sion. Some of his lines are unsurpassed in this respect. They so quietly unfold a great thought or magnificent image, that we are often taken by surprise. What a striking sense of mortality is afforded by the idea, "The oak

Shall send his roots abroad and pierce thy mould"!

Ilow grand the figure which represents the evening air, as

"God's blessing breathed upon the fainting earth" !

In the same poem he compares

"The gentle souls that passed away "

to the twilight breezes sweeping over a churchyard,

"Sent forth from heaven among the sons of men,

And gone into the boundless heaven again.”

And what can be more suggestive of the power of the winds than the figure by which they are said to

"Scoop the ocean to its briny springs"?

He would make us feel the hoary age of the mossy and gigantic foresttrees, and not only alludes to their annual decay and renewal, but ignificantly adds,

"The century-living crow,

Whose birth was in their tops, grew old and died."

To those who have never seen a prairie, how vividly does one spread before the imagination, in the very opening of the poem devoted to those "verdant wastes !

The progress of Science is admirably hinted in a line of The Ages, when man is said to

"Unwind the eternal dances of the sky."

Instances like these might be multiplied at pleasure, to illustrate the efficacy of simple diction, and to prove that the elements of real poetry consist in truly grand ideas, uttered without affectation, and in a rever. ent and earnest spirit.

A beautiful calm, like that which rests on the noble works of the sculptor, breathes from the harp of Bryant. He traces a natural phenomenon, or writes, in melodious numbers, the history of some familiar scene, and then, with almost prophetic emphasis, utters to the charmed ear a high lesson or sublime truth. In that pensive hymn in which he contrasts Man's transitory being with Nature's perennial life, solemn and affecting as are the images, they but serve to deepen the simple monition at the close.

In The Fountain, after a descriptive sketch that brings its limpid flow and flowery banks almost palpably before us, how exquisite is the chronicle that follows! Guided by the poet, we behold that gushing stream, ages past, in the solitude of the old woods, when canopied by the hickory and plane, the humming-bird playing amid its spray, and visited only by the wolf, who comes to "lap its waters," the deer who

leaves her "delicate footprint " on its marge, and the "slow-paced bear that stopped and drank, and leaped across." Then the savage war-cry drowns its murmur, and the wounded foeman creeps slowly to its brink to "slake his death-thirst." Ere long a hunter's lodge is built, "with poles and boughs, beside the crystal well," and at length the lonely place is surrounded with the tokens of civilization.

Thus the minstrel, even

"From the gushing of a simple fount,

Has reasoned to the mighty universe."

The very rhythm of the stanzas To a Waterfowl, gives the impression of its flight. Like the bird's sweeping wing, they float with a calm and majestic cadence to the ear. We see that solitary wanderer of the "cold thin atmosphere; " we watch, almost with awe, its serene course, until "the abyss of heaven has swallowed up its form," and then gratefully echo the bard's consoling inference.

But it is unnecessary to cite from pages so familiar; or we might allude to the grand description of Freedom, and the beautiful Hymn to Death as among the noblest specimens of modern verse. The great principle of Bryant's faith is that

"Eternal Love doth keep

In his complacent arms the earth, the air, the deep."

To set forth, in strains the most attractive and lofty, this glorious sentiment, is the constant aim of his poetry. Gifted must be the man who is loyal to so high a vocation. From the din of outward activity, the vain turmoil of mechanical life, it is delightful and ennobling to turn to a true poet, -one who scatters flowers along our path, and lifts our gaze to the stars, breaking, by a word, the spell of blind custom, so that we recognize once more the original glory of the universe, and bear again the latent music of our own souls. This high service has Bryant fulfilled. It will identify his memory with the loveliest nes of his native land, and endear it to her children forever.

Thoughts on the Poets.

NOTE TO SKETCH OF AMERICAN LITERATURE.

