From the New Hampshire Patriot. just criticisms. The publisher of a newspaper or journal Southern Literary Messenger.-In acknowledging our of any kind, should never feel hurt, as a caterer for the obligations to the publisher for the above work, we public appetite, if some of those to whom they minister cannot do less than express our unqualified approba- should growl and find fault. He ought not to claim pretion of the character, contents and design of the Mes-emption over all other men, but should be satisfied if senger. We have often seen it favorably noticed by he occasionally received an approving nod. It is always our brethren of the corps editorial, as among the first a strong evidence of a want of force of mind to fly in a monthly magazines in this country-by some even passion at the suggestions of a friend, when they are placed at the head of the list-but it is only by an ex-disposed to disapprove of our acts, although they may amination and perusal of the numbers before us, that be unjust. We make these preliminary remarks in we have learned to appreciate the justness of their allusion to a hasty notice we took of the April number praise. The correctness, neatness, beauty and elegance of the Messenger, which the publisher was polite enough of its typographical execution and appearance, not less to send us. Our time is generally much occupied, and than the rich and attractive guise thrown over its pages we perhaps gave that number and others which have by the combined union of wit, genius and learning there- been occasionally handed us by a friend, rather a hasty in displayed, certainly surpass any thing to be met with perusal. We felt then, as we do now, that the editor's in any similar periodical within our knowledge. We criticisms were unnecessarily, perhaps, strictly severe have not space to detail its particular merits, and will in some instances. The eagle who towers above all only remark generally in the words of another, that the other birds, and even dares to look upon the sun, would contributions, prose and poetical, are of a high grade of not, unless hard pressed, condescend to notice the earthexcellence, the critiques precisely what they should be ly flutterings of a tomtit-he aspires to higher game. in such a work-faithful mirrors, reflecting in miniature We may have done the editor injustice; and we the book reviewed, and exposing alike its beauties and hardly expected him to send us another number-but deformities without favor or affection. We should be perhaps, in his youthful days, he has read the fable of glad to enrich our columns by transferring to them seve-the gnat and the ox-whether he did or did not, we feel ral articles from the Messenger-perhaps hereafter we obliged to him for the May number. may be enabled to do so. At present we can only commend it to the countenance and patronage of our literary friends.

From the Charleston Courier.

We have always freely accorded to Mr. White almost unrivalled excellence as a printer, and we now as freely accord to him the most unqualified praise for the matter as well as the manner of his last number.

The Southern Periodicals.—We have received the April number of "The Southern Literary Messenger." It contains, among other articles of interest, a highly in-that genious attempt to show that Maelzel's Chess Player is not a pure machine, but regulated by mind-by a human agent concealed within it.

From the Louisville City Gazette.

From the Columbia (S. C.) Times. We acknowledge the receipt of the May number of chaste and interesting publication, the "Southern Literary Messenger," published by T. W. White, Richmond, Va. It undoubtedly contains more matter, for the price, than any other southern publication, and in style, is altogether unlike the mawkish effusions denominated "literary" with which our community is so liberally inundated.

From the New Hampshire Patriot. The Southern Literary Messenger, for April, has just reached us, and though rather late in the day, we cannot omit observing that it is excellent-well sustaining the high reputation of its predecessors. We renewedly commend the work to the favor of our literary friends, as one every way deserving their patronage-in many respects unrivalled by any similar publication in the country.

The Southern Literary Messenger is the title of a periodical, published at Richmond, Virginia, that has no superior, either in the taste and genius of its contributors, or the beauty of its mechanism. Its criticisms are prepared with peculiar justness and acumen-not leaning to the side of mercy, and throwing a protecting veil over the sins and faults of others, but plainly pointing them out-not screening the errors of a friend, or sparing the tender places of an enemy. Such guardians we want to preserve the vigor of American Literature. There are some nurses so tender and so indulgent, that the children under their tutelage, either die of a surfeit From the Winchester Virginian. of sweets, or languish through their too great care and Southern Literary Messenger.-We have just received tenderness. This will never be the case with our lite-the April No. of this work, but have barely had time to rature while guarded by such vigilant sentinels as the read the article on "Maelzel's Chess Player," which Southern Literary Messenger. happened to arrest our attention on opening the book. It is exceedingly well written and interesting. The table of contents holds out quite a tempting bill of fare.

