Graham's Magazine, Vol. XX, No. 1, January 1842Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XX, No. 1, January 1842
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
We believe that Mr. Albert Pike has never published his poems in book
form; nor has he written anything since 1834. His “Hymns to the Gods,”
and “Ode to the Mocking Bird,” being printed in Blackwood, are the chief
basis of his reputation. His lines “To Spring” are, however, much better
in every respect, and a little poem from his pen, entitled “Ariel,” and
originally published in the “Boston Pearl,” is one of the finest of
American compositions. Mr. Pike has unquestionably merit, and that of a
high order. His ideality is rich and well-disciplined. He is the most
_classic_ of our poets in the best sense of the term, and of course his
classicism is very different from that of Mr. Sprague—to whom,
nevertheless, he bears much resemblance in other respects. Upon the
whole, there are few of our native writers to whom we consider him
inferior.
His MS. shows clearly the spirit of his intellect. We observe in it a
keen sense not only of the beautiful and graceful but of the
picturesque—neatness, precision and general finish, verging upon
effeminacy. In force it is deficient. The signature fails to convey the
entire MS. which depends upon masses for its peculiar character.
[Illustration: signature of James McHenry]
Dr. James McHenry, of Philadelphia, is well known to the literary world
as the writer of numerous articles in our Reviews and lighter journals,
but, more especially, as the author of “The Antediluvians,” an epic poem
which has been the victim of a most shameful cabal in this country, and
the subject of a very disgraceful pasquinade on the part of Professor
Wilson. Whatever may be the demerits, in some regard, of this poem,
there can be no question of the utter want of fairness and even of
common decency which distinguished the Phillipic in question. The writer
of a _just_ review of the “Antediluvians”—the only tolerable American
epic—would render an important service to the literature o his country.
Dr. McHenry’s MS. is distinct, bold and simple, without ornament or
superfluity. The signature well conveys the idea of the general hand.
[Illustration: signature of R. S Nichols]
Mrs. R. S. Nichols has acquired much reputation of late years, by
frequent and excellent contributions to the Magazines and Annuals. Many
of her compositions will be found in our pages.
Her MS. is fair, neat and legible, but formed somewhat too much upon the
ordinary boarding-school model to afford any indication of character.
The signature is a good specimen of the hand.
[Illustration: signature of Rich^{d} A Locke]
Mr. Richard Adams Locke is one among the few men of _unquestionable
genius_ whom the country possesses. Of the “Moon Hoax” it is
supererogatory to say one word—not to know _that_ argues one’s self
unknown. Its rich imagination will long dwell in the memory of every one
who read it, and surely if
the worth of any thing
Is just so much as it will bring—
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