us to obey the dictates of any one of our patrons, where our best judgment teaches us it would be at the expense of all the rest, or even a large number of them. The most we can do is to weigh carefully the suggestions of yourself or any other, and then —decide for ourself what we ought or ought not to do. When we adopt any other course than this, farewell the merit, the independence of our Journal! Are you answered 1 T. P. F.—When your subscription is paid, we will comply with your very gentlemanly request, and not till then. CTJje JJerlo&teal press. Sartain’s Union Magazine. January, 1849. Philadelphia : John Sartain & Cos. The ‘Union Magazine,’ heretofore published at New York, and of which wc have frequently spoken in terms of praise, has been transferred to new hands and to anew place. It is now the property Os Messrs. Sartain & Sloanaker, of Philadelphia—the former of whom is so well known as the best engra ver in mezzotint this side the Atlantic. We doubt not that this change will be beneficial to the artistic reputation of the work ; and, as Mrs. Kirkland will still edit it, with the aid of Professor Hart, it will lose none of its merit in the Literary Department. Two of Sartain’s fine mezzotints embellish the ini tial number for the coming year, which has reached us before the number for the current month —which may, however, he the result of an oversight. We find it difficult to pronounce on the compara tive merits of the Union and its older Philadelphia rivals. They are all beautiful, and each one is stri ving to outstrip the others. We cordially wish them all success. There is room enough for them in our vast territory. The ‘ Union’ has papers from many distinguished authors —among whom we may mention several prominent clergymen, the Rev. Drs. Bethune, Todd, Furness and Barnes—a goodly company, truly— who, with Messieurs Street, Tuckerman, Neal, Chandler, Peterson and Hosmer, and Mesdames Kirkland, Sigourney, Osgood, Ellet and others — must lend unusual interest to its pages. ©ur 3300 u Publishers and Authors who desire to have their Books noticed in this Gazette are requested to send cop. ies to Editor through Stringer k Townsend, New-York or Carey k Hart, Philadelphia. Alderbrook — A Collection of Fanny Forrester’s Village Sketches, Poems, &c. By Miss Emily ('hubbuek. In 2 vols, 12m0., pp. 276, 262. Sixth Edition. Boston : Win. D. Ticknor & Cos. This is one of thoso charming books which well deserve a plaee in every family library, and which has already won a place in thousands of hearts.— The Sketches comprised in these beautiful volumes are so full of grace and tenderness —so pure in their style, and so elevated in their tone, that none can read them without delight and profit. We hazard little in saying that tho touching story of “ Grace Linden,” which properly leads the collection, is scarcely surpassed in beauty by anything in the works of Maria Edgeworth or Mary Russel Mitford. There are a great many other Sketches in the vol umes that deserve special praise, but we will not deal in particulars, when all arc so admirable, Tho authoress of “ Alderbrook” is now a self-de nying, zealous missionary of the Cross, in Asia, and as Mrs. Judson, has written many very charming things. She is best known, however, under her nomme deplume— and however honored may bo the revered name she now bears, that of “ Fanny For rester” will bo cherished Avith pride and pleasure by her friends and readers. History of Charles the First, of England.— By Jacob Abbott. One vol. New York: Harper & Brothers. The young people of the present day will scarcely need to be urged to study History, when it is pre sented to them in such attractive guise as this and the kindred volumes by Mr. Abbott. The little work under notice is as beautiful as any dainty Sou venir—type, paper, engravings and the binding, all lending their aid to increase its attraction. The narrative is in tho usual graphic style of the author, adapted by its simplicity and elegance to win the attention of the reader. The subject of the book —if indeed a king can be called a subject —was one of England’s most remarkable monarchs, and the period of his reign—lasting about twenty-four years —was marked by many great events, llis trial and execution constitute one of the most thrilling episodes in English history. We earnestly recommend Mr. Abbott’s historical Series to the attention of the parents and to our young readers who make their own selections. The Thousand and One Nights, or the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments: Translated and Abridg ed for Family Reading. With Explanatory Notes. By E. W. Lane, Esq. In 2 vols. 12tn0., pp. 587 and 572. New York: Harper & Brothers. Oh, ye happy children, to whose lot it shall fall to become possessors of this magnificent copy of a book which, in the power to fascinate and delight the youthful imagination, never has been, and probably never will be, surpassed! Have you counted as a treasure some abridged and sadly mutilated copy of the Arabian Nights, printed on dingy paper, and disfigured by a few miserable wood cuts 1 What will be your happiness when you can call your own this perfect copy, in two volumes, with an exquisite engraving on almost every page! The “Arabian Nights” is a work that belongs to the world. Wherever humanity exists, there will this great and many-colored panorama of Fancy find thousands of eager admirers. The gorgeous scenes —the daring exploits—the magical metamor phoses which are detailed therein, are but exagge rated pictures of human life, to the intelligent mind. Most sincerely do wo thank the publishers for these charming volumes. With somewhat of the zest of boyhood have we turned their treasure-laden pages, and gazed, now upon the wonderful Tower of Brass, with the gates of gold, or the terrible Genie issuing from one of Solomon’s bottles —and anon, upon the Afritc carrying off the beautiful Bedred din —or the golden lamp of Aladdin. There, also, is the good old woman with the crate —the wag, Abon Ilassan, seated at the table and attended by the ten beautiful slaves—and the lazy Abon Mohammed