Were we looking for faults, doubtless we should be able to find them, for who is faultless? But that is not our aim. Yet would we suggest to the author that the use of the word _dulce_ in stanza six, is somewhat forced,--and though a sweet word in itself, is yet "like sweet bells jangled, harsh, and out of tune," on account of its rarity, which induces the reader to note its strangeness rather than to admire its application. The whole book abounds with proofs of _Mellen's_ fine musical ear, and therefore does it seem to us a fault that he should have suffered the compositor to do him the injustice of printing such a line as this. "Before ill-starr'd Dunsinane's waving wood!" But it is for the minor, or shorter pieces which the volume contains, that it is most highly to be valued. _Mellen_ is delightful in his "occasional poems." Take the following, addressed to one of the sweetest singers, whose strains, like angel-harmonies from heaven, ever floated upon the rapt ear of the poet, as a proof. TO HELEN. Music came down from Heaven to thee, A spirit of repose-- A fine, mysterious melody, {404} That ceaseless round thee flows; Should Joy's fast waves dash o'er thy soul, In free and reckless throng, What Music answers from the whole, In thy resistless song! Oh! Music came a boon to thee, From yon harmonious spheres; An influence from eternity, To charm us from our tears! Should Grief's dim phantoms then conspire To tread thy heart along, Thou shalt but seize thy wavy lyre, And whelm them all in song! Yes, thine's a blest inheritance, Since to thy lips 'tis given, To lure from its long sorrows hence The spirit pall'd and riven! Go, unto none on earth but thee Such angel tones belong; For thou wert born of melody, Thy soul was bath'd in song! There are many such, as, for instance, "To Sub Rosa," "Death of Julia," "The Eagle," "The Bugle," "_To Gabriella R----, of Richmond_," &c. &c. Mellen is distinguished for his lyric powers. His Odes are all very fine. That "To Music," in the volume before us, is deserving of particular mention, as indeed are those "To Shakspeare," "To Byron," "To Lafayette," and others, written on several public occasions. The volume has but one general fault, and that is, its deficiency in the lighter and gayer strain, in which we have private proofs that Mellen certainly excels. It were to be regretted that the poet did not throw into his collection some touches of that delicate and graceful humor, which none can more happily hit off than himself. The general tone of the volume is grave, if not indeed severe--though relieved by many exquisite verses like those already alluded to, and of which the following may serve as another specimen. TO SUB ROSA.