To the works of American authors above enn- | literature. To the complete edition of his writings, merated, the fifteen years which have since elapsed revised by his qwn hand in the pleasant autumn of have added characteristic and valuable materials. his life, and received by his countrymen with reBancroft's History of the United States has now newed evidences of sympathy and respect, have been reached its ninth volume, which brings the record added, since his decease, two volumes of uncollected far into the epoch of the Revolution. Emerson has papers consisting of Spanish legends, early contriadded English Traits, and The Conduct of Life, to butions to the newspaper press, and a few personal his series of essays; Longfellow, Hiawatha, Miles memoirs and reminiscences. William Hickling Standish, The Wayside Inn, Flower de Luce, and a Prescott closed his brief but brilliant literary career translation of Dante's Divina Commedia to his po- on the 28th of January, 1859. His last historical etical writings. Holmes has written a new volume work, Philip II., was left unfinished. James Paulof essays and a novel. Donald G. Mitchell has ding did not long survive the old friend and literary given to the public two pleasant volumes of rural comrade with whom he wrote Salmagundi; and essays - My Farm at Edgewood, and Wet Days at the best of this pioneer author's writings will soo3 Edgewood, a book of Traveller's Tules, and a novel be published in a revised and uniform series. of New England life- Dr. Johns. Bayard Taylor Theodore Parker died in Florence, Italy, May has published two American stories, Hannah Thurs- | 10, 1800. His latest work is entitled Theodore Parton, and the Story of Kenneth, and two poems, Theker's Experience as a Minister, with some Account Poet's Story, and The Picture of St. John. Sabine of his Early Life and Education for the Ministry➡ and Lossing have continued their popular historical an autobiographical narrative which throws much labors; Bushnell added to his philosophical exposi-light on the early influences and original endowtion of religious and social subjects; Higginsonments whose combination led eventually to his and Parkinan in prose, and Bryant, Whittier, and peculiar opinions and original course as a reformer Halleck in poetry, contributed new writings to the and theologian. For a complete understanding of nation's stock; while to the previous excellent trans- his career and character, however, which in many lations of the masterpieces of German literature by respects were exceptional, a perusal of his life and Charles T. Brooks, are to be added the Titan and correspondence is requisite.* Hesperus of Richter, the humorous Jobsiad, and Goethe's Faust.

Edward Everett, after the issue of three substantial volumes of orations, which, in view of both topics and treatment, may be justly regarded as of national value and significance, at the age of sixty traversed the United States to deliver his oration on the character of Washington, for the twofold patriotic purpose of allaying the sectional animosity which afterwards culminated in civil war, and to raise the funds requisite for the purchase of Mount Vernonthe home and tomb of Washington. During the civil conflict the eloquent voice and pen of Everett were constantly pleading and protesting for the Union, and, crowned with this final work of honor and patriotisin, he died on the 15th of January, 1865,

Ileury James has published a religious and metaphysical treatise called Substance and Shadow; George H. Calvert, a new volume of foreign travel and sojourn, entitled First Years in Europe, and an interesting essay, The Gentleman. William W. Story has embodied in a work with the title Roba di Roma, the results of long and patient observation of the habits, customs, and normal aspects of the Eternal City; and William D. Howell gives us a charming record of Venetian Life. James Jackson Jarves, in two substantial volumes, Art Studies, and the Art Idea, has imparted much general historical information and aesthetic philosophy in regard to the fine arts. Saxe, Aldrich, Street, Stoddard, Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Aken, Alice Carey, and other poetic writers have added fresh volumes to the library of American verse; while in the depart-the Marble Faun. After relinquishing the consulments of educational literature, political disquisition, theology, science, popular and juvenile books, adapted to wants of a vast and wide-spread population, the supply of new and desirable works has been constant, and, for the most part, creditable to the average taste, love of knowledge, and prevalent intelligence and rectitude.

Nathaniel Hawthorne, since the previous mention of his writings, passed a year in Italy, and gave to the public the graceful fruit of that sojourn in one of his most beautiful and characteristic romances

ship at Liverpool, and returning to Concord, Massachusetts, the results of his observation and reflection during several years' residence in England appeared in a delightful volume of local sketches entitled Our Old Home- in style, insight, descriptive skill and quiet humor, worthy of his artistic pen and genial yet subtle observation. Hawthorne died at Plymouth, New Hampshire, May 19, 1864, while on a journey for his health, which had gradually failed. He left a story of English life unfinished, and the passages from his note-books which have appeared

Since the preceding Sketch was written, the obituary record of our authors has withdrawn some of the earliest and most endeared. Washington Irving died on the 2th of November, 1859, in the ripeness of his age and fame, having, but a few months previous, finished the Life of Washington-his las The Life and Correspondence of Theodors and appropriate labor of love in the field of native | Parker, by John Weiss. New York, 1864.

In the Atlantic Monthly since his death, indicate the thoughtfulness with which he contemplated even the most familiar phenomena of life and nature, and the elaborate study whereby he prepared himself to interpret and illustrate them. The wayward yet studious career of Percival terminated in Illinois, soon after his geological survey of Wisconsin, May 2, 1836. Many of his poems have obtained a merited popularity; and the eccentricities growing out of his sensitive organization, independent spirit, and scientific zeal, are well set forth in the recently published Life and Letters of the gifted but perverse poet.*

Robert S. Lowell has published a local romance of freshness and picturesque attraction, and several expressive poems; Edward S. Rand, Jr., a pleasant and useful series of horticultural works; John Milton Mackie, two or three sprightly and graceful books of travel; and the lamented Dr. Kane, a most successful narrative of his arctic adventures. One of the most individual of the American authors who have become known to fame since the preceding record was written, is Henry D. Thoreau, intimately known and highly esteemed by a few near neighbors and friends during his life, including Emerson and Hawthorne. It is only since his death, which occurred May 7, 162, that his peculiar traits have been generally recognized through his writings. Ile aspired to a life of frugal independence and moral isolation, and carried out the desire with singular heroism and patience. Ilis experience as a hermit on the Concord River, his observant excursions to the woods of Maine, the sands of Cape Cod, and other native scenes, rarely explored by such curious and loving eyes, have a remarkable freshness of tone and fulness of detail; while on themes of a social and political nature his comments are those of a bold and ardent reformer, Few books possess a more gen Ane American scope and flavor than Thoreau's.