We had an opportunity, while conducting a periodical in a neighboring city, of seeing some of the earlier numbers of the Messenger, and on such occasions expressed the gratification and pleasure enjoyed in their perusal. And it is not only well sustained, but improves. Lionel Granby is kept up with spirit. Edgar A. Poe sprinkles his gems among the leaves of the Messenger. George H. Calvert, Esq. of the same city, freights it with the researches of ripe scholarship in the lore of German Literature. The May number is excellent, and we shall recur to it often, before it gives place to

its successor.

From the Richmond Whig.

of this periodical has just appeared. Though not perThe Southern Literary Messenger-The May number haps equal to some of the preceding numbers, it is far, very far from being deficient either in entertainment or instruction. As all the supporters of this work, and indeed the public generally, have a deep interest in its reputation, it is not only right, but a duty, to pass an various excellences, and to point out in the spirit of occasional judgment upon its merits-to commend its liberal criticism, such faults as may be perceived to exist. The Messenger, to be extensively and permanently popular, must mingle the useful with the sweet. It must not only mirror the burning thoughts and glow. From the Oxford Examiner. ing images which teem in the world of fancy, but also Southern Literary Messenger.-He who assumes to condescend an occasional visit to this dull planet, the himself the province of amusing and instructing man-Earth. It must mix familiarly with ordinary mortals, kind for "a consideration," is amenable at all times to take some interest in their concerns, and lend a helping

a

We are indebted to Mr. White, the publisher, for his present, and assure him he could not have sent us budget which would have been received by us with more pleasure.

very laborious study-but popular literature_should never levy so severe a tax upon its subjects. The paper on "American Social Elevation," contains many just thoughts and patriotic reflections, expressed in an unusually agreeable style-and the 4th No. of "Readings with my Pencil," is quite passable. The design of the writer is excellent, and deserves to be imitated. The "Critical Notices," though in themselves good, are not generally equal to the Editor's previous efforts. As it was however permitted to Homer sometimes to nod, so should the really gifted mind which presides over the Messenger, be allowed occasionally a little repose. Of the poetry, the writer of this brief notice will say nothing. Some of it is good-but he is but an indifferent judge.

hand in the struggles which are now making against | point of lustre." The meaning might be guessed at by power and corruption. Not that the Messenger should become a vehicle of mere party politics, but that the great principles of liberty should be boldly and steadily espoused by its conductors and those various and important measures which concern the welfare and happiness of the State, freely and frequently discussed in its pages. If the Star of this Republic, "the world's last hope," is destined to go down in darkness, corruption and misery, literature will either follow its fate, or be no longer worth cultivating or preserving. As essentially connected with the great cause of civil liberty, sound morals ought also to find in the Messenger a constant and able advocate. Without freedom and virtue, it is difficult to conceive the existence in any community of a pure and exalted literary taste. Such articles as the "Hall of Incholese," by J. N. McJilton, are popular only with a small number of rea- From the New York Weekly Messenger. ders, and are not calculated to increase the moral reputation of the Messenger. The introduction of which this periodical has received from all parts of the Southern Literary Messenger-The high encomiums the Evil One, as a familiar in human society-as a social companion in scenes of revelry, has rather a ten-with the five first numbers of the current (second) volUnion, it most richly deserves. We have been favored dency to throw an air of ridicule upon the truths of Divine Revelation. Milton indeed pierced the myste-ume, and have had an intellectual feast in the perusal of rious vei! which shrouds the monarch of darkness, but many articles contained therein. To express our opinion Milton's Satan, "high on his throne of state," is invest-candidly of the talents and erudition of the worthy editor ed with a sublime terror which forbids the approaches of of this monthly, would expose us to the charge of plalevity, and leaves behind it no impression inconsistent giarism, because it would be exactly similar to half a with revealed truth. No similar exception, however, of approbation. What shall we do then? To go through hundred others, who have preceded us in expressions can be taken to any other article in the present number and examine every article in five numbers, is more than of the Messenger. The MSS. of Franklin are interesting remains of that great man-interesting as illus- we have space for. But we must-we feel bound to trations of the strong common sense which peculiarly say, Virginians especially are indebted to Mr. White distinguished him. "Lionel Granby" is one of the best for his unprecedented literary zeal. He ought to meet chapters which has appeared under that title. A novel but there should be an effort made to sustain the underwith encouragement; in short, we believe he does,however, published at intervals in the pages of a monthly miscellany, necessarily loses by that circumstance taking, by a continually increasing list of paying sub