falling headlong from the sky into the sea! Oh! ye days of happy, careless childhood —when even our wonted meals could scarcely draw us away I from the mountain of loadstone —when we thought i no music could possibly equal the melody of the lute , of Enis Eljelis—and when, above all, we trembled with an indefinable apprehension, lest, after all the ! beautiful stories which the lovely Shcherazade re lated to King Shahriar, she should yet fall a victim to the custom of her cruel husband. We have lived over again hours of happiness in these reminiscences, j and many a time and oft shall we recur to the illus trated “ Arabian Nights” with thankfulness that we have not lost our youthful relish for their charm- j ing extravagancies. It would be superfluous, perhaps, to add that the translation by Mr. Lane is in every respect admira ble, and his occasional notes contribute much to the value of the work. The Life and Voyages of Christot’Tie'R Colitm bus : 1 o which are added those of his Companion*. By Washington Irving. Vol. I, 12ma, pp. 487- New York: Leo. I*. l’utnam. This is the third volumo of Putnam’s admirable edition of Irving’s complete works, revised by the au thor, and issued in a style worthy of their excellence. Os the historical merits of the work before us, the very best evidence that can be adduced is the testi mony of Navarette, the Spanish Biographer of Co lumbus, who says : “Ho has been enabled to give bis history that fullness, impartiality and exactness, which mnko it much superior to those of the writer* who preceded him. To this ho adds his regular method and convenient distribution—his style ani mated, pure and elegant.” Tho distinguishing characteristic of Irving’s wri tings, is purity of style, llis language is always chaste and appropriate, and when the interest of his themes belongs to the real rather than to the idotil, there is, yet, such a charm of elegance and beauty thrown around them, that they delight the reader scarcely less than tho purely imaginative works of his pen, while their actual historical value addsvast ly to their dignity as exhibitions of their author’s genius. When tho second volume of the work ap pears [in January next] wo shall have something more to say of its biographical merits. The Psalmist, anew Collection of Hymns for the use ot Baptist Churches. With a Supplement by Rev. Richard Fuller and Rev. J. B. Jeter, pp. 768. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. A frequent use of this collection of Ilymns for up wards of three years, entitles us to speak confidently of its character, and wo do not hesitate to pronounce it, without exception, tho most admirable compila tion in use. This, wo are aware, is saying much for it, when tho excellence of such books as “ Psalm* and Hymns,” “ Watts and Rippon” and others is considered, but we arc satisfied that nono of thoso equal, in all the requisites of a good Ilyran Book, the Psalmist. It has been compiled by men of poet ical taste—the most beautiful Ilymns have been carefully selected—errors of versification avoided, and above all, obscurity of meaning, bad taste, and false sentiment, have been jealously excluded. It iw a delightful collection of Ilymns for public and for social worship, and richly merits the unexampled favor it has already met with. Modern Geography, for the use of Schools, upon anew Plan —Illustrated with Maps and Engra vings. By R. M. Smith. One vol. 4to. Phila delphia: Grigg, Elliott & Cos. Wc have such a profusion of new text books, in all departments of knowledge, that it is a difficult matter to keep pace with them. To improvement, however, we certainly cannot object, and tho author of this work claims to have made some in his plan of teaching Geography. The text, with tho maps and engravings, are on the same pages, and compre hensive questions arc placed in side columns—by which plan, space is saved, and the subject brought into greater compactness. The work appears to have been carefully compiled, and its cheapness com mends it to the public favor. Orthofiiony ; or tho Cultivation of the Voice, in Elocution: A Manual of Elementary Exercises, adapted to Dr. Rush’s “ Philosophy of the Human Voice” and the system of vocal culture introduced by Mr. James E. Murdoch. Compiled by Wil liam Russell, with Supplement on Purity of Tone bv G. J. Webb, Professor Boston Academy of Music. Improved edition, one vol. 12mo. Bos ton: Wm, L). Ticknor k Cos. We have quoted the title-page of this work, in full, as tho best exponent of its peculiar claims upon the teacher and the student. Its merits arc decided —and we know ot no more thoroughly philosophical and, at tho same time, practical treatise on Elocu tion. It is admirably adapted, we conceive, to im part a knowledge of the principles of Orthofiiont, or right speaking , to tho student, without the aid of a teacher—though this, by no means, diminishes its value as a text-book in high Schools and Colleges. Count De la Porte’s Text Books —L A French Grammar, upon a New and Improved Plan.— Third Edition. 2. A Self-Teaching Reader, for the Study of tho Pronunciation of the French Language —Second Edition. 3. Speaking Exer cises, for the Illustration of the Rules and Idioms of the French Language—Third Edition. Each one vol. 12mo. Boston: Wm. D. Ticknor & Cos. The Count De la Porte is a Teacher of the French Language in Harvard University, where his book* are used as the manuals of instruction. A baro an nouncement of this fact ought to be sufficient guar antee of the excellence of the system they unfold.— Tho “ Grammar” is very copious and perspicuous. The “ Reader” is particularly valuable for the aid it affords the tyro in pronunciation. The “ Speaking Exercises” are novel, and, we think, exceedingly well calculated to impart to the student a happy fa cility in translating tho French into English, or vice versa. The exercises are given in English and French both, the latter, in its idiomatic construction, by the side of the former—leaving it for the pupil to arrange the French words by the rules of the Gram mar. A “ Key” to the Exercises adds complete t to the work. 247