This e-book was generously made available by FadedPage.com (http://www.fadedpage.com) Transcriber’s note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). LETTERS FROM A LANDSCAPE PAINTER. By the Author of “Essays for Summer Hours.” (CHARLES LANMAN) Gentlemen, let not prejudice prepossess you. I confess my discourse is like to prove suitable to my recreation,—calm and quiet. Izaak Walton. Boston: James Munroe and Company. MDCCCXLV. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, by Charles Lanman. in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. Boston: Printed by Thurston, Torry and Co. 31 Devonshire Street. CRITICAL NOTICES OF LANMAN’S “ESSAYS FOR SUMMER HOURS.” _By John Neal, Esq._ “A book of two hundred and fifty pages, containing some twenty essays or thereabouts,—and perhaps more,—upon all sorts of pilgrimages: upon the woods and the city, Morning and Evening, the Dying Year, Literature, Mirth and Sadness, the Early Called, the Painter’s Dream, &c., &c., &c.; written with great simplicity and sweetness,—untainted with affectation, except in two or three slight instances,—original, tender, and at times absolutely touching.” _From the N. Y. Evening Post, Edited by W. C. Bryant._ “The volume, of which we have copied the title, is composed of essays on various subjects, the fruit, as the author tells us, of the leisure of last summer. They are agreeably written, with a vein of poetic embellishment.” _From the Democratic Review._ “‘Essays for Summer Hours,’ is the title of a pleasing little tome, by Charles Lanman, comprising a series of sketches of American scenery, interspersed with poetical allusions to incidents and characters which are very harmoniously blended, and agreeably presented. We hope this work will prove successful, and form the precursor of many other contributions to our elegant literature from the same pen.” _From the Southern Literary Messenger._ “This well printed, and handsome little volume, embraces a series of eighteen essays; the most of them founded in American scenery and associations. Some of the topics are furnished by the West, the native place of the young author; he has certainly done justice to the fresh scenes that are spread out in that interesting portion of the country. The talent of the writer is descriptive; he has painted, with remarkable fidelity and beauty, some of the most striking points of Western life. His language is chaste and well selected; and many of the moral reflections, growing out of the several subjects which he has selected for his essays, are expressed in an exceedingly interesting and even touching manner.”