The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, June 1844: Volume 23, Number 6Various
General
The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, June 1844: Volume 23, Number 6
Various
Periodicals
taste, who had wandered by the Rhine, were acquainted with his reputation,
and in some degree with his productions. EMERSON doubtless must have been
aware of his renown; Professor FELTON of course had read him as often as
he has HOMER; JONES, WILKINS, and F. SMITH had studied him with delight.
The 'Dial,' a journal of much repute, had even spoken openly, we are told,
of his success in Europe. Mr. W. E. CHANNING, the poet, had evidently but
perhaps unconsciously imitated his peculiar viscidity of style, and (if we
may use such an expression.) extreme flakiness of thought. But in spite of
these few exceptions to the general indifference, let it stand recorded,
that when the name of SEATSFIELD returned to his own shore, it was an
alien and unmeaning word. His own country, so deeply indebted to his
powerful pen, absolutely knew him not. The literati stared, and the Boston
Advertiser was struck aghast with wonder. What a comment upon the state of
letters in America! 'Literary Emporium,' forsooth! 'Western Athens!'
Medici of Manhattan! how grossly we Yankees do misapply titles! It was the
very 'Literary Emporium' itself that was most astounded at the
newly-discovered mine. SEATSFIELD'S name had overspread civilized Europe;
his productions had been dramatized at Munich and Bucharest; they had been
translated into Russian and Turkish; the Maltese mariner had learned to
solace himself with his 'Twilight Helmsman's Hymn,' and the merchants of
Syra and Beyrout adorned their mansions with his bust; yet Boston,
New-York, and Philadelphia had never heard his name! In the lack of more
minute information with regard to this remarkable man, perhaps the
following page or two from a traveller's journal may prove acceptable to
the public. The absolutely total obscurity of the subject in America, may
also, it is hoped, serve as an apology for the openness of detail and
apparent breach of etiquette in regard to private intercourse.
* * * * *
'It has been my fortune to spend a day in company with the man who of all
men has done the most to illustrate our manners and character; yet who,
strange to say, is less known than 'Professor' INGRAHAM. As it was then my
fortune to speak _with_ him; I now consider it my duty to speak _of_ him,
and to do what little I am able, to extend his name among his compatriots.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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