Gail Hamilton has become a nousehold word in New England as the nom de plume of a trenchant and graphic female essayist; and Trowbridge has gained popularity as an American story-teller. J. G. Holland has proved one of the most successful of American authors, if pecuniary results and popularity may be regarded as the test. Long engaged in the editorial charge of a New England daily newspaper, and brought into intimate contact with the people, their tastes and wants seem to have been remarkably appreciated by this prolific literary purveyor thereto. Ile has written novels, poems, lectures, and essays, founded on or directed to the wants and tendencies of life and nature in New England, and reflecting, with great authenticity, the local peculiarities, natural phases, ar characteristic qualities of the region and the people

To this list of the eminent departed must be added the names of many of our clergy who enjoyed and exerted a literary as well as religious influencesuch as Dr. Edward Hitchcock, Dr. Robinson, Francis Wayland, George Bush, Clement C. Moore, Dr. Alexander, Pise, C. W. Upham, George W. Bethune, Dr. Baird, Starr King, John Pierpont, and others, as well as several useful and respected female authors:- among them, Mrs. Caroline Kirkland, Mrs. Sigourney, Mrs. Farnham, Ilannah F. Gould, Alice B. Haven, Mrs. Emnia C. Embury, Mrs. Farrar, Miss Leslie, and Miss Maria Cummins; with a number of miscellaneous writers, whose labors illustrated special subjects, as Schoolcraft, in aboriginal bistory and ethnology. Goodrich in popular education, and Walsh and Buckingham in editorial essays; Theodore Sedgwick, Horace Mann, Hildreth, Benjamin, Choate, Kettell, Dr. Francis, Josiah Quincy, and G. L..Duyckink. During the interval which has elapsed, and notwithstanding a civil conflict of four years, unparalleled in history for patriotic self-devotion and the lavish sacrifice of life and treasure to reassert and vindicate forever the integrity of the nation, several new and important additions have been made to our catalogue of able and honored authors and of standard works in native literature. John Lothrop Motley has gained a European reputation by his History of the Dutch Republic and of the Netherlands-works of elaborate research and artistic finish, written with an earnest sympathy in the struggles of those who laid the foundations of civil and religious freedom, and with a force and grace of style both appropriate and attractive. A valuable addition to this department also is the History of New England, by John Gorham Palfrey, wherein is evident much original research and a more comprehensive and vivid treatment than had before been given to the subject. In the sphere of philol-viously quite unappreciated. A vivid sketch which ogy and economical science, George P. Marsh has Theodore Winthrop wrote of the march of the Feywritten with erudition and efficiency: his History enth Regiment from New York to Baltimore on the and Origin of the English Language, his Lec-outbreak of the rebellion, first awakened public tures on the English Language, and his treatise entitled Man and Nature have been recognized as singularly able and suggestive works on both sides of the ocean. In popular biography James Parton has won deserved distinction by the thoroughness of his investigation, and the dramatic form of his delineation; his lives of Burr, Jackson, and Franklin are read and relished by thousands. William R. Alger's History of the Doctrine of a Future Life, is the most complete, curious, and interesting work of its kind which has appeared in our country.

The Life and Letters of James Gates Percival by Julius H. Ward. Boston. Ticknor & Fields, 1866.

Although the war for the Union licited many memorable utterances in the form of Logical discussion, eloquent appeal and invective, graphie narration, and lyric pathos or power, perhaps it revealed no more interesting literary phenomena than the advent of a young writer of romance pre

attention to his spirit and skill as a raconteur; and when, a few months later, he gallantly laid down his young life for his country, the writings which had vainly sought a publisher while he lived were hailed by a host of sympathetic readers as the literary legacy of a youthful martyr. This natural reaction from indifference to eulogy was not, however, a mere tribute to valor and fealty. The chivalrous nature and artistic sympathies of Major Winthrop, his love of adventure, his narrative skill, and a certain dramatic fire, are embodied and embalmed in these volumes of travel and romance in a manner full of high literary promise and genuine personal interest.

TO ENGLISH LITERATURE.

Baillie, Joanna, 374.
Baldwyne, Richard, 84.
Bale, Bishop, 70, 112, 114.
Ballads, 67, 68, 375.
Banim. John, 450.
of Barbauld, Mrs., 373.
Barbour, 36, 55, 61.
Barclay, Robert, 185.
Barklay, Alexander, 66.
trans-Barufield, Richard, 86.
Barrow, Isaac, 254.
Barton, Bernard, 432.
Battle of Finnesburg, 26; of
Otterburne, 68.
Baxter, Richard, 184.
Bayly, Thomas Haynes,
432.

45*