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Ourself, but not Selfish.
The relation of an Editor to his readers is of that
nature which not only warrants, but requires him,
to hold occasional conference with them touching
his plans for their gratification. We shall claim
tiherefore, to say a few words, at this time, concern,
ing the second year of fhc Gazette.
It is, perhaps, needless to inform our readers that
literary enterprizes in the South are, generally
speaking, of no doubtful issue. Failure has hereto
fore been written upon every one, from the most
humble to the most ambitious We have, however,
clearly demonstrated, in a previous article, that
such failure is not a natural consequence of literary
effort in the South, but is, primarily, chargeable to
either mismanagement or a lack of energy on the
part of concerned. That the people are not to
blame, for withholding altogether, or bestowing
sparingly and tardily, their patronage upon many
well-conccived undertakings, we will not assert: it
would do violence to our conscience. Still, there is
such a thing as commanding the support of the peo
ple, aud the secret of doing this is the talisman of
success —unfortunately hidden from the majority of
literary undertakers in the South.
With no unreasonable pride do we flatter ourself
that we have, at last, discovered this talisman, and
with no vain boasting do we assure our readers that
wc shall not, hereafter, ask their support because
our paper is the only Journal of the kind iTi the
South —a fact of which we have occasion to be
proud —but because its actual intrinsic excellence
entitles it to their approbation We shall make the
second volume of our Gazette equal to the best
American Journal of its class. It will be modelled
after no existing pattern, it is true, but unique in
its arrangements and appearance : it will yet com
bine all the attractions which can be reasonably
supposed to centre in one Journal.
In proposing to divest it of its already well-known
and widely-honored name, we have felt no small de
gree of reluctance, and it is due to our readers that
we explain the motives which have influenced us in
our decision. We shall drop the epithet of Southern
from our leading title, in accordance with the advice
of many esteemed friends, because it seems to appeal
to a sectional feeling for the support which it ought
to receive from higher considerations. We part
with the term literary with earnest regret, because
we are convinced that a purely Literary Journal is
not, at present, the best instrument for accomplish
ing the end we propose —the diffusion of intelligence
and pure tastes among all classes of the people. To
our sad experience, we have learned that scores and
hundreds of persons consider a Intcrary Gazette as
something altogether unnecessary to them. ‘ They
are not literary, and never expect to he!’ The
numerical relation which this clas3 bears to the lit
erary portion of community has admonished us that,
to preserve the exclusive literary character of tho
Gazette, would be limit its circulation to a barely
sustaining point —whereas, we desire, and, what is
more, we design, that it shall command a circulation
of as many thousands as it now numbers hundreds.
The new series will be, in the broadest sense of
the term, a Family Newspaper. It shall be the
companion of the parents and of the children —sought
eagerly by all, when they gather around the fire
side, or upon the vine-shadowed piazza. It will be
a mirror of the world—a panorama of the present —
in which all events of real interest may be seen.
While we thus pledge its comprehensiveness, we dis
tinctly avow our purpose to exclude from its columns
whatever is partizan in politics or sectarian in reli
gion; and jealously to guard against the admission
of any article that can bring a blush to the cheek of
modesty, or a pang to the bosom of virtue! Every
good cause —every holy cause —shall have our wil
ling, earnest, unflinching advocacy: but may our
hand perish, before it administers one atom to the
scale of irreligion and vice, which gives fearful indi
cations of preponderance in our day.
We shall secure additional aid in every depart
ment of our Journal—the aid of practical men in the
News columns, and of the best writers in the walks
of Literature. The New York Letters will be con
tinued, as heretofore, weekly—and Correspondents
will be engaged in Philadelphia and Boston. Occa
sional Letters from California and Europe will be
communicated to the Gazette by “lookers on in
Venice.”
Marriages and deaths, far and near, within our
subscription range, will he carefulty recorded —and
all the gossip of the day, both domestic and foreign,
will he “ hashed up” expressly for our readers.
With this exposition, dear reader, of our plans
for the second year, we dismiss the subject—solicit
ing your earnest and immediate assistance to swell
our subscription list to a point commensurate with
the largeness of our intentions.
Medical Convention.
A Convention of Physicians will he held at the
City of Macon, on Tuesday, the 20th instant, for
ilie purpose of forming a State Medical Society, and
of adopting such measures as may be thought bene
ficial to the interests of the profession and to the ad
Qa a ‘ff BIE& (E ©&8ISIT IT g ♦
vancement of Medical Science. We doubt not that
important ends will be accomplished by the proposed
Convention, and cordially bid the profession God
speed in any efforts to elevate the standard of their
noble science in Georgia.
