The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 3, February, 1836Various
General
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 3, February, 1836
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
The Literary Herald, Borel (or rather, Mr. Bunting--we beg his pardon)
considered the paragon of perfection. No one could ever hope to be
distinguished in literature who was not a contributor to its columns.
It was the only sure medium through which young Ambition could make
its way to immortality. In short, (to use one of Bunting's favorite
words,) it was the "_nonpareil_" of learning, literature, wit,
philosophy, and science.
Mr. Bunting corresponded regularly with many distinguished individuals
in Europe. I called upon him one morning, just after the arrival of a
foreign mail, when he read me portions of seven letters which he had
just received. One was from Lafayette, another from Charles X., a
third from the author of a fashionable novel, a fourth from Miss
L----, a beautiful poetess in London, a fifth from a German count, a
sixth from an Italian prince, and a seventh from Stpqrstuwsptrsm, (I
vouch not for the orthography, not being so well acquainted with the
art of spelling as the learned Borel,) a distinguished Russian general
in the service of the great "Northern Bear."
The most unfortunate charge that was ever preferred against Borel, in
his editorial capacity, was that of _plagiarism_. He had inserted an
article in his paper over his acknowledged signature, entitled
"_Desultory Musings_," which some one boldly asserted was an extract
from Zimmerman on Solitude; and, upon its being denied by the editor,
reference was given to the identical page whence it was taken. These
things boded no good to the reputation of the scribe; nevertheless, he
continued his career without interruption, and, had he lived in the
days of Pope, the latter might well have asked,
"Who shames a scribbler? break one cobweb through,
He spins the slight, self-pleasing thread anew:
Destroy his fib or sophistry, in vain,
The creature's at his dirty work again--
* * * * *
Proud of a vast extent of flimsy lines."
Mr. Ulric now indulges us with another love affair, beginning as
follows: "Oh thou strange and incomprehensible passion! to what canst
thou be compared? At times thou art gentle as the zephyr; at others
thou art mighty as the tempest. Thou canst calm the throbbing bosom,
or thou canst fill it with wilder commotion. A single smile of thy
benign countenance calleth new rapture to the anguished heart, and
scattereth every doubt, every fear, every perplexity. But enough of
this." True.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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