much of its interest. The author of "Odds and Ends"

has attempted with much humor and effect, a new moral classification of that strange compound animal called Man. His satire is for the most part just, and his style racy and agreeable. "Random Thoughts," saving and excepting one or two smutty allusions, are excellent. They have an air of freshness and originality, which is quite delightful, considering how little can be said which is new upon any subject. The Lecture on "German Literature," by Mr. Calvert of Baltimore, now for the first time published, is highly creditable to its author. It evinces much classical taste, combined with a spirit of philosophical criticism. Mr. Calvert is sometimes, however, careless in his style, or rather in the formation of his sentences, which a good writer should study to avoid; and the great literary sin of this country, a propensity to bombast-is discernible in some parts of his lecture. Take for example the following passage, "John Wolfgang Goethe, was born at Frankfort on the Maine, in 1749, ten years before Schiller. 'Selectest influences,' leagued with nature, to produce this wonderful man. To give its complete development to a mighty inward power, outward circumstances were most happily propitious. Upon faculties of the quickest sensibility, and yet of infinitely elastic power-wide convulsions and worlddisturbing incidents bore with tempestuous force, dilating the congenial energies of the young genius who suddenly threw out his fiery voice to swell the tumult round him, and announce the master spirit of the age." This would certainly be a very unfair specimen of the general character of the lecture, and it is the more surprising, that such a sentence should have escaped the vigilance of the author. The slightest departure from the simplest mode of expression, if it does not degenerate into bombast, is almost certain to be attended by a certain degree of obscurity. The author of the "Hall of Incholese," is himself not free from this blemish. The following passage is entirely unintelligible: "The Spanish minister was married; but a star on the fashionable horizon higher than the vesta of his own choice, prompted the proffer of his help, in the establishment of a medium

scribers.

filled with rich literary food once a month, they should If our friends in the city or country wish their table published by T. W. White, Richmond, Va. There is immediately order "The Southern Literary Messenger,” one article to which we object, the burlesque, or caricature, not criticism, on Fay's "Norman Leslie," but in making only one objection, we think much is said for the periodical, more than can be said of any other of the monthlies. We really do think it is as good as any, if not the very best in these United States. We think so the numbers of the first volume, we would have them highly of the Richmond "Messenger," that if we had neatly bound, and placed in our library as a literary

treasure.

From the Norfolk Herald.

The Southern Literary Messenger for May very gallantly holds it own. The manuscripts of Franklin' are well worth publishing. The chapter of Lionel Granby introduces us into the bodily presence of Lamb and Coleridge, and the ragged regiment of folios and quartos pass The Lecture on German Litera in review before us. ture, by Mr. Calvert of Baltimore, is a very entertaining discourse on the history of the poetry and philosophy of that wonderful people; but it is clear that the author of the lecture has paid more attention to the German than to the English and those languages from which the English flows. The paper of Oliver Oldschool is worthy of its author, and we were happy to see the story of Tang Lang' appended as a foot-note. The critical notices are very good for the most part; but then we could hardly expect Mr. Poe to be sour ere the honey moon be past. What has become of the remaining numbers of the series of articles on the distinctive differences of the sexes from the pen of one of the strongest writers of the Commonwealth? We sincerely hope, that, after such a fair beginning, the theme has not proved too mighty-if it has, the author may henceforth ponder well on the advice of Horace. Still we are on the look out for the essays.