©ur Gossip €olumtx.
The “ Beaton Musical Gazette,” noticing the
fact that “Cato’s Soliloquy” has been set to music
by a Western music ian, recommends him to trj’ his
hand on the President’s Message! .... We
learn from the New \ork Day Book, that a young
lady recently made her first appearance in the choir
of Grace Church, ami was received with the most
distinguished approbation. .By this, we suppose
that she was greeted with clapping, and possibly
encored ! —a newel scene, certainly, for a professedly
Christian temple on a Christian Sabbath! . . . .
“ A tempest in a tea-pot” is not an inapt term to
characterize an excitement which has prevailed re
cently, among the literati of New York and New
England, concerning the Messrs. Harpers’beautiful
edition of Macaulay’s History of England. The
worthy re-publishers have incurred the indignation
of some parties, by conforming the orthography of
the hook to the standard of Mr Webster, which
Mr. Macaulay does not acknowledge They liav'e
left the u out of honour, valour, and kindred words
—transposed the final letters of sceptre, centre, &c.,
and made sundry similar changes in the spelling of
the words. For’this, they are charged with “ pre
sumption,” “impertinence,” “arrogance,” and
other equally pleasant things ; and what with their
explanation and the defence of their friends, the af
fair has made quite a sensation. For our oAvn part,
Ave should prefer to have had the Avork with Mr.
Macaulay’s orthography; but avc take it for grant
ed, that nine out of ten American readers prefer the
Websterian spelling even to plow fur plough; and,
at all events, the publishers have a sufficient apolo
gy for their course, in the exceedingly high reputa
tion of their adopted mode of spelling. Wc Avere,
at first, curious to know why this “tempest” Avas
raised —and, at length, the whole matter is explain
ed. The Messrs. Harper, like gentlemen and libe
ral publishers, as they unquestionably are, purchas
ed of the author the privilege of re-publishing his
work from advance sheets. This arrangement gives
them, in the estimation of all honorable publishers,
a sort of copy-right in the book, which could not he
infringed without some extraordinary reason. A
Boston house, wishing to reap some of the profits of
the wide sale Avhich the work is destined to have in
this country, announces another edition, in Avhich
the orthography of the author is to be strictly fol
lowed ; thus, under pretence of doing justice to a
great English author, interfering with the implied,
and, to some extent, actual right of the Messrs.
Harper, to reprint Macaulay. We hope the book
sellers will discourage this chicanery, by refraining
from ordering the Boston edition —and even if they
do not, that readers Avill take care not to purchase
it. We are sure, moreover, that they will not be
losers by doing justice in this matter, to Messrs.
Harper & Brothers, for they have issued the work
in a most beautiful style, at a very moderate rate,
which may safely challenge competition in any quar
ter We have been asked, since the visit
of the Steyermark ische Band to our town, whence
the hard name they bear is derived, and it has oc
curred to us, that possibly many readers may have
heard —or may yet hear —the exquisite music of
these minstrels, without knowing the origin of their
name. They are natives of a German-Austrian pro
vince, which we call Styria, hut which is properly
Steyer, or Steyermark. The Avestern portion of it
is entirely Alpine—being seperated from LoAver Aus
tria by the Styrian Alps. The Steyermarkische are
a brave and noble race, and within their mountain
glens, cherish the spirit and keep alive the fires of
Freedom. Bayard Taylor, in his “ Rhymes of Tra
vel,” has a fine poem entitled “ Steyermark,” from
which the reader will pardon us for making one or
tAvo extracts:
“In Steyermark—green Steyermark—
The fields are bright and the forests dark—
Bright with the maids that hind the sheaves,
Dark Avith the solemn arch of leaves !.
Voices and streams and sweet bells chime
Over the land, in the han'est-time,
And the blithest songs of the finch and lark
Are heard in the orchards of Steyermark.
******
In Steyermark—rough Steyermark,
The anvils ring from dawn till dark :
The molten streams of the furnace glare,
Blurring Avith crimson the midnight air;
The lusty voices of forgemen chord,
Chanting the ballad of “ Siegfried’s Sword,”
While ponderous hammers the chorus mark —
And this is the music of Steyermark !
How different from this was “ the music of Steyer
mark” to which it was our pleasure recently to lis
ten —so full of deep, impassioned melody, that it
stirred our very soul, and kindled in our heart the
liveliest emotions of delight Apropos of
music: the Minstrels—two brothers and a
sister —gave two Concerts in our town, since our last
number was issued, both of which Avere largely and
fashionably attended. The entertainments consist*
cd of songs, glees, duetts, trios, and choruses —rang-
ing from the grave to the gay—from the pathetic to
the comic. This unpretending troupe of minstrels
possesses much talent, and one of them is as good a
comic singer as wo liaA’e heard in along time. Sev
eral pieces, arranged by themselves, elicited much
approbation—and all Avho attended their Concerts
were agreeably entertained.
Notices to Correspondents.
G.—Your poem is received, and shall haA’C our
early attention.
C. W. B.—The MS. volume came safely.
Ludovic, —We are compelled to decline your
favor.
M. E. L.—We are anxious to hear from you.
Senex. —We shall take your suggestion into con
sideration.
S. of T.—Your communication is better adapted
to the “ Temperance Banner.” Shall we forward it 1
C. L.—Your poem entitled “ Woman” is on file j
for future decision.
2Tljc SJmcrican BmoMcal IJrcss.
Sartain’s Union Magazine, for March. Phila
delphia: J. Sartain & Cos.
At the last moment of grace for the present week,
avo received this elegant and beautiful Magazine;
and a hasty glance at its embellishments .and liter
ary contents has satisfied us that its proprietors are
acting in good faith to their subscribers, by fully re
deeming their alluring promise that the January
number of the Avork should be equalled, if not sur
passed, by subsequent issues. So, indeed, it is.
There are, in tho number before us, two of Sartain’s
exquisite Mezzotints—one tinted wood-cut of great
beauty—two other fine page-engravings of the hu
morous type —a colored fashion plate, (so indispen
sable to the “angels Avithout Avings,”)—and
various vignettes scattered through the number.
There is no lack of merit in the reading matter,
contributed by William and M:iry Howitt, Miss
Bremer, N. P. Willis, Mrs. Osgood, Mrs. Smith,
Mrs. Sigourney, Mrs. Kirkland, Dr. Bethune, and
others.
Terms—Three Dollars per annum; two copies for
Five Dollars.
The Spirit of the Times. NeAv York: John
Richards.
This popular and ‘ spirited’ Journal has just en
tered upon its nineteenth volume with undiminished
energy, and with no abatement of its mirth-provok
ing measures. Its “ Porter” is a very exhilarating
beverage, and not forbidden, we believe, even to the
S. ofT. May it go on, “ from prospering to pros
per.”
Godey’s Lady’s Book, for March, 1849.
Mr. Godey has a right to be proud of bis Maga
zine, for his exertions to lead all his contemporaries
are unremitting, and we are inclined to think that
they are equally successful. Tho March number
contains 72 pages—two fine Mezzotints, one line en
graving, a colored fashion plate, and a score of fine
Avood-cuts, besides. The principal articles are con
tributed by Miss Leslie, Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Neal, W.
G. Simms, Dr. Holmes, T. S. Arthur, and H. W.
Herbert. Mr. Godey deserves to have one hundred
thousand subscribers, and we hope he may. For
three dollars, sent in advance, a subscriber is enti
tled to the ‘Book,’ and to a semi-monthly paper,
called “The Toadies’ Dollar NeAvspaper,” Avhich we
have before spoken highly of.
American Reprints.
The Edinburgh Review. American Edition —
Vol. XXX, No. 1. New York: Leonard Scott
& Cos.
The splendid reputation achieved for this Review,
by the brilliant pen3 of Jeffrey, Smith and Ma
caulay, has not been forfeited, and its opinions of
books, men and measures, are as nearly oracular as
it is possible for opinions to be in this age of vaunted
liberty of thought and speech. We always open
the pages of the Edinburgh ReA’iew with a confi
dence of finding in them articles of unquestionable
merit, nor are wc ever greatly disappointed. Our
small leisure has allowed us to read only the leading
paper of the present quarter, Avhich is an able and
interesting review of the Order of the French Bene
dictine Monks, founded upon the “ Correspondence
inedite, de Mabillon et Montfaucon, avec L’ltalie,
by M. Valery.” To this celebrated Order, tho
Avorld is doubtless indebted for the perpetuity or es
tablishment of all the eminent schools of learning in
Modern Europe.
The other papers are as follows: The Progress of
Mechanical Invention, A Review of Charles Vernon,
The Diplomacy of Louis XIV and William 111, The
Saxons in England, The Punjab, Relief of Irish
Distress, and a Eulogy on the late Lord Melbourne.
Our readers need not to be informed, perhaps, that
this work is re-published at Three Dollars per an
num, and in connection with three other able trans
atlantic quarterlies, at Two Dollars. “ The force
of cheapness can no further go.”
©ur Book SMfilc.
Rhymes ok Travel, Ballads and Poems. By Bay
ard Taylor. One vol., 12mo. New York : Geo
P. Putnam. Wji. N. White, Athens.
Some time since, we noticed a volume of travel
entitled “Views Afoot, or Europe seen with Knap
sack and Staff.” Our clever pedestrian is an equal
ly clever poet, as his “ Rhymes of Travel’* will sat
isfy tho reader. This poet-pilgrim—a printer by
trade—has, quite suddenly, written himself into no
tice and favor. His quick appreciation of the pic
turesque, discernible iu CA'ery page of his “ Views
Afoot,” was an index of a poetical mind ; and if his
muse has not an exceedingly lofty or sustained flight,
her evolutions of wing are, at least, very graceful.—
There is something in these “ Rhymes of Travel.”
that wins our admiration, and Ave know not what
else it can be than the delicacy with Avhich they are
Avrought. Each poem is a picture, upon Avhich, the
artist has expended thought and labor—though not
sufficient of the latter to produce the effect of stiff
ness. The verse is floAving mul natural—sometimes,
indeed, marked with a delightful vigour. Then
are several spirited Ballads of California—some of
which, and particularly “ El Canalo,” wc admired
when they appeared in the pagesof our contempora
ry, the “Literary World.” Mr. Taylor will attain
distinction as a poet, if the promise so remarkable
in these first fruits of bis muse, is only half realized
in his future productions. To afford our readers a
specimen both of his style and spirit, we cannot,
perhaps, do better than to quote entire, a lyric en
titled
“ LITTLE PAUL.”
Through the curtains poured the sunlight
With a sudden gush of joy,
Where, upon his bed of weakness.
Lay the dying little boy.
On the rising airs of Evening
Balmy sounds of Summer came.
And a Voice amid their music
Seemed to call him by his name:
And the golden waves Avere dancing
On the flooded chamber-wall—
On tho sunny hair of Florence
And the brow of little Paul !
As the sunset’s tide, receding,
Ebbed again into the sky,
Passed tho faint hue from his features
And the lustre from his eye ;
As if up the rosy surges
Os that shining river’s flow,
Went his spirit to the Angel
\V ho had claimed it long ago !
Fonder still, and full of yearning,
Seemed to come her gentle call.
And the throb of life grew fainter
In the heart of little Paul!
But the fond arms of a sister
Like a link around him lay,
Chaining back his fluttering spirit
To tho love which was its stay ;
And his own iveak arms were foided.
In a clinging, dear embrace,
Till his cheek and dowy forehead
Bested gently on her face.
Slowly sank his weary eyelids ;
One faint breathing—that was all.
And no more the kiss of Florence
Thrilled the lips of little Paul!
The Lancashire Witches. A Romance of Pen
dle Forest. By W. Harrison AinsAVorth. New
York: Stringer & Townsend.
The scene of this novol is laid in the first half of
the sixteenth century, and as its name imports, it is
founded upon the somewhat memorable spell of
Avitchcraft which was supposed to prevail in Lan
cashire, and which brought to tho stake numbers of
miserable victims The author is fond of the dark
pictures which human life exhibits, and this, like
most of bis works, abounds with incidents more re
pulsive than winning. We confess to no admiration
of the “Jack Sheppard” school of romance, and
wonder that it should have acquired so large a pop
ularity.
The Life and Voyages of Christopher Colum
bus: To which are added those of his Compan
ions. By Washington Irving. Vol. 2, pp. 493,
with map. New York: Geo. R. Putnam. *
Mr. Putnam’s liberal enterprize in preparing a
uniform and beautiful edition of the works of Wash
ington Irving, is receiving its due reward in the
generous appreciation of American readers. Edi
tion after edition is called for, of the volumes alrea
dy issued. The one before us is the fourth of the
nniform series, and the second of Columbus—that
exquisite historical production, by which alone the
name ol Irving is stamped with an undying fame.
Os this work, we have already promised our read
ers a full notice, when the third and last volume is
issued. It is when we read such books as these,
that we feel the truth and force of the language of
Tupper:—
“ Great is the dignity of authorship.”
Thf. Prince, or George St. Julian. By Henry
Cockton. New York: Stringer & Townsend.
A book by the author of “Valentino Vox” and
“ Sylvester Sound,” can hardly be a dull one; and
if we may credit the English reviewers, “ The
Prince” is a very clever fellow, and his adventures
quite readable. We have not found leisure to do
more thau look at the introductory plates, and tu
glance over the chapter-headings of the volume,
waich promise very well.
335